Dear Friends of the Malawi Ministry Team:

I'm glad I can get back to you with some recent project news.  Our team and congregation have been busy with good results!

WORLD AIDS DAY

Our November, 27th World AIDS Day Concert was well-received and raised a total of $3000 for the project.  Highlights of the concert included 6-year-old Christian Hakim playing a Bach piece on his violin.  Thanks for using your talent in the service of others, Christian. (You really live up to your name!)

MARCH FUNDRAISERS

On March 11th, our Concert and Silent Auction to benefit a new breakfast program for the Nthandizi Public School Children was held.  With the help of many talented artists, craftspeople, bakers, chefs, singers and instrumentalists, as well as many generous donors of services and items, we raised a grand total of $5035!  The concert featured many of Robin Sellati's voice students who sang with energy and heart!

BREAKFAST PROGRAM

Reports from Nthandizi indicate that the program will begin very soon in all three elementary schools n the Nthandizi region serving all children 1st grade to 3rd grade.  Parents and guardians will take turns cooking the fortified breakfast porridge, the students will collect the firewood, and the project will be administered by the local project committee using the funds we have sent.

FRANKLIN GRANT/HIGH-YIELD SEED

The remainder of the Franklin Foundation grant, $1500, will be used to purchase high-yield seed so that the villagers in the area can plant a second round of "maize" (corn) in May after their first harvest is brought in.  There will be needs for irrigation for crops during the dry season.  Perhaps another church or charity group will want tot take this on as a project!  This corn should be growing by August when our mission team arrives in Malawi.

MISSION TRIP

At this moment, our mission team for an August trip will include Andrew Pappas (a film-making student at Keene State University) who will document the trip on film.  Lisa Canas (an APRN working in student health at University of Hartford) and MaryAnn (a Master of Divinity student at Andover Newton and member of South Congregrational Church in South Glastonbury.)  Mary Ann has visited Malawi before and will lead this trip.

TRAVEL EXPENSES

We will be helping the travelers to raise the funds they will need for this trip as the expense will be significant.  More to follow.

BOTTLE AND CAN RECEIPT COLLECTION

People are "pledging" their Stop and Shop deposit bottle and can receipts to the support of the project.  Would you consider pledging?  Receipts can be dropped off at the church office or put in the MMT mail slot in the church parlor.

THANK YOU

Thank you to all who support the ministry in a variety of ways, from donating cans and bottles to making gift baskets for the auction to buying the AIDS pin. 

"We are Christ's disciples living God's word together"