Hello everyone,

I was privileged to be invited to Blantyre Synod at the end of February for a couple of days to discuss with their Education Secretary about Early Childhood Development in their synod.  I met with Rev Moyenda Kanjerwa, the Deputy General Secretary and was treated like a queen for the few days I was there.  It was lovely to see what is happening in another synod and also to have good discussions with the Education Secretary!

Rev M Kanjerwa

I kept bumping into past students of Zomba Theological College which was so nice, to hear stories of what they are doing now and where they are serving.  I spent a morning with Rev Dennis Mulele who is the Youth Director in the synod.  We had some good conversation as we went to visit two of Blantyre Synod's early childhood programmes.

Rev Dennis Mulele

I visited Orbus which is funded by the Presbyterian church of Australia.  Of course they had a great location and wonderful buildings, but I was so disappointed to see so many young children having no play materials, but instead being forced to write!  This is a similar story all across Malawi though!

At Chifundo 2 a similar story - lots of children, no play materials but at least they had porridge!

I was taken to Mulanje but it bucketed with rain the whole day and so we could barely see the majestic mountain.  We did manage to buy some pineapples though!

Back home and we continue our training programme in our CCAP International Pre-school on Friday afternoons with the teachers.  They really are quite knowledgeable if only they had the confidence to show it!!

We had four zonal meetings in March where Nicolas, Gerrie and myself were facilitating! The synod is divided into 4 zones and we met our trainers from each zone at each meeting!  The first meeting was Livingstonia zone which was held in Rumphi!

I was glad to arrive safely as the road was quite treacherous - this was when we were coming home and it had dried up a lot!  I was very thankful to get home safely!

An activity showing children the water cycle!

The second meeting was in Bandawe zone and it was held in Mzuzu.

Then we travelled to Nkhamenya to meet with Lilongwe zone!

 And finally to Mzimba to meet with Loudon Zone.

I must admit I was tired after all the travelling and all the talking and I am glad they are over.  This coming week I am busy again with a Early Childhood Board meeting which I have to organise....no rest for the wicked!

I am thankful that with all our travelling we had safe journeys and a good time of fellowship with all our trainers.

Of course our focus at all these training meetings is the child and how we can assist the young children of Malawi in their development.  We had no shortage of kids to pose for us in the various locations!

Wishing you all a blessed week,

Diane