Saturday, March 21

Malawi Support Group to close


The latest letter from Fr Taylor informed our small group his mission is ending in Malawi as he has handed over effective control to a local group of parishioners. If you would like to read his letter to me it is posted to the Malawi Support Group which is shown on the sidebar.   

The good news is St Kizito’s (Chigoneka) Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe at the end of last year was able to purchase an office complex for additional income generation, to support needy educational scholarships in the outlying parishes. This marks yet another milestone in a community we have been supporting for the past 24 years as she moves towards becoming more self-sufficient. St Kizito acts as the hub in order to support the needy in the outlying 5 very poor parishes.  

In his letter Fr Taylor mentions his retirement and suggested we also bring to a close the Support Group as we both move on. In a nutshell our small group has resolved to close the charity by the end of the June financial year. Parishioners and outside supporters can be justifiably pleased we are concluding on a high note, having provided $127,000 over the past 24 years.  This modest support has in no small way transformed the facilities in the respective outlying poorer parishes. In Australian dollar terms it would be the equivalent of infrastructure works being carried out here, in many of the years, of well in excess of a million dollars in each year. What that has taught me over the years is very little goes a long way in Malawi. In Malawian Kwach’s the total exceeds $500 million.
I am also now deeply convinced that we are all, more than ever, part of a global village, and sharing in the gifts and stories of respective communities is one of a number of vital planks, with education funding the key, as the way to make real progress.       
I plan to provide a final update in June to thank everybody, when we celebrate the feast day of St Kizito, to also announce the formal closure of the charity. At our website we have a history and information stretching back to the early days should that be of interest, which you can read by clicking on the Malawi blog.       

  

3 comments:

♥ N o v a said...

Hi, Lindsay. Were you anticipating the closure of this support group, or did this come as a surprise? I know that this has been a part of you for so long. The end of anything, especially of something so cherished, can be difficult.

I read of our dear Gary's passing. I was sorry to read of it, and even more sorry that I found out just recently. Although I had never met him in person, he and I would send each other Christmas cards, and we had often talked of meeting in person whenever he would visit New York. My condolences to you as well - the world lost a beautiful soul. I know he is illuminating the heavens with all the brilliance he carried inside of him. xx

Lindsay Byrnes said...

Hi, Nova,
I wasn’t anticipating the closure of the Support Group and it did come as a surprise. As you say it has been an integral part of my life, attending well over 400 functions, giving talks to the schoolchildren, meetings etc. over the 24 years. There remain lots of fond memories and sadly of those who have died. Still, many of the original members remain and we will probably arrange to have a Whist card night next year to ensure we all stay in touch.
As you know I met Gary and Anna in person when they visited Australia and stayed with us. It was a particularly joyous occasion, since the experience was just as I expected, but even more so as his calming presence was very evident to my wife, just as I am sure it would have been the case for you.

I love you final words. The world lost a beautiful soul. I know he is illuminating the heavens with all the brilliance he carried inside of him.
Best wishes

Rachael Byrnes said...

This is an amazing achievement! Albert Schweitzer would be proud! Must be a bit sad to see the end of an era but it's been an wonderful contribution to a community that needed it.