Beginning from Jerusalem
The Bible tells us that we should start showing good works to the people around us. It even states that we should clean our houses first before we go out of it. This is exactly what HHI Mission Women are doing. This grouping of women formed in 1992 assists vulnerable people living within the Blantyre Synod campus. Recently they have started reaching out beyond the synod. JAMES CHIMPWEYA talked to the chairperson of the group Mary Mchilima.
Tell us why you decided to form this group?
This group started as Ministers Wives Group but later we changed the name to HHI MISSION WOMEN GROUP to accommodate every woman at the Synod campus. The group was formed after we saw the need for oneness at the synod campus. When people are staying at one place, they have to support and assist each other. We assist each other in times of bereavement, illness, and even in celebrations. Even Jesus Christ told his disciples to start preaching from Jerusalem where they were coming from.
We have started with the Synod Mission campus before going out. We do have elections every year. We do have Bible studies and good Christian family teachings. Through such teachings we have seen the tremendous growth of membership. This does not mean the ministers’ wives are out of this, we are with them but they do not take leading roles.
You have told us that this group is supporting people living at the Blantyre Synod Mission Campus, then why are you here at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital?
We have come here at QECH to cheer and assist the vulnerable sick children in Umoyo and Surgical wards. When we said that we are at the Mission Campus it does not mean that we cannot go somewhere else and assist other less privileged groups. We have been also assisting some orphanages apart from those at the Synod Mission Campus. Our coming here shows the growth of the group and its strength.
Where do you get funds to support your programmes?
As a grouping of 35 members we do have monthly contributions of K200 each. With this money we are able to support our programmes though the amount seems to be little. But some well wishers also assist us. For example when we were planning for this exercise, we had a ‘Mock Fundraising Wedding’ where we raised K108, 000 (about $360). With this money we have managed to buy some items for this event worth K100, 000 (about $330).
What are your future plans as a group?
Currently we have started contributions for the Mother’s Day Retreat to the lake on Mother’s Day. For this trip each members has been asked to contribute K5, 000 (about $16). Prior to this trip we will have a fundraising event called ‘Bring a Dish luncheon’ to be held at the Synod Mission campus. During this day we will have tradition food like chisoso, mamuna ali gone, therere, mang’ina, nsima ya mgaiwa, and many more at only K1, 000 (about $3) per meal.
