MacBean, Thole launch children’s songbook
Etiny Thole and music teacher Ruth MacBean launched a songbook which has the potential to teach children to read and write music as they grow up.
The two unveiled Ananu Ziimbani—a collection of numbers from Hymns for Malawi, Nyimbo za Mulungu and Sumu za Ukhristu—in Blantyre on Sunday.
The hymns were originally written in English, Chichewa and Chitumbuka.
MacBean has been involved in children’s ministry in Blantyre since she arrived from the United Kingdom in 2014.
In an interview, she said Ananu Ziimbani comes after discovering that children in churches needed a songbook of their own.
“This is why my friend Etiny and I began compiling the songs. Some are old and others are new. The book will help the children of Malawi to put God’s word on their lips and encourage them to sing,” she explained.
Her co-author said the songs that children were singing in church were mainly not meant for them and their spiritual growth.
“We wanted to provide them with spiritual songs corresponding to their age. Therefore, the book will contribute towards evangelising children in the country,” said Thole, 63.
Different children choirs performed at the book launch as MacBean, 54, played the keyboard.
The book, published by Claim, contains 146 songs with corresponding Bible verses and staff notation on how to sing them.
Blantyre Baptist, St Michael & All Angels, Ndirande Anglican and Ndirande Zambezi Evangelical teamed up for the launch.
Thole is part of the Child Evangelism Fellowship Ministry while MacBean, 64, works as a church development partner at Zambezi Mission.
She has been a music tutor for 30 years in the UK and plays the keyboard and pianos. n
