St. John’s parishioners first met Fr. Francis Matumba in 2004 during a visit to an AIDS support organization operated by him in Malawi’s central region. Since then, St. John’s parishioners visited him twice, once while he was the rector of St. John’s, Salima in 2011 and again in 2013 when he worked for the Anglican Diocese of Central Malawi. He has visited and preached at St. John’s on three different occasions, most recently in the fall of 2018. St. John’s parishioners helped fund the launch of the “Goats for Girls” Education Program and banana farm, described below. Please see Francis’ report on the use of funds.
AGAPE FARM MINISRTY IN SALIMA, MALAWI
The word “Agape” was deliberately chosen as it signifies the unconditional love of God regardless of one’s status in society. Agape Farms provide orphans and vulnerable children with educational opportunities, food, and clothing as well as teaches income-generating skills to women. We raise goats and cultivate corn and bananas.
GOATS FOR GIRLS EDUCATION
This program began in 2018 and covers all costs for 25 girls to attend four years of high school. The income generated from breeding and selling the goats covers the cost of tuition (Malawi public high schools are not free), uniforms, shoes, school supplies, and hygienic materials. Twice a week, the girls visit Agape to share meals and receive Math and English tutoring. The gatherings build a sense of community and identity with the ministry.
St. John’s parishioners supported 12 of these girls ($300/student) who will graduate in 2022.
AGRICULTURE
We planted 1,500 banana trees this past summer, a great addition to our corn crops! We serve the bananas to the children, women, and farm workers as well as sell them to obtain income to support our programs.
In April, 2022, we received $4,500 from St. John’s parishioners to purchase, transport, and plant the banana trees, fertilize them, and install pipes for a new irrigation project for which we seek funds.