Working in The Province of Central Africa

(Includes Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabawe)

Spanning four countries, the Province of Central Africa is a diverse and interesting region. There are many Mothers' Union members, and many projects reaching out in the community to show care for families.

Literacy

Since Mothers' Union Literacy Development Programme (MULDP) began in Malawi it has grown from strength to strength and now operates in remote rural villages, lakeside communities and inner city slums. In each place the need is the same, women in desperate need of literacy skills because of their marginalised status in society that prevented many of them from going to school.

The programme is now operating in all four dioceses in Malawi after the programme expanded into Lake Malawi, Southern Malawi and Upper Shire in 2004. Originally it was only piloted in Northern Malawi in 2000.

One of the key methods of introducing literacy into a community is the use of discussion. Each session is started with the facilitator asking everyone in the circle to decide what they want to discuss.

Discussion is a tool used to get everyone joining in and participating, sharing their ideas, knowledge and experience. The use of discussion is important because it really develops and helps build the confidence of the learners. Literacy circles are a good way for learners to voice their opinions in a safe environment. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and although not everyone agrees it is the process of being able to discuss that is key. For the majority it is the first time that they are able to get their thoughts heard. In many African societies women are not allowed to speak in public and anything they might want to say has to be voiced through the husband or other male relative.

Although the learners may not have had an education they still have a valuable wealth of knowledge and experience. Attitudes towards them are changing because of the programme. Women now use their newfound skills and confidence to work together to improve the conditions of their daily lives.

"We are learning many things from this circle. We know how to read and write, we know how to care for our health. This circle has bought development into our area of Embangweni." Patilisher Banda, Northern Malawi.

The MULDP has accredited over 1000 learners literate and numerate and many more will be joining them as the programme expands into new areas in Malawi.

Learners in Mazinga are discussing local diseases prevalent among them and their families. They have identified those linked to lack of sanitation and are planning to build latrines in the village. They are also looking at reproductive health issues and the importance of spacing children for the health benefits of both mother and children.

They have learnt about and discussed different methods of family spacing available from the health clinic and the cultural and social implications. Other groups have improved the profit on their fish selling business, now they can calculate costs and profits.

Other Projects

In Malawi, local projects take the form of a tuck-shop and a small local bakery, which is situated at the Mothers' Union headquarters. Mothers' Union members are employed in both projects, therefore creating employment alongside raising funds. This year 33 fruit tree seedlings - including oranges, tangerines, mangoes, peaches, guavas and avocado pearls - have been planted by members in a small plot of land donated by the diocese. There are plans to plant more if more funds become available.

The diocese also runs 'Orphan Care' projects where orphans and the aged are cared for in their own homes. The orphans are sometimes taken to church where they are given food and other basic needs are provided such as bedding, clothing and soap. Members are also paying schools fees for an orphaned local boy.

In Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia, many other MU projects benefit the community.

Zimbabwe
There are approximately 17,500 Mothers' Union members in Zimbabwe. Mary Sumner House are supporting five Mothers' Union workers in Zimbabwe with annual salary and travel payments. Each diocese (Central Zimbabwe, Harare, Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabelelend) has one Mothers' Union worker. Grants from Mary Sumner House have previously funded, among other things, a leadership training in Manicaland and equipment for the Mothers' Union office in Central Zimbabwe.

Mothers' Union workers send a yearly report of their activities to Mary Sumner House. The workers are involved in community support and development work with vulnerable groups, being mainly widows and orphans. Project work and training events have been organised and implemented to assist people in the community. The diocese of Central Zimbabwe are running a vegetable growing project and a poultry project for Mothers' Union members.

Mothers' Union are also working with those affected by HIV/AIDS, in a variety of different ways. Mothers' Union have held trainings in bereavement and care of the sick. Orphans are also supported with food, shelter and clothes. In some instances, Mothers' Union are helping orphans with school fees.

Mothers' Union workers can apply to Mary Sumner House for grants towards projects, trainings and equipment.

See our Manicaland Diocese in Zimbabwe:
http://www.anglicandioceseofmanicaland.co.zw/mothersu/

And the diocesan website for Southern Malawi
http://www.angsoma.org.mw/