The Work of Jehovah's Saints in Malawi
- Michael Hopkins
- Jan 28
- 6 min read
The Work of Jehovah's Saints in Malawi
Scriptural Foundation:"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed." — Psalm 82:3
Reported by Jehovah Saints Archbishop of Malawi Victor K Phiri.
About Mulanje District
Mulanje District, located in the southern region of Malawi, is one of the areas where Jehovah's Saints are actively working to address severe poverty and its associated challenges. The district is home to approximately 10.6 million people, most of whom live in poverty and depend heavily on subsistence agriculture and the production and sale of charcoal for survival.
Key Challenges in Mulanje District:
Severe Poverty:
The majority of the population struggles to meet basic needs, such as food, clean water, and education.
Hunger is a persistent issue, and many households face food insecurity due to poor agricultural yields and limited resources.
Scriptural Reference: "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." — Psalm 9:9
Water Crisis:
Many people in Mulanje lack access to clean water.
Women and children often travel long distances to fetch water, which takes time away from other productive activities.
Scriptural Reference: "Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." — Matthew 10:42
Education Challenges:
Children in Mulanje face significant barriers to accessing education, including:
Long distances to secondary schools (up to 6 km).
Lack of breakfast or proper nutrition, which affects their ability to learn.
High dropout rates due to poverty and harmful cultural practices.
Girls, in particular, are disproportionately affected, as traditional beliefs and practices often prioritize boys' education over girls’.
Parents frequently leave the responsibility of raising children to teachers, further complicating the education system.
Scriptural Reference: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it." — Proverbs 22:6
Harmful Cultural Practices:
Early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and disempowerment of girls and boys are common in Mulanje.
Girls are often denied access to quality education and are instead raised to be submissive and passive, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Scriptural Reference: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." — Galatians 3:28
Impact of HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS continues to devastate families in the district, leaving children orphaned and households struggling to cope with the economic and social impacts.
Scriptural Reference: "The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness." — Psalm 41:3
Gender Inequality:
Harmful beliefs and practices limit girls' access to education, economic opportunities, and political participation.
Families often sacrifice the education of girls due to cultural attitudes that prioritize boys' development.
Scriptural Reference: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." — Proverbs 31:8
The Broader Context of Malawi
Malawi, a landlocked nation in southeast Africa, faces significant challenges that affect its development and the well-being of its people.
Poverty:
Malawi ranks 174 out of 189 nations on the Human Development Index, making it one of the poorest countries in the world.
Over 50% of the population lives in poverty, with 15% experiencing extreme poverty.
The total population of Malawi is over 30 million people, the majority of whom live in rural areas.
Scriptural Reference: "Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor." — Proverbs 22:9
Health Care and Sanitation:
Many Malawians face major obstacles in accessing health care, clean water, and sanitation, particularly in rural areas like Mulanje.
Disease and poverty are closely linked, with poor sanitation and lack of clean water contributing to the spread of illnesses.
Scriptural Reference: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." — Matthew 10:8
Dependence on Agriculture:
Approximately 80% of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods.
Frequent droughts, floods, and poor soil quality make farming difficult, leaving many families struggling to produce enough food.
Scriptural Reference: "The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands." — Deuteronomy 28:12
Tourism Potential:
Despite its challenges, Malawi has potential for tourism, with attractions such as Mount Mulanje and Lake Malawi.
Lake Malawi is known for its crystal-clear waters, colorful fish, and opportunities for boating and diving.
Jehovah’s Saints’ Mission in Mulanje
The Jehovah’s Saints are committed to improving the lives of the people in Mulanje District through spiritual, social, and economic interventions.
Addressing Poverty and Hunger:
Provide food aid and support sustainable agricultural practices to improve food security.
Scriptural Reference: "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." — Isaiah 58:10
Promoting Education:
Build schools and provide resources to reduce the distance children must travel to access education.
Advocate for equal opportunities for boys and girls to attend school and succeed academically.
Scriptural Reference: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." — Matthew 19:14
Empowering Girls and Boys:
Challenge harmful cultural practices and promote gender equality through education and community engagement.
Encourage families to prioritize the education and empowerment of all children.
Scriptural Reference: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." — Genesis 1:27
Improving Access to Clean Water:
Develop clean water projects to reduce the burden of fetching water and improve sanitation.
Scriptural Reference: "They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water." — Isaiah 49:10
Providing Spiritual Support:
Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to bring hope and healing to the people of Mulanje.
Scriptural Reference: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free." — Luke 4:18
The work of Jehovah’s Saints in Mulanje District is rooted in their faith and commitment to serving the poor, empowering communities, and sharing the love of Christ. By addressing the challenges of poverty, education, gender inequality, and access to basic needs, they aim to bring lasting change to the people of Mulanje and beyond.
Scriptural Encouragement:"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9
Conclusion: Join Us in Bringing Hope to the Homeless
At Jehovah Saints, we are committed to being the hands and feet of Christ by providing safe shelters, warm meals, and hope to those in need. Our mission to build homeless shelters around the world is inspired by Jesus’ words: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
This is more than just a project—it’s a movement of love, compassion, and transformation. With your support, we can expand this mission and provide a place of refuge for countless individuals and families who are struggling. Together, we can make a difference and shine the light of Christ in the darkest corners of the world.
How You Can Help:
Pray for our mission and for the homeless communities we serve.
Spread the Word by sharing this initiative with your friends, family, and church community.
Donate to help us build more shelters and provide essential resources for those in need.
Every donation, no matter how big or small, brings us one step closer to changing lives. Click the button below to make a contribution and be part of this life-changing mission.
Thank you for your generosity and for standing with Jehovah Saints as we answer God’s call to care for the homeless. Together, we can build not only shelters but also hope, dignity, and a brighter future for those in need.
God bless you!
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