Malawi
Our links with Malawi stretch back to 2005, although our partnership was not formalised until 2007. The opportunity for a partnership with Engcongolweni Church (a member of the Central Church of Africa Presbyterian – CCAP) came about through a contact one of Dalgety’s elders had with the Engcongolweni area.
Dalgety Parish Church has always had positive support for Outreach and World Mission involvement and this contact was a good opportunity to explore further the idea of partnership. At the same time as the Church was exploring this opportunity, it persuaded Donibristle Primary School to link with Engcongolweni Primary School. The net results of these contacts was a visit by a combined Church and School group in July 2008, with a reciprocal visit being made by our Malawi counterparts in September 2009, resulting in a Bond of Friendship being signed by Dalgety Bay Community Council and the Engcongolweni community leaders. Subsequent to that, Dalgety Bay Primary School has now established a link with Kaluhoro school, in Engcongolweni.
At the request of the local Church and community leaders, Dalgety Parish Church raised funds to renovate the Engcongolweni Church building and install electricity and also raised funds to build a new Church House, to act as both a manse and community meeting place. However, the partnership agreement is not just about material support; it is also concerned with development of our faith and trying to address spiritual issues within both congregations. It relies heavily on exchange of information, prayer topics, suggestions for worship, and aspects of global citizenship…
As part of our continuing social response to the gospel, Dalgety Parish Church has responded to another appeal by the local community to have a supply of clean water. Currently, brackish water (i.e. very high in mineral salts) is supplied through a borehole which is prone to drying up during the dry season and breaking down. This water is used for drinking, cooking, washing…etc, although it gives rise to many water-related illnesses and leads to increased absenteeism at the primary school and to between 5 – 7 deaths of infants and children each year. Not having clean water also restricts economic activity.
As a result of the 2008 visit, some Church members were instrumental in setting up a charity to target members of the Dalgety community not associated with the Church. Dalgety Bay Friends of Engcongolweni is now working closely with the Church in the provision of water to the Engcongolweni area. Also helping us is Inchbrayock Parish Church, Montrose which is fund-raising for our water project.
The project is going to cost in the region of £42,000, of which half has so far been raised. It is planned to apply for suitable grants while continuing with our fundraising activities.
