Timvane Community Centre

While on our first visit to Malawi, when we were leaving Chipagala village, we noticed a large stack of bricks with grass growing through them. We were told they had been assembled there three years ago to build a Children’s Centre in the village, but there was no money to buy the other supplies to complete the project. We decided this would be a good project for New St. James and we hoped to raise the money to send to Malawi within a year. We were thrilled that we were able to send the cheque six months later.

The project was completed in the spring of 2011 and we were invited for the official opening of the centre in the fall of that year. They are thrilled to have the centre which is being used seven days a week. This generates income to cover some of the operating costs, which is essential so that it can become self-sustaining.

Timvane has a current enrolment of 82 children between the ages of 3 and 5. Thirteen children graduated from the program in July and are now enrolled in the Mount Moriah School. These children are allowed to attend the school without paying any fees because they are orphans. New St. James continues to send funds every three months to provide a daily meal of porridge. This ensures many of the children have one meal per day.
 
The land we purchased for the Centre will be cultivated this fall and hopefully they will be able to grow some maize this season.