cornerstoneministriesmalawi

Exciting Announcement: Introducing New Camp Leaders at Cornerstone Ministries Malawi!

By Fyness Phiri.

Last week we were blessed with the addition of five outstanding young individuals to our camp leadership team at Cornerstone Ministries Malawi. Kevious Stonard, Lonjezo Isale, Priscilla Felix, Nomsa Mwitha, and Esther Mokowa have recently joined our dedicated group, bringing fresh energy and talent to our mission.

Our camp leaders, typically recent secondary school graduates awaiting university, undergo thorough training and mentorship during their tenure with us. Through character-building workshops, leadership development activities, and faith integration sessions, they acquire essential skills and values crucial for effective leadership and service.

In his welcoming address, our Director Danneck Falinya expressed gratitude for the commitment of these young leaders. He drew parallels to the biblical story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3, highlighting the profound impact that dedication to service can have on society.

*The new camp leaders pose outside our premises.*

Danneck emphasized the significance of their arrival, noting that each leader brings a unique blend of skills and qualities, enriching our team and empowering us to better serve our campers. With their guidance, our children will flourish academically, spiritually, and personally, aligning with our mission to make a lasting impact on young lives.

Kevious, one of our new camp leaders, shared his excitement for the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to the educational and spiritual development of our campers. Likewise, Nomsa Mwitha conveyed her enthusiasm for joining our community, eager to delve into discussions on education, faith, and personal growth as we strive to transform lives for Christ, one child at a time.

With the addition of Nomsa, Kevious, Lonjezo, Priscilla, and Esther, we are confident in the positive influence they will exert on our community. Together, we embark on this journey, filled with learning, growth, and joy. Join us in extending a warm welcome to our new leaders and embracing the exciting chapter ahead as we continue our mission of transforming lives for Christ, one child at a time!

Sustainable Solutions: Cornerstone Ministries’ Maize Milling Initiative

by Fyness Phiri

In the heart of Nthenga Village, a community where Cornerstone Ministries Malawi has dedicated itself to serving for the last decade, a significant transformation has unfolded with the establishment of our Maize Mill project near Cornerstone Christian High School. This venture, in partnership with Voices Awake, embodies our commitment to sustainability and self-reliance, ensuring that our programs are not solely reliant on donor support but are also income-generating endeavours.

The Maize Mill stands as a beacon of economic empowerment for the community, offering more than just milling services. It serves as a catalyst for local entrepreneurship and income generation. Families no longer need to travel long distances to mill their maize; instead, they can utilize the services of the Maize Mill, contributing to its sustainability while also meeting their own needs.

This income-generating activity not only reduces our dependence on external funding but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride within the community. By actively participating in the operation and management of the Maize Mill, community members become stakeholders in their own development, furthering our mission of sustainable impact.

Furthermore, the revenue generated from the Maize Mill is reinvested into Cornerstone Ministries’ programs and initiatives, ensuring their continued growth and effectiveness. Whether it’s supporting educational scholarships, community development projects, or other outreach efforts, the income from the Maize Mill plays a vital role in sustaining our organization’s mission and impact.

As stated by Cornerstone Director Danneck Falinya, the primary aim of the mill is to uplift the local community. Previously, villagers were required to journey nearly a kilometre to have their maize flour milled. With the introduction of this new establishment, however, that distance has been drastically reduced, resulting in a notable enhancement in accessibility.

A selection of photos during the launch of the maize meal in October 2023.

As we journey further into the year 2024, the Maize Mill stands as a testament to Cornerstone Ministries Malawi’s innovative approach to sustainable development. By harnessing the power of entrepreneurship and community engagement, we are not only transforming lives but also building a more resilient and self-reliant future for Nthenga Village and beyond.

To support Cornerstone Ministry Malawi’s programs, you can make your donation here:

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Cornerstone Ministries Malawi: After School Empowerment and Mentoring Program

By Fyness Phiri

Last Friday, October 27th, we kicked off an exciting journey with our After School Empowerment and Mentorship Program here at Cornerstone Ministries. It was truly heartwarming to witness the enthusiasm and eagerness of the young minds eager to embrace self-improvement and community empowerment.

Our primary mission through this program is to instil confidence and equip our After School kids with the essential skills to confront and overcome the challenges within their communities. Moreover, we are committed to nurturing their potential and guiding them toward a purposeful life at a tender age.

This program is specially tailored for girls aged 11 and above and boys aged 12 and above. We’ve chosen these age groups because they are either in or on the brink of adolescence. These enlightening sessions will take place every other Friday.

Our mentors for these sessions are none other than the dedicated camp leaders who also contribute their knowledge and skills to our after-school program. It’s worth noting that some of these mentors were once participants in our after-school program, and they have now progressed to college, while others are preparing to follow in their footsteps.

Our vision extends far and wide as we aspire to reach as many children as possible through this program, with the sincere intent of transforming their lives. To accomplish this, we plan to invite professionals to address crucial topics such as stress management and other life challenges. Additionally, we will provide essential resources like sanitary pads to ensure the well-being and hygiene of the children.

At Cornerstone Ministries, we take immense joy in witnessing the growth and development of these children as they evolve into empowered individuals within their communities. Our curriculum covers a wide array of subjects, from personal hygiene to stress management, and even an introduction to the world of art.

Our After School Empowerment and Mentorship Program is fundamentally about bolstering the confidence of these young minds, enabling them to tackle the hurdles they encounter within their communities. We are steadfast in our commitment to nurturing their growth and equipping them with the knowledge and tools they require to flourish in life. We are genuinely excited to witness these promising individuals evolve into resilient and empowered contributors to their communities.

Staying The Course: Reflections on the 2023 Urban Promise International Malawi Summit

Over the weekend, the staff and camp leaders from Cornerstone Ministries Malawi and other sister ministries gathered at African Bible College in Lilongwe to participate in the 2023 Urban Promise International Summit. Themed “Staying the Course,” this enriching three-day event, organized by Urban Promise International, aimed to provide unwavering support and empowerment to staff members serving in diverse ministries, ensuring their steadfast commitment even amidst challenges.

Dr. Bruce Main, the founder, and president of Urban Promise International, emphasized the profound significance of sharing love, hope, and meaning. He passionately encouraged all attendees to actively demonstrate love, offer hope, and create meaningful experiences for others.

UPI President Dr. Bruce Main speaking during the 2023 UPI Summit.

At the summit, Mr. Rocky Kaunda delivered an engaging and thought-provoking session on “Calling and Talent in Non-Profit Organizations.” His address shed light on the crucial understanding of one’s personal calling and how even the simplest actions, such as utilizing our spiritual gifts, can make a transformative difference in the world.

Another remarkable presentation was delivered by Mr. Charles Gwengwe, focusing on the vital skills necessary to be a great manager of people. Gwengwe emphasized the importance of embracing our individual uniqueness and fostering an inclusive environment that respects the value of every person. He urged attendees to offer opportunities to others, recognizing their potential to achieve remarkable feats. Drawing inspiration from Matthew 4:17, Gwengwe highlighted the exemplary servant leadership of Jesus Christ, which empowers and uplifts others.

The insightful perspective shared by Gwengwe was aligned with the valuable perception presented by Pastor Dr. Felix Nyika, who delved into the topic of “Personal Growth and Development.” Dr. Nyika emphasized the paramount importance of prioritizing the interests and well-being of those being served, placing them above the personal interests of leaders.

Cornerstone and Voices Awake teams at the summit.

The summit encompassed a diverse range of topics, including profound discussions on love, meaning, and hope led by Dr. Bruce Main, insightful insights on early childhood education shared by Dr. Clement Mapanje, an exploration of positive influence by Harry Cohan, invaluable insights into leadership by Mindy and Harry, and an exploration of the qualities of exceptional classroom teachers by Husein Latif.

The summit provided a unique opportunity for workers from eleven UPI affiliate ministries situated in Salima, Lilongwe, Blantyre, Dowa, and Ntchisi in Malawi to convene and collaborate. These influential ministries include Voices Awake, Love Driven Ministries, Cornerstone Ministries, Young and Empowered, Rays of Hope, Seeds of Promise, Life Coaching Ministries, Good Promise, Mercy Care, Youth Care, and Ntchisi Private Secondary School. Additionally, a dedicated team from Holman in the United States joined this significant event, further enhancing the international scope of the summit.

Urban Promise International, a distinguished global nonprofit organization, operates in over 11 countries with 38 ministries worldwide. The organization’s pivotal mission revolves around equipping emerging leaders to establish and sustain Christian-based youth development organizations, providing vital support to vulnerable children and teenagers in under-resourced communities.

Empowering Dreams: BGSU Team Ignites Hope in Salima

by Fyness Phiri.

In an inspiring display of love, a team of students from Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in the United States recently made a tremendous impact on the community of Salima by partnering with Cornerstone Ministries Malawi. Over five days, the BGSU team-built relationships and provided essential support to Cornerstone High School and the After School program.

Chien Phuoc and Ben Lawson interacting with students

On Monday, the BGSU team’s heart-warming gesture brought smiles to deserving students at Cornerstone High School. The team generously purchased five bicycles to be gifted to selected students as a symbol of encouragement and empowerment. The bicycles will improve the students’ mobility and help them access educational opportunities, inspiring other students to pursue their goals with renewed determination.

In addition, the BGSU team sponsored school uniforms for several learners participating in the After School program, fostering a sense of pride and belonging within the school community and ensuring the students have the resources to engage fully in their studies.

Students beaming with smiles after receiving their bicycle gifts.

Cornerstone Ministries Malawi expresses deep gratitude to the BGSU team for their selfless efforts and commitment to improving the lives of the students they encountered. Their visit left a spark of hope and inspiration, reminding everyone that small acts of kindness can make a profound and lasting impact.

As the students ride their new bicycles and proudly wear their school uniforms, the memory of the BGSU team’s visit will continue to inspire and uplift the community of Cornerstone Ministries Malawi for years to come. The non-profit organization looks forward to continuing this cross-cultural collaboration to provide much-needed support to the local community and its students.

Welcome to our final term at Cornerstone Christian High School

On Monday, we kicked off the third term for the 2022-2023 academic school calendar; welcoming 371 students and 17 teachers back. A wonderful highlight of the new term is the addition of the teaching staff; six student teachers from Mzuzu University. We hope and pray that we provide an excellent opportunity for these young educators to gain valuable hands-on experience in the classroom while also contributing to the educational success of our students at Cornerstone Christian High School students.

_{Our student teachers from Mzuzu University.}

Among the joys of the new term, we are delighted that in collaboration with Voices Awake, we have managed to access support for 56 students under our sponsorship program. Under this support, there are 31 girls in boarding school and 25 students under Tuition support. This support helps us in our pursuit of providing a holistic education that builds character, with the aim of developing well-rounded responsible youths who will grow to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

As the new terms continue, we would like to thank our staff, friends, supporters, and parents for enabling us to educate our youngsters. With the start of the third term, we are looking forward to another successful period of teaching and learning, and to seeing its students thrive and be a difference in our world.

Stronger Together

Our After-School program Director, Tionge Matangula reflects on the effects of COVID-19 on our work and ministry and the strives we are making to help our kids.

Since schools closed in March, Cornerstone Afterschool program was not spared, we also closed our daily operations so that we could protect our children from being infected by the virus.

While we had very good intentions in closing, to prevent them from infections; our kids have met a number of challenges. For instance, most homes have inadequate food supplies; making many of them suffer from hunger. In addition, some kids are being subjected to various abuses in the homes. Others are being subjected to emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse. Furthermore, some of our children have embarked on street vending so that they can get their daily meal. Such acts have even led to more kids facing abuse in the streets.

**Our ASP Director, Tionge standing with one of the beneficiaries of our COVID-19 emergency relief aid program**

To try and address, Cornerstone has come up with number of interventions. The first intervention was to provide psychosocial support to the children. The idea is to hear the challenges they encounter in the streets, homes and different places and provide appropriate counselling and spiritual support.

Secondly, the ministry has distributed soap and food packages to over 150 families to ease the pressure parents are experiencing due to loss of jobs and businesses. The last intervention was the distribution of start-up packages to our camp leaders who work with the children. We gave them the packages that they could start small businesses, which could see them through the pandemic. It is encouraging to note that most of these teens started food businesses which have enabled them to earn some money to buy their basic needs.

Cornerstone Ministries has unswervingly spoken words that have brought hope to the kids and youths during this pandemic in our community. The acts of kindness the ministry reaffirmed their daily talk that we are in this together and we are going to come out stronger together because, since we trust in a God who has the whole world in His hands.

Join our efforts and reach out to kids and youths affected by COVID-19 by donating here:

https://www.urbanpromiseinternational.org/cornerstone

Thank you for blessing our staff

With COVID-19 pandemic of schools has disturbed the lives of our staff and their families. Nevertheless, our staff managed to smile a week ago when they each received a little but lasting gift.

Courtesy of Ladner Baptist Church, we managed to give a 50kg of maize to each of them.

Speaking after receiving her gift, one of our camp leaders, Holiness Kamtsokwe said the donation has come as an amazing grace to her life: “Since the closure of schools, our small business where we sell food items hasn’t been going on well and we have been struggling to make ends meet, but the food that we have received today will help us smile again”, she joyfully commented.

Our camp leaders standing with their bags of maize

As a ministry, we are grateful to Ladner Baptist Church for helping us be the hands and feet of Jesus to people who serve our kids with so much love and diligence.

Responding in Time of Need – The Joy of Sharing

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit every part of the world, and Cornerstone hasn’t been spared. In Malawi, government ordered the closure of schools in March. Since then, our students have been struggling, not just because of the academic depravity, closure of schools also coincided with closure of most business enterprises, a source of income for most parents.

Before COVID-19, most kids relied on our After-School Feeding program for their daily meal, the pandemic has worsened their situation. Parents cannot provide for the children since they have no means of earning income, and sadly, their only source of hope, Cornerstone, has its doors closed.

To ease their mystery, with the help of our friends and partners last week, we invited more than 100 families of our kids to share with them a gift of food to support them during this COVID-19 period.

As the families are struggling, we believe our little help will go a long way in easing their pain. For our Director Danneck Falinya, he was short of words at the gratitude shown by the beneficiaries: “We are living in very unprecedented times, and such aid has come at a time when everyone is hopeless. This donation to our community members has preached the Gospel of Christ, that’s being a response in times of need. We are grateful to all our partners who have given towards the donations”, said Danneck.

The donation packages that included: 25 Kg of maize flour, a pack of beans, laundry tablets and some groceries were distributed to over 150 families of our kids and other needy community members.

To give towards our Emergency relief fund, please donate here:

https://www.urbanpromiseinternational.org/cornerstone

Thank you for providing us with light

By Chikondi Chabakha.

It is such a great lift to have solar power at our campus… It is like a dream.

Electricity has transformed our school in more ways than I could describe in one paragraph. Every day we are singing the song of transformation, not only of the lives of our students but also of the improvement of the teaching process itself. Gone are the days when computer lessons would end whenever laptops ran out of power. Again, gone are the days when teachers would miss a few minutes of their lessons because they had to briefly step out of the campus to charge their phones. As if that’s not enough, power on our campus has improved the learning condition of students with sight challenges, because the classrooms have proper lighting all day. And due to the same lighting blessings, so many students could study till 10pm at night, especially those who stay near the school. One would lightly say that our school has become a light oasis.

The CCHS Principal admiring the newly lit Science laboratory

We can foresee a great improvement in the grades of our students in this coming term. On top of that our administrative operations run more efficiently now because we can charge our laptops. Previously all the work that needed the computer would only be done during the first three hours of the day because that’s how long our laptop would store power. I can’t be more grateful for the luxury of working late. It’s been so exciting to the point that one day I knocked off at 10:00 pm. This development still feels like a dream to this day. We are so grateful to God for blessing us through you our friends and partners.

*Chikondi is the Principal at Cornerstone Christian High School.