About

IN THE BEGINNING:

The ministry was birthed out of a strong calling, an urge to use every opportunity available to minister to the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of people of various ages and economic levels.

Speaking and doing workshops in various settings, churches and schools, allowed me to share the gospel, and to teach about inner healing, stress management and many other topics. Meanwhile, I became more and more aware of the needs of children and families in the inner city where I worked in the school system. From the funds I was able to raise by selling my needlework items I was soon had enough monies to assist in a number of ways, including clothing for children whose families had lost everything in fires or evictions, and assisting with other needs of many of the children in our homeless population. Working closely with the school’s program for homeless and displaced children, with the partnership of others, I was able to share resources that were of great assistance to that program.

In 2001, as a member of the Faith Tabernacle Outreach Ministries team, I took my first trip to Malawi and was touched by the dire poverty and the immense needs of the people. Feeling driven to help in some ways, I consulted with the host pastor, Dr. M. P. Mbewe, and learned of the dire needs of the then CFC Primary School. This was the fulfillment of a dream I had as a teenager that I would do missions work in Africa. Almost forty years later, I had arrived and the work was waiting for me. Since that time, hearing the Voice of God say, “This is it”, our ministry has been committed to making a difference and the continuous improvement of the school has become one of my heart’s passions.

IMPACT:

Malawi is known as the “warm heart of Africa”. In spite of its poverty, the friendliness and hospitality of its the Chichewa people is second to none. I easily call it my second home. Still with a history of a poor economy, the vast majority of the population struggle to meet the daily necessities of housing, food, transport. The government is unable to provide education beyond the primary level. If a child can achieve an acceptable level of proficiency by the end of primary school, his/her chances for being accepted into a secondary school and to qualify for available financial assistance are tremendously increased.

One of our goals at CFC Montessori Academy is to provide a quality primary education for some of the most disadvantaged youths. We initially targeted children who were orphans. These children live with a grandparent or other extended family who are already in hardship providing for their own immediate family members. We also enrolled children of single parents struggling to make ends meet. Two of our students were sleeping on the floor in the back of a store where their mother did chores in exchange for shelter. Our school has served as more than an academic setting, but as a resource for other needs.

As we have made many improvements, we are now in the position were we are recruiting students whose families are able to pay tuition. Whereas the incoming finances help, there is still a great need.

Will the help of fund raisers and our loyal contributors, the school has made many advances. The facilities have been enlarged and remodeled. Each classroom has electricity, which is rare in many schools in Malawi. Our teachers and teacher assistants are Montessori certified. We also have a fenced in, fully equipped playground.

In 2020 we added a daycare program. With some subtle changes in the culture and mothers going out to work with no nanny at home, this class is continually growing. We have also purchased a 17 passenger van that is instrumental in transporting our students. During rainy season, the van has been extremely helpful because of the poor condition of the roads and the heavy mudslides.

THE VISION:

Our near vision is to construct a multi-purpose hall to include four more classrooms, a library and computer room, a lunch room and restrooms. When school is not in session, evenings, weekends, holidays, the facility will be used for children and adult counseling programs, tutoring and after-school, weekend youth programs. The facility will also be used for adult skills learning, such as computer training. This building will also be rented out for various occasions to earn funds to be used to help sustain the school.

The vision is big, but considering the value of the US dollar in Malawi, a lot can be done with a little. As we look for ways to make this vision a reality, we are praying for donors who are willing to make a difference in the lives of these children. We want to equip them with the academic skills that will prepare them for a brighter future. our resources are limited, but are dreams are big, and our God is bigger.

Affiliated with Calvary Family Churches of Blantyre, Malawi and Remnant Church of Ocala, Fl. (501c3 coumunity organization)