‘Malawi’s poverty from ungodliness’

Umodzi Foundation is a Christian and humanitarian organisation founded on the principle of sharing resources to advance the Kingdom of God. One of the founders, Professor John Chisi, explains to our reporter WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR why the organisation was formed.

Can you briefly tell me the background of Umodzi Foundation?

Umodzi Foundation is an NGO registered with Congoma as well as the NGO Board. The principal understanding is that we bring development back to the villages. The foundation was born to empower rural masses through a spiritual as well as humanitarian approach.

We want to inform rural and poor masses on what is meant by poverty and how we can address it. We want to empower them materially through sustainable agriculture, health, education, HIV and Aids and anything that affects people’s lives.

We believe that poverty is people’s inability to look at each other’s problems. A poor person is the person who doesn’t help others. That is the spirit Umodzi Foundation would like to deal with so that we can create heaven on earth; peace, love and brotherliness.

On what pillars is this organisation based?

Our main pillar is the faith we have in God and we believe that with this faith we will be able to alleviate poverty and suffering among the poorest. We also believe that when God created the earth, he said it was good. But it is people who are making it bad because of selfishness and greed.

Umodzi Foundation would like to root out this spirit by teaching people the will of God. We all have to take responsibility in bringing the glory of God to the earth he created.

I noted that when you are conducting some activities, such as those in Mulanje and Nkhotakota recently, besides making donations, you also preach the gospel. What is the rationale?

The Bible says: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and everything shall be added unto you”.

What this means is that the kingdom principle means that there is a king and that king owns everything. And then he subcontracts his subjects. So, if you look at the Queen of Great Britain, you will see that she owns everything, yet she has ministers to help her run the affairs of her kingdom.

When we apply this to the spiritual realm. We are under the Kingdom of God. That means God has made provisions for us and what we need is to utilise them to the best satisfaction of the creator.

So, basically, we are trying to teach people to put all their trust in God because he is the Grand Provider of all the resources we are looking for. It is only after they have trusted in God that they can share what they have.

People should understand God’s principles. In God’s principles, there is no worry, no jealousy, no fear and no poverty. Now, if they understood that, they would then start trusting in God.

And because of this lack of understanding and knowledge, people are living as competitors, instead of being partners.

Which church are you?

Well, I am a Catholic. But when we are carrying out our activities, we forget about our religious boundaries because the Bible is the same and everyone who is spiritual has a right to preach. I am always in church on Sunday morning. But when I minister to the people we are reaching out to, people can take me just as I am.

No consideration of religious background is needed. Actually, I am ready to minister to any congregation should there be a need.

Who are your donors?

We have not had a chance of partnering with other organisations since the foundation was formed.

My wife and I have been the major donors of all the projects we have implemented. Through our initiative, we want to instil a spirit of self-reliance among Malawians.

We don’t have to always wait for white people to come and solve our problems and those of our brothers and sisters. God has given us provisions which we have to share with the needy.

The principle is that if you help the more needy people you help, the more blessings you get.

What major projects have you achieved, so far?

We have been to Mulanje, Nkhotakota, Salima  and Lirangwe in Blantyre.

We spent over K2 million to support Salima flood victims alone. And we are ready to spend more for the sake of our needy brothers and sisters.

Do you think our poverty is linked to our lack of fear for God?

Yes, it is totally linked to our lack of understanding of the principle of God. God has the provisions to satisfy all our needs, but we are failing to access them because we don’t trust in him.

If you look at European countries, you will be surprised to see that they give a lot for charity, yet they grow richer and richer.

Umodzi Foundation believes that we, too, can grow richer if we start sharing the little we have with the have-nots.