Church can foster development—Gama

Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) general secretary the Reverend Billy Gama has said God uses the church as an instrument for the provision of better services to communities such as prisons globally.

He expressed the sentiments on Friday in Zomba when the synod handed over two water plants to Zomba Central Prison and Domasi Prison in the district.

Gama said the water installations would help in preventing waterborne diseases such as cholera and to enhance food security through irrigation.

“To achieve the farming dream, the synod intends to supply the prisons with tractors, seeds and fertilisers to empower them to be food secured at all times,” he said.

The general secretary appealed to the prison staff and inmates to protect the water sources.

“God uses the church to respond to the needs of the vulnerable people, hence, this water initiative is the manifestation of God’s love to humankind,” he said.

Minister of Homeland Security Jean Sendeza acknowledged that the initiative has relieved the department from water woes that choked its operations for a long time.

She called on other religious institutions to emulate Blantyre Synod’s initiative, saying government needs partners to run its affairs effectively.

“These two water sources will be  used and protected,” said Sendeza.

Malawi Prison Services Chief Commissioner Wandika Phiri  said water is integral in the provision of correctional services.

“The water facilities will be used in accordance with the purpose,” she said.

The water plants worth K46 million have been drilled and constructed with support from the synod’s Friends of Upper Ohio Presbytery in the United States of America.