Kameza to have CCAP church
Last week, moderator of Mt Carmel CCAP Church in Blantyre laid a foundation stone at Kameza where construction of a new church is expected to start in December this year. Our reporter WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR asks cottage chairperson for West B CCAP, Deanes Daudi, on the background of the project and other issues.
What necessitated the project?
There are a number of reasons, but I will single out two. As you may be aware, we are members of Mt Carmel CCAP Church. The challenge has been that the church was proving to be inaccessible to some of our members because of distance. This was particularly so for the elderly and those with special needs.
You will appreciate that Mt Carmel CCAP Church is standing atop the anthill, some metres away from Area 1 Stage in Machinjiri in Blantyre. For some years, our members from Kameza, Mlombwa and Mbawa have been complaining that their prayer house was becoming more and more inaccessible, especially during the rainy season when transport becomes a big challenge.
It was agreed that resources be mobilised to secure land at Kameza, which acts like the centre for Kameza, Mlombwa and Mbawa. By the grace of God, the funds were mobilised and land was bought in August this year.
That is why we had our moderator, Reverend Annie Kapinda, laying a foundation stone to signify that construction of the new church may start any time.
When do you want to begin construction of the church?
Let me hasten to say that apart from laying a foundation stone, Reverend Kapinda has also designed the layout of the prayer house. Thus, our prayers are that construction should start in December this year and end December next year. But this will depend on how quickly we mobilise resources because we have absolutely nothing in our coffers for the project. We are just counting on the providence of God.
What is the budget for the project?
It is very difficult for me to say this is our budget because of the fluctuation of the kwacha nowadays. We believe we may not come up with a fixed budget at this moment when prices of building materials keep rising each passing day. Therefore, it is very hard for us to come up with a static budget. Our budget will be open to reviews from time to time depending on the prevailing financial situation.
How are you raising resources for the project?
There are a number of activities Christians have lined up. For instance, we will be conducting big Paper Sundays with the first one taking place on December 22 this year. Our target on this day is K500 000. We are distributing commitment forms to the general public through which we appeal to individuals to fill in details of support they are willing to provide us. We have also opened a bank account with FMB at Ndirande branch where those who cannot make it to the activities can deposit their assistance.
Do you have other sources of income apart from fundraising activities?
No, we don’t. Since the idea was hatched some months ago, it is members who have been supporting the project through their contributions. You may wish to know that even the money we used to buy this land came from members themselves. But we believe that God will be on our side. It is our prayer that many people will come to support this initiative so that the people of God have a proper shelter where they can meet for praise and worship.
