The Sisters of the Holy Rosary visited the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Offices to orient the staff on the Congregation’s activities and projects. The meeting opened with a prayer led by Fr. Isaiah Nyirenda, followed by welcoming remarks from the Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese, who appreciated the Sister’s presence and initiative.
The first presentation was given by Sr. Justina Ngulube, who explained the Sisters’ Land Restoration Project being implemented in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Chigwere, Nkhata Bay District. She highlighted that the project responds to degraded land and aims to improve the productivity of Chigwere Farm and the livelihoods of surrounding communities through sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. The project focuses on banana production, beekeeping, improved pig production, and soil and water conservation, with Chigwere Farm serving as an anchor farm for demonstration, learning, technical support, aggregation and market linkages. She further explained that 100 community out-grower farmers from Duwe, Chimojimoji and Chigwere are participating in the project, while activities include banana production, beekeeping, construction of contours and swales, mulching, irrigation infrastructure and rehabilitation of fish ponds.
The second presentation was made by Sr. Rose Mwenda, who presented the SCORE ECD IV Project, implemented by the Sisters of the Holy Rosary in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Association of Women Religious Institutes in Malawi (AWRIM) and other partner Congregations. She explained that the project aims to strengthen the capacity of religious women to deliver inclusive Early Childhood Development (ECD), child nurturing care and maternal mental health services. The project is being implemented in Chikwina, Nkhata Bay District, covering Kalonga and Chipayika areas and reaching 446 caregivers of children aged 0–5 years. Through care groups, the project promotes positive parenting, child development, climate change adaptation, disability inclusion, emotional well-being, financial well-being through Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC), and the involvement of both fathers and mothers in supporting children’s development.
The third presentation was given by the Mother General, Sr. Bernadette Mnyenyembe, who highlighted the Sisters’ Anti-Human Trafficking Project. She explained that the project focuses on awareness, prevention, protection, referral and support for victims and survivors of human trafficking. The Sisters work with communities, schools, parishes, government departments, traditional leaders and other partners to identify trafficking risks, strengthen referral systems and protect vulnerable people. She also highlighted key achievements, including the training of more than 70 Sisters and over 500 stakeholders on human trafficking issues.
The Mother General thanked the Bishop, priests and diocesan staff for attending the orientation and for their support. The Bishop encouraged the Sisters to continue working hand in hand with the Diocese, noting that they serve the same communities and carry out complementary activities. He also thanked the Sisters for taking the initiative to share their work, saying that the orientation helped him and the diocesan team gain a better understanding of the Congregation’s activities. The meeting concluded with a closing prayer led by Fr. Yotamu Msumba, Parish Priest of St. Albert the Great Parish.
