Ministry into a Municipal Rubbish Dump
Our ministry into a rubbish dump on the outskirts of Blantyre began July 2018. After Wesley Msamange’s first visit, he said that the first thing that hit him was the dreadful smell.
Second, mothers with babies on their backs were there and small children were playing in the rubbish.
Third, that they were eating bread which was covered with mold with relish.
To date we have started two projects in this first rubbish dump: first, to provide banquet meals for all the inhabitants of the dump, which is currently about 350 people. Second, to provide funds to set up businesses which enable groups to leave the dump and to support themselves.​
Photograph: Wesley Msamange with the leader of the rubbish dump community on his first visit.
Banquet Meals
After considering Jesus’ parable of the wedding banquet in which the master sends his servants out into the highways and byways to invite everyone to this feast, I thought that an appropriate response to this parable would be to hold banquets in the prisons and rubbish dumps in Malawi. We provide a meal with chicken, rice, vegetables, and fruit—this would be a luxury for them. One important point in this parable is that we should go into places where other people do not go—to the places where there are outcasts or those who are socially unacceptable and demonstrate God’s unconditional love and grace to them.
To date we have provided funds for 5,329 meals in this rubbish dump.
An edited version of two of Wesley’s reports on this ministry:
“We were able to visit the rubbish dump and provide these meals and through this kind gesture, we have been able to build a wonderful relationship and rapport with the people. They continue to be overwhelmed by such love shown to them and appreciate this act of love shown by Faith in Action UK. One can see a sense of brightness and contentment in them. The impact of this ministry is so great, and it has brought hope to their lives. “
“The people have asked me to thank you for showing such love to them at a time when otherwise they would not have received such a gesture during Christmas time. Everyone enjoyed their meal, and I was very thankful and felt honoured to be there and to share this wonderful time with them.”
We are currently setting up four different types of businesses: groceries, restaurants, electrical supply shops and trading centres.
A group of five people are chosen to run each business, and training is provided to show the team how to run the business and to keep accounts. Funds are provided for the initial rental of the shop, furnishing these premises as appropriate, and to provide the initial stock.
Members of the electrical shop team also receive some electronic training as there is a demand for broken phones, irons, and radios etc. to be repaired. They also sell second-hand laptops for a commission.
To date we have provided funds for 16 businesses
Businesses
Testimony from one of our Groceries. Wesley Msamange is translating for us.
It is in a market and so there is some background noise.
​To play video, please click of central arrow,
Gallery
