EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MALAWI
List of needs as assessed by 1st January 2005
PRIORITY NO. 1: TRANSPORT
A.) Motorbikes
Many of our Parish Pastors and Assistant Parish Pastors are allocated in parishes where they have to serve 10 to 15 Congregations and Preaching Points.  To reach these Congregations and Preaching Points our Pastors have sometimes to cover distances of more than 50 km.  This makes regularly visits and proper pastoral care nearly impossible.  Therefore it is necessary to provide our Pastors with Motorbikes that will enable them to reach these distances.
The price for one Motorbike and helmet is approximately USD $3,500.00
B.) Bicycles
In our Parishes we have many Evangelists and Parish Workers.  These lay leaders are trained to assist the Pastors in their local areas. Through their service they are contributing a lot to the growth of ELCM. To support their work we would like to assist them with bicycles, so that it will become easier for them to visit regularly their Congregation.
The price for one bicycle is approximately USD $100.00
PRIORITY NO. 2: BUILDING – PROGRAMME
A) Chapels
ELCM is a fast growing church.  We now have over 42 Parishes, Parishes in Preparation, and Mission Areas.  In these Parishes we have nearly 300 Congregations and Preaching Points.  In some of the new established Parishes and Mission areas it is difficult to build a Chapel or parsonage for our co-workers due to financial limitations. Because of this situation, many Congregations and Preaching Points still conduct their Sunday Worship Services under trees or in shelters.  This becomes even more pathetic during the hot and rainy season.
Before the Congregations receive any financial support from the Head Office to build a Church, the members have to mould enough bricks and be ready to do most of the work to construct the Chapel.  With your support the Head Office is able to contribute money for cement, roofing-materials, windows and doors.
For different chapels and buildings the costs are approximately:
1) Parish Centre Churches US$10,000 – 12,000 (needed urgently in all Parish centers).
2) Village Chapels      US$ 3,500 – 5,000 (needed in most rural congregations).
3) City Churches         US$ 12,000 - 15,000 (needed in most City Congregations).
Worship furnishings, benches (pews) US$ 3,000 – 5000 depending on the size of the church or chapel
B) Parsonages
Most of our Pastors and Evangelists are staying in rented houses.  The house rents have become a real burden to our operational budget and Parishes.  Therefore it is our aim to build houses in all Parishes and congregations for our Co-workers.
For different houses and parsonages the costs are approximately:
1) Parsonages at Parishes Centre US$ 6,000 – 10,000
2) Village ParsonagesUS$ 3,500 – 5,000
3) City ParsonagesUS$ 12,000 – 15,000
C) School Blocks and Teacher Houses
In 1994 the Government of Malawi introduced Free Primary education.  However they do not identify enough money to build schools. They do not have resources to build additional school blocks to accommodate the growing number of new students.  Therefore, most of our Congregations, in rural and urban areas, find themselves with the need and the challenge of providing and assisting the communities in providing educational services which require the building of school blocks as learning centers.  We see the need of the people and would like to assist in building school blocks. We do this only if the community is ready to mould bricks necessary for the construction of the school block and are willing to carry out most of the construction work. The funds required in this work, just like in building churches, is mainly to provide support for purchasing construction materials. A school block contains two classrooms.
To build school blocks and teacher’s houses the costs are approximately:
1) Elementary School BlocksUS$ 10,000 – 12,000
2) Secondary School Block US$ 12,000 – 15,000
3) Teacher’s House each(rural)US$  6,000 – 8,000
4) Teacher’s House each (urban)US$ 8,000 – 10,000
School Furnishings (Blackboards and desks)US$ 3,000 – 5,000
PRIORITY NO. 3: DEPARTMENT FOR DIAKONIA MINISTRIES
In response to the challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, other diseases, and poverty, our newly established Department for Diakonia Ministries is a tool for the church’s holistic ministry of ELCM as it tries to respond to the challenges.  Through this department we are responding to the needs of many needy people in church and society, particularly the needs of orphans, widows, and the poor, in their daily struggles.
A) Shallow wells – safe and protected water for all is a must.
In many areas people don’t have access to safe water.  They are using water out of the nearby rivers or other unsafe sources.  During the dry season, women have to walk long distances to find water. The majority of the rural communities are threatened by a variety of waterborne diseases. To reduce this threat, the church has resolved to make safe water accessible to rural communities, particularly where congregations run and maintain feeding centers for orphans. The community participates in the digging and the church provides the purchased construction materials (cement).
The cost for protecting a community well is approximately US$ 2,500
B) Education for young people (Bursary)
1) Needy Young People
Many young people who are qualified are not able to attend Secondary Schools due to the high cost of school fees. Therefore ELCM would like to assist orphans and other needy young people who are desperate for education.
The amount per year needed to assist one child with school fees and uniform approx. US$ 150.00
2) Skill Training
 Young People who have completed their secondary education but have no opportunity to go to college, and those who may not be able to complete secondary school due to other reasons, have to find ways and means to develop skills in order to find employment. Without skill training, it is impossible to find any proper employment. Therefore ELCM is seeking assistance for its “Skill Training Programme”. The focus of this training is in carpentry, bricklaying, driving, agriculture, bookkeeping, accounting, and computers.
For the above-mentioned courses amounts are needed between US$250.00 and 1,000.00 for a full course.
3) Co-Worker’s Children
Where possible, ELCM would also like to assist the children of our church co-workers to complete schooling because they often are not able to pay the fees.
The amount per year needed to assist one child with school fees and uniform approx. US$ 150.00
C) Feeding Centres (Feeding the Little Ones)
As stated above, and due to the growing poverty and the increase in diseases such as  HIV/AIDS, the number of Orphans is increasing rapidly each year. It therefore becomes necessary to respond to the needs of orphans and review regularly the services provided by the Feeding Centres. In these Centres, we are providing the 50 most vulnerable orphans and needy children, under the age of 5 years, with a nutritious porridge, some medicine, and other basic essentials. ELCM currently maintains and runs over 118 feeding centers comprising of nearly 6000 children. To provide this care requires more than $105,000 per year. The cost to feed a child one serving of the basic porridge mix is estimated at US$ 0.25 cents.
Your support in contributing towards this programme is needed in order to save the little ones and will be highly appreciated.
D) Bishop’s Charity Fund
The Bishop established this discretionary fund in his personal effort to be in solidarity with the poor and the suffering. This fund is used to assist the needy with clothing, blankets, food, medicine, school uniforms and supplies, and many other such items. Where possible, disabled people are assisted with wheelchairs and other enabling means such as crutches. Consideration is also given to meet the cost of medical expenses for needy people where life is threatened and assistance is crucial.
Every contribution towards this programme, financial or in kind, in order to continue these services shall be appreciated.
E) Loan Revolving Fund for Income – generating Projects
This fund was established by the church with the aim of assisting needy people in general, and women in particular, with special attention given to widows, in their efforts to start small-scale income generating projects for self-sustenance. With this fund we grant small loans to individuals, groups, and congregations in their efforts to start their own small projects or businesses to assist themselves, their families, as well as being able to support their congregations.
As an example, it is possible for less than US$100.00 to start small-scale farming or a small business.
PRIORITY NO. 4: SEWING FOR SUSTENANCE
This project enables women to acquire sewing skills that enable them to sew for their families, their church and communities, and to also develop an income-generating project of their own. To accomplish this, financial assistance is required for regular seminars and training workshops that are conducted by the Women’s Desk of the church. Furthermore, assistance is also needed to purchase fabric and sewing materials, and to assist women’s groups and individuals with seed money to set up a project. The cost of a treadle sewing machine is approximately US $250.00.
PRIORITY NO. 5:  MISSION AND EVANGELISM FUND
The work of witnessing for Christ is still large among the Malawian communities and therefore the need for emphasis for the church’s mission and evangelism. Therefore it is our task to reach people. The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few. ELCM is challenged with the opportunity to start new preaching points and congregations. The work of witnessing for Christ is undertaken by members of the church, particularly Evangelists and Choir groups. To do this we would appreciate support for transport and literature (Bibles, Catechism, Liturgy, and Hymn Books). For example, $5.00 will buy one Bible.
Your contribution toward this programme shall enable us to reach more people for Christ.
PRIORITY NO. 6:  INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES
In order to keep communication flowing with the people we serve as well as with our Partners in Mission, the Information Office of ELCM was established. As part of that effort the Information Office publishes a monthly bulletin and a quarterly newsletter known as “Tigawane” (share).  Through which we share information with our members and our Partners in Mission. In addition to this, the Information Office helps in facilitating communication with all our partners, the Companion Synod, and sister churches.
Assistance, financial and in-kind contributions, e.g., computers and laptops, cameras, and ink toner, is needed to continue this service.
PRIORITY NO. 7:  ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMME
Many members of our communities are illiterate, and not able to read or to write. However, most of them are very eager to learn how to read and write, and to be able to read the Bible or sing from the hymnal.  Therefore in cooperation with our Department for Development (ELDP) we conduct and maintain action oriented adult literacy courses with an aim to educate and equip communities with reading and writing skills.
To continue to offer these learning programmes, financial and material assistance is required.
PRIORITY NO. 8: WORSHIP MATERIALS IN CASH OR IN KIND
Communion vessels and Vestments (Stoles, Robes, Cinctures)
Keyboards, Pianos
Sound Systems for larger Churches
Worship furnishings and benches (pews)
PRIORITY NO. 9 - PERSONNEL EXCHANGE
1.  Ordained Pastor (married)To be the Assistant Principal at the Lay Training Center and to assist the Parish Pastor with Madisi Parish
2.  Two Ordained Pastors (married)To serve as Parish Pastor in two of our parishes
3. Technical Engineer To assist our Building Department in building and water projects
4.  Nurses (preferably female) To serve within the Diakonia Ministries and Deaconesses assist with the feeding programme and the health mobile clinics
5.  Teachers (preferably female)For ELCM Schools and in teaching English as a second language
6.  Office Assistants to work in the Head Office of the church specializing in computers, communications, Accounts and Finances
PRIORITY NO. 10 – OTHER ITEMS AND COMMODITIES
ELCM is appealing for essential commodities and items that can be donated in-kind or purchased and shipped to Malawi.
A) Over-the-counter (unprescribed) medications are requested:
1. Vitamins for children and adults, particularly women
2. Pain relievers for headaches, backache, and other body pain; also pain relieving creams and gels
3. Cough and cold medication (avoid liquids), solid chewable or lozenges; Vicks Vapor Rub
4. Chewable anti-diarrheals
B) Prescribed medications:
1. A fund to enable doctors and nurses to purchase medicines locally in Malawi.
2, In the case of a medical practitioner visiting the feeding centers in Malawi, it is recommended they solicit donations from pharmaceutical companies, medical warehouses, as well as friendly medical practitioners who may have surplus samples.
C) Other Items:
1. Bath soap, especially antibacterial Dial bar soap (solid)
2. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly (children and adult)
3. Toothpaste and toothbrushes
4. Baby powder
5. Iodized salt (packed separately as a food item)
6. Sewing materials (fabric, thread, pins, machine needles, hand sewing needles, scissors,  seam rippers, machine oil, clothing patterns for children (boys and girls) and adults). Gold trim and braiding for Pastor’s stoles, lengths of braided rope for cinctures
7. Yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles, Doily patterns and thread
8.  Soccer balls, Volleyballs, and net balls
9. School materials (pencils, notebooks)
10. Girl's Underwear (age 2 -12 years)