Former president Dr. Joyce Banda has donated MK500,000.00 to the Council of Chaplaincy Ministry (COCHAM) in preparation for the Third International Conference of Chaplains in Malawi.
The conference will be held at African Bible College from 6-11 August 2023. Participants to the conference will come from countries of United States of America, United Kingdom, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Finland and Malawi. The conference will be held under the theme: “Towards Professional Chaplaincy: A Ministry of Presence”.
Banda commended COCHAM for organizing such a big event that has, for the first time, attracted chaplains across the globe.
She emphasized the need for the ministry of presence among the vulnerable and those suffering from the effects of Cyclone Freddy. She said she is committed towards helping the people to recover from Cyclone Freddy effects.
Banda added that her donation is a demonstration of her commitment to support the work of chaplains.
She urged the chaplains to remain committed in the ministry of presence.
COCHAM Executive Director Mabvuto Chipeta expressed gratitude to JB for the support, saying the support will go a long way in preparing for the conference.
But Chipeta called for more support towards the conference. He said the conference will contribute towards the sustainable development goal of providing good health and well-being of the people.
He added that the Ministry of Presence is key towards transformation of every nation, stressing that agenda 2063 cannot be achieved unless leaders in various institutions show their presence by addressing challenges that people are facing.