New Apostolic Church inaugurates early childhood development centre in Malawi with UN support

The New Apostolic Church has expanded its community development efforts through its Henwood Foundation, which recently inaugurated a modern school block at the Mbwatalika Early Childhood Development Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi. The initiative, supported by the United Nations Women’s Guild of Vienna, provides a permanent learning and feeding center for orphans and vulnerable children from seven surrounding villages.

District Apostle Moses Chipanda highlighted the collaboration, noting that the United Nations Women’s Guild of Geneva donated US$7,000 toward construction, while the New Apostolic Church contributed K700,000 for bricks. Additional funds from the UNWG were used to purchase teaching and learning materials for the school. The facility, opened during the 2012-2013 school calendar, has already graduated 113 under-five children into standard one.

Chipanda emphasized the church’s commitment to education and child welfare, stating that caregivers at the center are trained according to the National Syllabus for Integrated Early Childhood Development, as mandated by the Ministry of Gender, Women, Children, Disability and Social Welfare. He also noted that the center has successfully enrolled children with autism and epilepsy into primary school, a first in the region.

The center’s provision of vita-meal has contributed to reducing malnutrition and stunting among children, according to Chipanda. He explained that the New Apostolic Church established the Henwood Foundation to fulfill its social responsibility and development initiatives, underscoring the church’s role in both spiritual and community development.

Traditional Authority Maliri expressed gratitude for the church’s contribution to improving education in the area. He noted that literacy levels in the Central Region are as low as 40 percent, significantly lower than other regions. The Early Childhood Development Centre, he said, will help reduce illiteracy.

Maliri also urged parents to prevent children under the age of ten from joining the Gule wa Mkulu traditional cult and to avoid forcing girls into early marriages, emphasizing the importance of protecting children’s well-being and future opportunities.

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