Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Nkhoma Synod (CCAP)

CCAP reaches out to communities spread throughout central Malawi. In these communities, church leaders are encouraged to form diaconal committees.  Nkhoma Synod’s Relief and Development Department (NRD) trains these committees to assess the challenges and resources of their community and congregation, and designs programs that will meet those needs using local resources. At the same time, “Women in Development” groups meet to train women on improved agricultural techniques including seed multiplication, food storage, and establishing tree nurseries. Women also receive training in nutrition, sanitation, using mosquito nets, and Biblical concepts of family life and sexuality. Women’s groups are used to track the health of under-five children and teach mothers how to intervene and improve the health status of their children. Training to run small businesses and small loans to enable those businesses to grow provide the dignity of being able to meet family financial needs as well as giving back to God through local churches. Both men and women are engaged in literacy classes and specific projects that meet community felt needs. Literacy training impacts the lives of thousands of Malawians each year giving them confidence to become more active participants in church and community leadership. Communities are engaged in a range of specific projects including composting latrines, small-scale irrigation and orphan nursery schools.