Jackie Griffiths

Malawi

Biography

I grew up in Swansea and attended the Elim Church with my parents. My interest in overseas missions began as a child through family friends who were missionaries. I entered Elim Bible College as a student in 1983 and completed the two year course. As the course was nearing completion, I was invited to join the staff and fulfilled a variety of roles including Faculty Administrator/Registrar spanning over a period of 22 years. I left Regents Theological College in 2007 to work with the Elim Church in Malawi, helping to establish and set up a Bible School. Following my term there I worked in Haiti for 18 months following the devastating earthquake.

As an ordained Elim Pastor, I was appointed associate pastor at the Tamworth Elim Church in 2013. The opportunity arose to return to Malawi again late 2014. I am currently working with a Christian charity called Chifona Trust, situated in a rural community in Thyolo District, just over one hour's drive from the commercial city of Blantyre.

The main focus at Chifona is an Education Centre for the deaf and hard of hearing, focusing on those under 30 years of age. Sadly, the education system does not have the resources necessary to assist with learners who have additional needs, resulting in them simply sitting in a classroom being neglected, if they attend school at all! We currently have 9 students learning at primary level between the ages of 6 - 13 years.

We also have a preschool on site for hearing children, as well as an after-school programme for those in their first and second years at primary school. ?These classes help them get ahead as the class numbers in primary school are extremely high.

Each Sunday we run a programme for the youth where 70+ young people attend between the ages of 14-18. The programme varies between Bible studies, games, inspirational talks about different careers from various professions. Out of this group they have formed a dance group, drama group, choir and running group which meets during the week. The on-site library also attracts learners to come and use the facilities for private study.

It is our desire to seek to be salt and light in this rural community, demonstrating the love of God to those around us.

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