Chigodi Women's Centre
Since its establishment in 1968, the centre has trained many Christian women in practical skills like tailoring, knitting, agriculture, running small businesses and bible knowledge. The centre has strong links with all the presbyteries of the Synod, the women's guild and female elders.
Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the centre is situated at only 10 minuted drive from Blantyre city (Limbe) on the main road to Zomba. Look out for the sign on the right hand side of the road to Zomba as you are leaving Limbe. It is a great location for a day visit. You are welcome to come and visit us. Chigodi Women's Training Centre The Administrator's Office P.O. Box 5584 Limbe Tel. (+265) (0) 1 916 783 Mob. (+265) (0) 993 364 235 or (0) 0888 728 388 / (0) 888 348 263 email. [email protected] Contact Persons: Administrator - Rev Kay Day Programs Director- Mrs E Majamanda Assistant Minister - Rev. Catherine Jailosi Teaching Staff The centre has five teaching staff for the subjects of agriculture, business and tailoring skills. Rev Kay Day (from Canada) is teaching bible knowledge. |
Practical Courses New accommodation for students (left). Ministers' wives training course (right).
Since 2008, the centre runs two 6 months courses per year; conferences and seminars. It currently plans to run some week-end courses/ day courses. The courses train women in practical skills of sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking/baking developing Bible study guide and many more.
The first of the 6 months courses runs from January to June, the second runs from July to December. The course outline is as follows:
The fees last year (2011) were MK 55,000 (including boarding at the centre but food is not included) or MK45,000 (without boarding). The fees cover tuition, practical materials. |
Buildings/ Grounds
The grounds are beautiful, with terraced gardens, trees and a vegetable patch where students also practice their agriculture skills. It is far enough from the main road and it is quiet and relaxing.
The centre has two dorms (three bunk beds) with shared outside toilets/ shower/ laundry facilities. A new accommodation block is under construction but funds are needed to finish the building. The new block will sleep 12 (2 persons in each room) and will have en-suite toilets/bathrooms. The assistant minister of Chigodi Centre also lives on the grounds. |
Challenges and Opportunities
There is a great need for starting new projects that can help the centre generate more income that can be used to finish the new accommodation block and upgrade its facilities. Finishing the new block will boost revenue because it has en-suite facilities that many people prefer. The centre hosts many organisations that book the centre for their events. However most prefer accommodation that is en-suite and therefore will not stay over night at the centre.
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