Boy-child victims of witchcraft stigmatization

Shelter for Boy-child victims of witchcraft stigmatization

The shelter for boys who have been mistreated because of witchcraft allegations made against them has opened its doors in Namiyango. The shelter is a joint project between Africa Outreach and The Crusade for Community Transformation and is sponsored by Across Outreach from the Netherlands. So far four teenage boys have found a safe haven while two young children are at large after having been abused by their families. We hope that they will be found and brought to safety before worse is done to them.

Mr. Frank Phiri of The Crusade for Community Transformation

Statement on Child Witchcraft Accusations in Africa

Dear friends, In the past decade there has been an upsurge in violence against children in sub-Sahara Africa who have been accused by their families or communities of witchcraft. The stigmatization of children as witches as well as the stigmatization of other vulnerable groups in society such as the elderly, refugees or the handicapped needs to be arrested before it gets out of hand. Accusing children of being witches is becoming standard performance for unscrupulous Pentecostal style pastors and so-called prophets and apostles who mix Christian and African traditional religious elements so that they can build their reputation of being spiritual experts. In Malawi this poisonous mixture of Pentecostal Christianity and African Traditional beliefs has led to severe instances of abuse including torture and murder. You may recall the case of the 12 year old boy in Mwanza district who was burned to death two years ago after a prayer meeting, or the two young children who were burned to death by their relatives in Bangwe after having been accused of witchcraft by the pastor of a so-called Miracle church. You may also think of the youths who committed suicide by jumping in a fire in Ndirande last year after a prophet had told them that they were bewitched by their father. Recently we had the case of a 12 year old orphaned boy who was beaten to death in Blantyre district after the relatives had decided he was a witch. The issue of branding children as witches highlights the general need for addressing the problem of witchcraft accusations in society. It is not only a human rights issue but also a gender issue since girls and women are disproportionally affected. It is also an issue that affects the handicapped and the elderly as diseases such as Alzheimer often result in witchcraft allegations. It is even an issue of democracy because witchcraft allegations fuel tensions in our communities, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety resulting in violence and destruction of property. Proposed action We aim to form a broad coalition against witchcraft stigmatization in Malawi in order to address the issue from multiple angles. We believe it needs to be addressed from a legal perspective involving the government and the judiciary which includes the review of the witchcraft suppression act as well as lobbying for tougher legislation dealing with people who use witchcraft accusations as an excuse for violence and abuse. Finally we believe that the issue must be addressed as an educational issue, both formal and informal education. This can be achieved by means of a nation-wide awareness and education campaign involving civil society as well as the media and educational bodies. We also need to create awareness concerning witchcraft accusations from a psychological and medical point of view to help people understand that diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, neurological problems as well as psychological conditions such as schizophrenia and paranoia do not reflect bewitchment. This needs to involve the medical fraternity. From a religious perspective it needs to involve the Christian church and theological training facilities as the problem of witchcraft stigmatization has been compounded by unscrupulous Christian leaders. We kindly invite you and the organizations and/or government agencies you represent to become a formal partner in the coalition against witchcraft stigmatization in Malawi so that together we can successfully address this issue and minimise its harmful effects in society. Thank you. Contact: The coalition against witchcraft stigmatization PO Box 2363, Blantyre, Malawi Email: c.a.w.s@hotmail.com

Saving Witch children in Africa

At the core of the teachings of Jesus Christ is love, love from God for humankind (John 3:16) which we ought to reflect back in love for God and in loving our neighbours including those we consider our enemies. Any teaching that negates, undermines or deviates from this and results in stigmatization, psychological or physical abuse is therefore a heresy and originates from the father of lies who is also a murderer from the beginning as the fruit of his lies is evil and death, both at an individual as well as societal level. The true evidence of the presence of the Spirit of Christ is shown in genuine caring love (agape) which among other things results in joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness and self-control. In our African continent we find many Pentecostal, Charismatic and independent churches who stigmatize children and other vulnerable groups in society as witches who are the cause of the misfortunes that befall their families and communities. Using Charismatic prophecy and other gifts of the Spirit as tools of divination, pastors, prophets and apostles claim sniff out the witches. Those who are sniffed out are exposed to abuse, ostracism, torture and murder. The more 'lucky' ones are exorcised of their demons in a heavy handed manner which often includes beatings, starvation and imprisonment until the families of the accused pay the high fees demanded by the prophet. Some prophets do not demand fees but build a name of fame by means of public witch sniffing and public exorcisms which in the end translates in higher financial contributions in form of tithes and offerings as well as monetary rewards offered by family members whose children have been 'treated'. However, the children once stigmatized as witches continue to be viewed with suspicion and suffer emotional neglect if not outright psychological and physical abuse. Children whose parents are still alive may be taken back to the prophet over an over again for exorcisms but children who are orphaned are often chased away after having been branded witches with many of them ending up as street children or become victims of trafficking or get trapped in prostitution. As Africa Outreach we believe that God has called us to join arms with others in countering this ungodly heresy and mitigate its impact on the African children. Please pray for us and support us in this effort. God bless, Dr. Erwin van der Meer

Africa Outreach

European volunteers helping at Africa Outreach projects

We are looking back at a wonderful summer with 9 Belgian and 1 Dutch volunteer helping out at Blantyre girls home and at the safe house for children accused of witchcraft.

Today, Erwin VanderMeer had organised a consultation with all childcare giving organisations in Bangwe, the chiefs, the police, social welfare and other stakeholders to discuss the issue of child abuse due to witchcraft allegations and to promote networking on this and other issues. It was very succesful not in the least due to the Malawians who facilitated and led the discussions. We also were interviewed on national television together with our friend and firebrand human rights activist Emmie Chanika about addressing the problem of children accused of witchcraft and consequently abused, chased from their homes and even killed. In the meantime our new safe house houses 7 girls who were abused and chased from their homes because of witchcraft allegations.

Vacancies in the Evangelical Church of Malawi

Evangelical Church Of Malawi

(NYASA MISSION)

SHIRE VALLEY SUB-SYNOD.
P.O. Box 90, Nchalo, Malawi.
20th October 2010

The Evangelical Church Of Malawi (Shire Valley Sub- Synod) is looking for Experienced Coordinators to work exclusively in The Shire Valley Region (SVRC).

1. HIV AND AIDS TREATMENT AND HOME BASED CARE COORDINATOR.

(i) International and Multicultural
(ii) Qualified Clinician with either Diploma in Clinical Medicine or MBBS with little public Health training.
(iii) Vast Experience in HIV or Infectious diseases.
(iv) Experince working in a leadership role in HIV and AIDS.
(v) Other Public Health diseases control programs in tropics.
(vi) Knowledge about Scientific Literature on HIV and AIDS care and treatment.
(vii) Demonstrated ability in research world be an added advantage
(viii) Computer literate.

CONTRACT DURATION
 Based on 5 years contract and annually renewable at the end of five years.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
 Working in a leadership role in HIV and AIDS and other Public Health disease control within the Shire Valley Region Council.
 Caring the sick and alleviating the special groups i.e. orphans, elderly, and widows.
 Research the effective approach towards the affected areas and families.
 Working hand in hand with the Shire Valley Region and report to the Region council constantly.
 Prepare to work odd hours sometimes.
 Preaching and teaching in various church centres as deemed necessary by the SVRC especially on Sundays and other occasions.
 Facilitate and organize community and review meetings.
 Sound report writing skills.
 Establishing and building of Health Centres and counseling places.

2. INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE PROJECT COORDINATOR.

The Evangelical Church Of Malawi (Shire Valley Sub-Synod) is inviting missionaries to express interest in Infrastructure Services Coordinator from Overseas exclusively for The Shire Valley Region (SVRC).

Qualifications
 Minimum holder of Diploma in Civil Engineering or any relevant qualifications.
 Ready to coordinate in the remotest area in tropics.
 With recommended experience in Infrastructure construction i.e. Churches, Schools, Clinics etc.
 Computer literate

CONTRACT DURATION
 Five (5) years contract and possibility of renewable at the end of five years.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATOR.
 To provide construction supervision services for the selected Shire Valley Regional Council developmental works.
 Upgrading the poorly constructed churches and other infrastructures.
 Rehabilitation of other lowly standard infrastructures.
 Improving the church within the Project corridors through labour based reshaping etc.
 Supervising the construction works for all selected church centres.
 Verifying personnel protection but from within the church.
 Verify the hand tools and equipment provided.
 Timely report compilation and submission on all project activities and lessons learnt and challenges coordinator to the Sub-Synod Executive.

3. EDUCATION COORDINATOR.

The suitable missionary shall be:-

Qualifications
 Minimum of BA in Education.
 Familiar with Education context in Africa.
 Willing to work in tropics.
 Willing to work with Africans without a sign of discrimination.

CONTRACT DURATION
 Five (5) years contract and is renewable at the end of five years.

JOB DESCRIPTION
 Searching fund for orphans in Secondary Schools.
 Improving the welfare of primary school going orphans by providing them with the basic requirements within the Sub-Synod.
 Establishing the learning Institution within the Sub-Synod locality.
 Introducing many primary Institutions for both orphans and those with their parents.
 Employing good teachers to help the Coordinator.

It is expected that missionaries raise their own support and also assist in the raising of project funds for their respective projects.

For more detailed information contact the Regional Admin. Secretary through gzembetsani@illovo.co.za or otherwisemapute@gmail.com