Day's Diary

July 22, 2007 ~ Handing Over Ceremony

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When I arrived home from my holiday to the north, I had a letter from the Synod inviting me to a handing over ceremony. In the States, we would call this a dedication ceremony, but here the terminology is always a bit different. What was being handed over was the maternity wing of the H. Parker Sharp Health Center at Domasi Mission.  Actually it was much more than even that. It involved four buildings and an ambulance. This was a big event and Dody Crowell from the Partnership in Pittsburgh was here for the event, as the one who had helped to make much of this happen.

(Dody Crowell and officials standing in front of the staff housing
funded by the Presbyterian Women of Pittsburgh)

A bit of background might help to explain why this was a significant event. In 1993, shortly after the Partnership between Pittsburgh and Blantyre Synod began, Silas, who was General Secretary at the time, had a dream to refurbish the Domasi Mission station, the third oldest mission station in the Synod, which had fallen into disrepair over the years. He wanted to reinforce the church building and the school and add to the facility. Pittsburgh caught the vision and began to partner with him. They committed money and people to help rebuild and refurbish. In the process, they caught Silas’ vision for a medical facility there that would help to bridge the distance between Zomba and Malosa, the nearest hospitals, each at least half an hour drive away and half a day’s walk. The first thought was for a clinic for those under the age of five, but in talking with the village chiefs of the area, they were convinced that they needed a full medical clinic, so that is what was proposed.  H. Parker Sharp from Shadyside caught the vision and invested heavily in this health center. As it was completed, an ambulance was included in the equipping of the facility. That was 10 years ago. Many other things have been added to the facility over the years, but one of the great dreams has been for a maternity ward to aid the thousands of women in the area who give birth every year. They do so at home since there has been other place to go. Two years ago, the chief medical officer at Domasi wrote a proposal to Presbyterian Women in USA to help with the funding for this from their annual Thank Offering collection. From the over 600 proposals submitted, this was one of the 30 selected so the building began. This included a placenta disposal area and a guardians’ area, both necessary in this culture. Dody was instrumental in helping this to happen. But there needed to be housing for staff as well and that is where Pittsburgh Presbytery came in directly. Presbyterian Women from Pittsburgh contributed the money to build housing. The ambulance was wearing out and there was a request that this be replaced.  The Dorrance family from Shadyside stepped forward with a contribution for a new ambulance, in memory of their daughter, Emily. All of this came together in this “handing over” ceremony, since all was in readiness.

(Ambulance funded by the Dorrance family)

The handing over ceremony was on Saturday, July 21, 2007. It was traditionally Malawian in every sense of the word, beginning by starting an hour late, as we waited for some of the officials to arrive. And there were many officials, including the village chiefs, government medical officials, Synod officials, guests from Mulanje Mission hospital, and of course, Dody, the guest of honor. Health care staff served as hosts, coordinators and guides. Once everyone arrived, we began with a ribbon cutting ceremony at each site: a new staff house, the guardian center, the maternity ward itself and the ambulance, decked in ribbon. Dody was the official ribbon cutter. The group of guests, numbering more than 100, including mvano and pastors, moved from venue to venue with great interest. This was followed by a prayer of dedication then choirs, traditional music and dancing, and a drama done by the clinic staff. Then there were speeches by the village chiefs, the government officials, the Synod representatives and finally by Dody. All of this was done in both English and Chichewa for the benefit of all present. The ceremony took two and a half hours. Not a detail or person was omitted. It was done with great care and deep gratitude, expressed by everyone who spoke. After a hymn and the benediction, which was offered by Silas, the group moved to lunch at the guest house graciously prepared and served by the health care staff.

This ceremony is the Malawian way of saying thank you for the help that these facilities will be in the lives of the women in the area. It was a great celebration of a growing dream coming into being. There is more to be dreamed and more to be built, but this marks a significant step forward. Malawians know how to celebrate and this was a great example of that. They know how to say thanks and that was the core of this celebration. My prayer is that those who contributed to make this dream a reality would feel the gratitude that was expressed at Domasi and know that what they have done has made a difference, and that difference is appreciated. Thanks to Presbyterian Women, to Pittsburgh Presbyterian Women and to the Dorrance family. You are making a difference and we celebrated that at Domasi.