A MALAWI church leader travelled thousands of miles to deliver a heartfelt “thank you” to a school which has brought hope to homeless children in the African country.

Bishop Gift Chaula, from the Kingdom Glory Churches of Malawi, was welcomed by staff and pupils at Bury Church of England High School during his two-day visit. He toured the Haslam Brow school, visited lessons and spoke in assembly.

Deputy headteacher Ian Jackson said: “Bishop Gift was keen to see the school because of the fundraising and support that has been offered by it for one of the projects in which he is involved in Malawi.

“Pupils and staff from Bury Church had visited Malawi with a church-sponsored group in 2011 and returned to the UK and school determined to do something to raise awareness and improve the plight of street children in Malawi, some of whom they had met during their visit.”

He added: “Others in school caught their vision and a series of activities was organised, including charity talent shows and cake sales and £2,800 was raised to support the ministry of those working with homeless children in Malawi. And countless other items and resources were collected to be sent in subsequent visits.”

Using those and other funds, a house in Bangwe, Malawi, has been restored — a kitchen, a bathroom, electricity, and clean water have all been installed.

By January, up to six street children will live there, looked after by a widow who will be trained to create a family environment for the children.

Mr Jackson added: “The pupils were moved and proud to hear from Bishop Gift that the name given to this refuge will be the ‘Bury Church home’.

“There is an ongoing commitment to the home both by PFJ Ministries, which is the organisation leading the work, and the school.”

  • For anyone interested in contributing to the work there, the next project is to set up a piggery to create a self-financing resource for the home.

Donations be made through everyclick.com/piggery