Mission Malawi is our upcoming 20-day experience of culture, solidarity, faith, leadership, and service. The goal is to help youth and young adults of our parish encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and reach out in faith and service. The group will be supported by Elaine Zakreski (Hope for Malawi Co-Founder), Colm Leyne (Parish Youth Ministry Coordinator), and Fr. Matthew Ramsay (Pastor, St. Anne’s Parish) as our chaplain for the event.
DOING WHAT? The mission will include visiting the many projects and ministry outreach of our Sister Parish Sacred Heart Cathedral in Zomba, Malawi that we have been supporting from home. We will also have many encounters with their culture and community to grow in friendship and faith. Service opportunities will be according to the raised needs of the community and the giftedness of our group, with a special focus on youth-to-youth encounters where possible.
THE COST? ~$4000-$5000 per person is what they are budgeting for. This includes travel costs (flights + taxes, ground transport, lodging, group meals), and a small parish admin fee. This is apart from personal travel/medical insurance (mandatory), required shots/vaccines (mandatory), any passport renewal fees, and personal spending money which each individual is responsible for.
*Canadian tax and charity law says that supporters can give gifts only to registered charities, not individuals. By supporting a member of Mission Malawi, you are contributing towards the individual’s fundraising goal for their portion of the trip. While Saint Anne’s Parish will seek to honour the expressed preference of each gift, you are acknowledging that your gift is a gift to the ministry of Saint Anne’s Parish and will be used by Saint Anne’s Parish in a manner that it believes will best advance its charitable purposes. If your preference changes, it is your responsibility to inform Saint Anne’s Parish.
Sarah Molyneux
Grade 12, Bishop James Mahoney
Hi, I’m a grade 12 student at Bishop James Mahoney High School! I’ve been a parishioner of St. Anne’s my whole life. I’m looking forward to learning from the people of Malawi and have been looking forward to this trip since I was a young girl!
Jacinta Leyne
Grade 8, Homeschooled
My name is Jacinta Leyne, I will be 14 this summer and have been a parishioner of St. Anne’s since I was born. I am the oldest of four kids and I have been homeschooled my whole life. I am grateful that I will get to experience this trip to Malawi with my dad and my cousin, Sarah, along with other parishioners. I am very excited to see a new country and experience how they live their lives there, how God is working in that community, and how He will work in my life through this trip.
Maria Hickey
Grade 11, Holy Cross High School
Scott Butler
Katie Groskopf
Glen Groskopf
Fr. Matthew Ramsay
Mission Malawi, Chaplain
Colm Leyne
Mission Malawi, Youth Ministry Coordinator
I’m so thrilled to be able to finally go to Malawi! It’s been my dream ever since we hosted the first Kids Care Garage Sale. My first “mission” experience was in Peru in 2006. What I learned is I received much more than I gave and could ever give. The impact of that trip forever shaped the rest of my life, my vocation, and my call to ministry. It feels right to go on a mission again. To see the impact of the work we’ve helped make happen, to meet our dear friends, and to share our faith and lives together (the joys and the sorrows!) – It’s my dream this is just the first of many youth-led missions at our parish!
Elaine Zakreski
Mission Malawi, Hope for Malawi Cofounder
