PLAINFIELD—In October, a group of seven people from Plainfield’s St. Mary Immaculate Parish spent two weeks visiting Likwakwanda, a village in Malawi, Africa, as well as surrounding communities. The team assessed needs and made plans to assist the people of the impoverished villages, which lack electricity, sufficient food sources and educational opportunities.
Following Masses Dec. 1 and 2, the group shared recommendations with the members of the Plainfield faith community. An evening presentation was also slated for Dec. 4.
There is an uncertain time factor when it comes to shipping food and school supplies to villages in Malawi, said Father Dennis Spies, associate pastor, who traveled with others on the fact-finding trip. When items ultimately arrive in the area, they are consumed days or hours after the people receive them, noted the priest during the presentation after the 9 a.m. Mass Dec. 2.
In an effort to assist the people on an ongoing basis, Father Spies introduced the idea of a micro-lending program. The plan calls for the Plainfield parishioners to raise funds to be loaned to the Malawi villagers. The people aren’t seeking donations, he said. They are looking for ways to enhance their livelihoods. Clergy of the region in Africa presented the concept to the Plainfield parish group during the expedition, he said.
In theory, the money will funnel through the region as borrowers replenish it, reasoned Father Spies. A major component of the plan is for the villagers to oversee the lending program themselves, he said. As part of this process, the people “next in line” for loans will serve as lenders. Their task will be monitoring the status of the payback process. Once the money is secured, the former lenders will be eligible to apply for funds, according to the proposal, said Father Spies. The idea is for lenders to be vigilant when it comes to encouraging borrowers to repay loans, he explained.
Children of St. Mary Immaculate School and youngsters enrolled in the parish religious education program recently kicked off a fundraiser for the micro-lending program, according to Deacon Pat Lombardo. The clergyman, who traveled with the others to Africa, said the young people are now selling tubes of M&Ms. The idea is for parishioners and others to purchase the candy and then fill the emptied tubes with change, cash or checks for the micro-lending project. The goal of this initial fundraiser is $10,000, said the deacon. It is set to conclude near the end of December.
Describing some things he saw in Malawi, Deacon Lombardo mentioned the small homes of the people. The dwellings are comprised of homemade bricks with grass and tin roofs, he said. Travel is on foot or bicycle on dirt roads. Their simple diet is primarily cornmeal; most of the people grow their own food. “The people are very friendly and welcomed us,” he said. “They do not want charity, but an opportunity to help themselves,” he added.
The loans are expected to range from $70 to $300, according to Father Spies. The plan calls for borrowers to pay back 10 percent of the total per month. Remaining on this projected course, a villager could repay a loan in less than a year, he said. These interest free loans “would be huge” for the people.
Raised in rural Iroquois County in the southern portion of the Joliet Diocese, Father Spies is no stranger to the growing fields. He helped his parents and grandparents tend the family’s land before answering the Lord’s call to the priesthood. As a delegate in Malawi, he took it upon himself to plant some suggestions in the minds of the farmers. Funds generated by people of St. Mary Immaculate Parish will allow these family farmers to purchase high-yielding hybrid seed, he said.
When the ambassadors from Plainfield arrived in Malawi, they rendezvoused with Father Philip Mbeta, a native of the region and priest of the Archdiocese of Blantyre. The clergyman had resided at St. Mary Immaculate Parish for three years as he pursued doctoral studies in organizational development at Benedictine University in Lisle. During that time the visiting priest forged a relationship with the Plainfield congregation. In June, he returned to his homeland in southeastern Africa.
During the Malawi trip, Jennifer Ehing, a member of the parish, told the Explorer she was especially impressed by Father Mbeta’s commitment to the people and his take-charge attitude as he performed his pastoral and outreach duties.
As for her reasons for making the overseas trek, the mother of two youngsters stressed, “I felt God calling me in the deepest part of my soul.” Visiting with children afflicted with deadly diseases and helping comfort family members “tore at my heart,” Ehing said. Speaking about the presentations at her parish, she added, “We want to show people (the villagers) deserve better.”
“It was a wonderful trip. It was eye-opening,” said parishioner Lisa Egner when she addressed the people of the parish. She pointed out the emphasis the people of Malawi place on their faith. The singing and dancing during liturgies was “beautiful.” The choirs “sing with their whole heart and soul,” she added.
David Bachtel, a member of the Plainfield parish, attended the presentation following the 9 a.m. Mass Dec. 2. After the meeting, he took time to inspect a table crafted by a Malawian artisan. Noting the intricacies of the work, Bachtel commented, “They have tremendous talent.”
Funds from the micro-lending program will work to help men and women craft more products and grow more food to better provide for their families. “It just makes sense,” said the marketing specialist. “There’s just no better way,” he added.
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