Home Church International Empowers Members with Business Skills in Blantyre

Malawi-The Home Church International, based in Blantyre, Malawi, conducted a one-day business training at Grace Bandawe Conference Centre in Ndirande township, writes Happy Valirani.

The training aimed at equipping church members with business skills and was facilitated by Canadian businessman, Andrew Tiel.

Tiel expressed that the role of the church is not only to preach the gospel but also to help its members live a good life through business.

"It is my first time to be here in Malawi and we have been here as Home Church International. I am a businessman from Canada, and I have really done well in business in my life, and I have some good ideas for business. We had very good sessions on business plans, savings, and capital. Apart from that, I have also encouraged them that as Christians, we need to be generous by giving tithes because tithing is very important because it pleases God. Another thing is to be self-disciplined," said Tiel.

Thirty people from different townships in Blantyre, including Ndirande, Machinjiri, and Nyambadwe, participated in the training. Participants like Fannie Chikombeni, a businesswoman, expressed gratitude for the skills acquired, stating that the training will help improve her business and support her family.

"The skills we have been imparted with will help improve our businesses. As women, we should not only depend on our husbands. It is high time women also contribute something to the table and not just wait to receive from husbands," said Chikombeni.

Chrispine Banda from Machinjiri and Enock Green also praised the training organized by the church, stating that it helped them with business strategies such as savings and keeping records.

They believe that even with little capital, it is possible to start a business.

Tiel expressed his happiness in sharing business skills with the people of Malawi and expects them to flourish in their businesses and become self-sufficient.

He mentioned that he had similar training in Kenya before coming to Malawi and enjoyed good interactions with the trainees during his two-day visit to Malawi.