TWO special visitors who spoke of their work in Malawi, in Africa, said their visit to a church in Haslemere was “like meeting a family.”

Staying with families who showed them around the area, Victor Mughoggo and Cuthbert Gondwe spoke at 3 Counties Church about their job as development officers with Tearfund.

Their role is to train community leaders in Malawian villages to harness knowledge and abilities in local people into sustainable enterprises that lift them out of poverty.

Victor and Cuthbert explained how "Malawian churches have few resources, but they start with what they have – compassion. Projects have emerged teaching literacy, supporting HIV sufferers and helping widows start up small enterprises”.

They also shared a revealing snapshot of life in Malawian villages and answered children’s questions.

The visitors explained how not every village has a school, that only primary school is free so most children don’t attend secondary school, uniforms are a costly luxury, and sometimes people sleep on an empty stomach when there is a bad harvest.

This spring the church raised £2,778 through the Beka Bonanza.

Some of the money has paid for a kitchen and toilet in Beka village’s new children’s centre. Three Counties has been linked with Beka village in Malawi through Tearfund’s Connected Church programme since 2012.

Now, through an enriching two way relationship of encouragement, support and learning, lives in Malawi are being transformed, says the charity.

As well as emergency relief, schools have been opened, boreholes dug to provide clean water, and agriculture diversified to adapt to climate change.

Find out more at  www.3counties church.org orr call 01428 653011.