Cecilia Youth Centre Inaugurated

About 200 metres off Andiamo road to Kankao lies a lustrous complex that stands for use by children of the Balaka region. The center that can accommodate up to 300 children was officially opened on Sunday, 21st September 2008 by His Excellency Mr. Giovanni Ceruti, the Italian ambassador to Malawi and Zambia. Flanked by his wife, Mr. Ceruti cut a tape that cordoned an entrance to a hut where the inauguration ceremony took place.

The ceremony begun with Holy mass cerebrated by Fr. Pierregiorgio Gamba and Fr. Mario Pacifici as his co-cerebrant, with a number of youthful mass servers dressed in beautiful and decent gowns. Other teen girls made the mass more colourful with their mesmerizing dances in front of the altar. Outstandingly, the youth dramatized gospel reading to symbolized how the “first shall be the last, and the last shall be the first.” At the end of the mass, the youth performed traditional dances such as Chintali, Masewe, Ingoma, Nyau (gule wamkulu), and a song. In these activities, the youth thanked Fr. Gamba and all parties concerned for setting up a centre that helps them in their daily lives. In a speech presented by one a teen girl for her colleagues, the youth promised to take care of the premises and make it more live for the benefit of all.

Cecilia Youth Centre traces its roots from the time St. Louis Montfort Parish started activities that targeted the youth of the Balaka region. One of the shining examples is Alleluya Band that has become one of the best music outfits in Malawi. Cecilia Youth Centre is yet another great example of how Montfort fathers in Mangochi diocese, particularly those in Balaka, have done for the youth. At the centre, children play, pray, and attend evening classes that compliment normal school calendar. The centre was donated by an Italian family, who after many years in marriage, bore a daughter-Cecilia who never lived long. The centre is, thus, named after her.

In his speech, the Italian ambassador Mr. Giovanni Ceruti thanked Italian Montfort fathers, especially Frs. Mario Pacifici, and Pierregiorgio Gamba for their great development activities established in the Balaka region. He hopes the centre will help the youth to transform and become good future leaders. He concluded by pledging to assist in everything should there be a need for help.

Eugenio Njoloma

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