Lenten Period Sacrifices for Catholics Build a Million Kwacha worth House for a needy in Lilongwe
By Demetria Banda
Damiano Katengeza from Traditional Authority Chadza, in Lilongwe was all smiles last week when the Catholic Church through Pontifical Missionaries Society handed over keys to his new house that was built in a space of less than a month.
Katengeza who is disabled and in his late 50s has been putting up in a dilapidated earth structure that some well-wishers built for him some 20 years ago.
The three-bedroom house which PMS has built for Jehovah’s Witness devout Katengeza comes after well-wishers contributed towards the course.
The contributions to the building of the house were made by few devout Catholics that as part penance in Lenten Season.
The Catholics in the country, came together for the course through Social Media Fundraiser that was advanced by Pontifical Missionaries Society PMS
PMS National Director, Father Vincent Mwakhwawa says the Church was compelled to come in and help Katengeza having noted the dire situation of the house which he was putting in.
“During the Lenten period, a few individuals came together and contributed towards construction of this house. It is an initiative that a few individuals like Violet devoted their time and resources to see completion of this house. We hope more people will come forward and help people of Katengeza type” said Fr Mwakhwawa.
Speaking after receiving the keys for the house, Katengeza who was all smiles thanked PMS for the initiative which will transform his life.
Katengeza also hailed the Catholic church for giving him a startup capital for business that will in future help him find basic necessities.
“This is one the happiest days of my life. I was living in a very dilapidated structure which I called a house. I thank Catholic Church for building this house for me. I hope this gesture does not stop here with me.” Said Katengeza who heads a grouping of about 20 other disabled persons from Tradional Authority Chadza in Lilongwe.
The house which has approximately costed 1 million Kwacha was handed over after Holy Mass was celebrated by Parish Priest for Nathenje Parish in Lilongwe, Father Stephen Chikhasu.