Browsing by Author "Gondwe, John"

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    Breaking the silence : sexual reproductive health as a challenge and opportunity for youth ministry in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) synod of Livingstonia
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03 ) Gondwe, John; Cloete, Anita Louisa; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study was motivated by the increased prevalence of unwanted pregnancies, early marriages, unsafe abortions, and school dropouts among the youth due to a lack of Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) knowledge. The aim of the study was to explore and establish whether the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) is silent on issues of SRH, and if so, how the Synod can break the silence. This study investigated how the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia can engage theological concepts to break the silence on SRH as a challenge or opportunity for youth ministry. The study focused on human dignity as the main theological concept that pays attention to the image of God (imago dei). The theological concept of human dignity focused on some attributes of the image of God, such as inviolability among others. Every human being, in the image of God, should be able to exercise their rights. It further explored how the church must consider SRH services as part of holistic ministry. The literature studied further indicated that there are some SRH determinants such as social and cultural behaviours, social-religious beliefs, and poor health facilities. The empirical research was conducted within the CCAP catchment area where the interviewees were either church elders, church ministers, or youth. Usingin-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, the views and opinions of those participants mentioned above were gathered. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis, and subjected to theological interpretations. The study findings showed that Synod had an SRH policy in place. However, that policy had not been implemented since the package of SRH contradicts its church doctrines that emphasize abstinence among the youth. Further, findings indicated that the church was not doing much to promote SRH among the youth because should the Synod be engaged in SRH issues, it might be seen as promoting immorality among the youth. Nonetheless, almost all respondents accepted that individuals are aware of the importance and appreciate the package in SRH as it will be able to protect the youth from the consequences of lack of SRH. The findings further confirmed that the church had witnessed youth being suspended due to unwanted pregnancies despite continuous preaching of abstinence. One of the worst scenarios mentioned by participants was the deaths of young women in the church suspected to have died from complications of unsafe abortions. However, church policies do not allow the Synod to promote SRH services.
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    A theological investigation into Malawian child labour : a challenge to CCAP Livingstonia synod
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-03) Gondwe, John; Cloete, Anita Louisa; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Motivated by the observation that child labour is harmful to children, this research aims to determine whether child labour could be described as a violation of human dignity. The research further attempts to develop a theological framework which the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (C.C.A.P) Synod of Livingstonia in Malawi could adopt in restoring the human dignity that might have been trodden on in child labour practices. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, eight ministers from two presbyteries were interviewed, using a structured questionnaire as the main tool for data collection. The data was analyzed using a thematic data analysis method. The findings indicated that child labour is any work done by children that is detrimental to their welfare. Such work was predominantly on tobacco farms both at commercial and at family levels, and was carried out under hazardous conditions. As a result children experience the following effects; physical abuse; psychological torture, sexual abuse; and these children may end up in perpetual poverty experiences, to mention just a few effects. The critical literature analysis done with reference to theological concept of human dignity, characterized the effects as a violation of human dignity. The main causes of child labour identified during this study were poverty, ignorance of short and long terms impact of child labour effects on children, and the cultural perceptions that children are equipped for the future if they are trained (socialized) to work hard at a tender age. By implication, as long as these causes exist, child labour may remain a problem and children may continue to suffer since these children do not enter labour by choice, but forced by the socio-economic and socio-cultural structures. Although these children experience this human degradation there is no way they can stop working on their own, because they do not have a voice, they are under the control of parents and employers. In this context this study would like to classify working children as among the marginalized, oppressed, weak and vulnerable groups in need of people and institution that can speak and act on their behalf. Therefore it is argued that there is a need for the church to advocate for the marginalized children in this context. The literature consulted further indicated that the church of Jesus Christ is responsible for providing spiritual and physical salvation to people, taking into account how long it may take to deal with some of the main causes of child labour. The church may consider its advocacy role of protecting the dignity of human beings created in the image of God with compassionate love. This research suggests recommendations that are in line with theological understanding of who the church is and the human dignity of people and specifically of children, to address the challenges of child labour practices. The recommendations attempt to involve different stakeholders of the community to work in a consortium.