St. Paul the Apostle Minor Seminary

                                            
A few miles outside the town of Mangochi in the southeast African nation of Malawi lies St. Paul the Apostle Minor Seminary. Seated at the base of the majestic Chiusi Hills, the all-boys boarding school boasts some of the finest Catholic education in the nation. 

Established in 1985 by Italian missionaries, it quickly became a beacon of faith, planting a seed of faith and education in the Catholic Diocese of Mangochi. For over 30 years, the school has transformed the Mangochi area by educating and forming solid young men who eventually grow into their roles as community leaders. Fr. Francis Kachere, the current head teacher at St. Paul’s, was a member of the school’s first graduating class.

 “This place was still under construction when I was here,” he says with a laugh. “Today you can find my classmates holding top positions within government, military, and the church across Malawi.”


                    The school’s view of the Chiusi Hills


In the 30 years following his time at St. Paul’s, Fr. Kachere has served throughout the diocese, eventually finding himself giving back to the same institution that transformed him into the servant leader he is today. He and his fellow classmates are living examples of the school’s inherent ability to produce motivated leaders.

From the start, the Italian-run school flourished, producing hundreds of high-caliber individuals. Unfortunately, as time marched on, the original missionaries slowly passed on. Their extraordinary years of service and dedication established a culture of achievement that would guide the school for decades to come. However, as the missionaries gradually disappeared, so did the financial support from Italy. Faced with a serious lack of resources, the diocese struggled to pay for the institution and its beautiful yet sophisticated campus. Although a small amount of annual funding was obtained from the Pontifical Mission Society, the school still had no choice but to divert its capital to the most necessary expenditures. In the face of this adversity, however, the administration chose to “fight the good fight of faith,” as the school motto states.  

                           Entrance to the recreation hall


Their work was not in vain. With extremely limited funds at their disposal, the priests and other faculty have successfully maintained the campus and kept its doors open to the community. In fact, the school works to accept as many students as possible. Sadly, in one of the world’s poorest nations, that also means dealing with families that are often reluctant or unable to pay school fees. Despite these challenges, Fr. Simon Mundisiye, the rector of the seminary, ensures that St. Paul does everything in its power to retain as many students as possible.

“We encourage our learners to take part in a family spirit,” he explains. “Once they begin their journey at St. Paul’s, they are always a part of our family, and we treat them as such even decades after graduation.”


       Fr. Mundisiye, and him with members of St. Paul’s
                                          basketball team


Today, thanks to this initiative, the school has a record-breaking enrollment of 323 students. Working around the clock to provide for them, Fr. Mundisiye and the rest of the staff have made it possible to feed, house, and educate every young man that wants to study at St. Paul’s. However, it comes at a cost. While immersing its learners in an outstanding educational environment, the school struggles to produce adequate educational materials for the multitude of students. Currently, there is roughly one textbook for every 15 students. With a ratio like this, it is a profound challenge for each student to access the vital material he needs to succeed. To safeguard this small amount of textbooks, the librarian has to physically search every person that leaves the school library. 


                  A few of the school’s coveted textbooks


I joined the SPAS family just over three months ago, and I can testify to the immense need. Due to the inadequate number of textbooks, students are sometimes forced to access books from other schools. With each textbook costing an average of only $8-9, a small donation could make a world of difference. This administration’s history is a testament to its outstanding ability to employ small amounts of money in the most effective way. 


                              Me with some of my students

Despite insufficient funding, the school makes no excuses. Its spirit of perseverance and achievement has placed it in the top 15 schools in the nation. The only factor limiting this institution’s stellar leadership is a lack of resources, so I’m inviting you today to consider a donation of any size to our campaign. The investment you make in the SPAS Family will transform lives and build up leaders who will advance their communities and ultimately the development of southeast Africa. Join us as we “fight the good fight of faith”—faith in God, and faith in the next generation of leaders.


       A sunset viewed from the school’s main entrance