By Khumbo Mkandawire and Stelia Frank

Schools under Karonga Diocese organised a mega YCS rally at Chaminade, which involved several schools such as Kaseye Girls Secondary School, Chaminade, Karonga St Mary’s Girls Secondary School, St Monica CDSS among others.

The trip, which started around four in the afternoon, was partly affected by a breakdown at Kanyenjeri which robbed Kaseye Girls YCS of almost an hour. By eight in the evening, Kaseye Girls bus was within Chaminade campus surrounded by eager Chaminade boys. The conference which was a two days function, was organised by The Karonga Diocese with an aim of exposing YCS members to teachings centred on  loving Jesus Like Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-15)   

YCS visited Karonga prison

On Saturday, there was Mass which Father Chrispine Ngwira led on the theme of FAITH. In his homily, he emphasised on the need that young people should have faith in God if they want to prosper in life. Aside faith, he emphasised on the need for love to reign among students. Using the example of Kaseye Girls versus St Marys and Kaseye Girls versus Chaminade, created some hilarious moment considering the reality on how these three schools interact. However, the benchmark was that young people in the church should live as good examples of brotherly love, which has to exist among Christians.

Mass was followed by a teaching which was handled by Madam Chizumira the Headteacher of Karonga St Marys Girls’ Secondary School. Madam Chizumira centred her teaching on how adolescents can avoid early pregnancies.

The Saturday teachings were followed by a retinue of activities which included Karonga prison visitation and performances in the Chaminade Multipurpose Hall: the first to grace the stage was malipenga dance by the Chaminade boys. Their moves that resonated very well with the rhythm of the tom toms, their costume that made them look like airport attendants, fitted them very well. At the first beat of the drum, the hall was set ablaze, all those that were outside, couldn’t resist but run as quickly as their legs could carry them, to come and see the beautiful dance. Next performers such as Tuntufye, Joka and Patience did not disappoint the audience but maintained the tempo of the excitement in the multipurpose hall.

Chaminade boys with Malipenga dance

The day’s activities were nothing but a foreshadow of the disco that followed later that Saturday evening. The Dee Jey was superb, the boys were quick to fill the dance floor but the girls were too shy to dance. It even took the father himself to persuade the cold girls who wouldn’t mingle with the boys for the dance. The boy on the sound was resourceful, he studied the girls’ tastes and fished out the favourite. Honeey by Zuchu was the piece, the girls could not resist anymore, the multipurpose hall which is floored with heavy concrete was full of dust as the unrecognisable girls danced like ones under the influence of the muse. That one girl ended up messing herself after being pressed so hard did not get noticed but later. When the hour hand was hitting twelve midnight, it was like the disco had just started. The rather tired but reluctant youths went to retire in their respective rooms without believing that that blissful moment had ended just like that.

His Lordship, the Bishop posing with YCS patrons from various schools

Sunday, came earlier than usual following the late previous night disco. Schools responsible for Mass on that day were summoned to practice. The practice that was led by a rather strict but angelic voiced patron, went perfectly well following the very serious tone it took. Mass was taken by the His Lordship, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka. The theme of the mass was LOVE. Reiterating the previous teaching of Father Ngwira, His Lordship urged YCSers to always exercise love among each other. He even went on to encourage members of the Catholic Church to strengthen their bonds and if possible marry within the church for the growth of the church.

 
The mingling and intermingling were good