A small church’s gifts toward a teacher’s dream helped establish a self-sufficient school in Africa  

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Britannia Baptist Church is celebrating a milestone. Despite their size, the church helped establish a school in Malawi. Eight years in, the school’s first students have progressed from Kindergarten and will graduate from Grade 8 on August 20.

“It started as a Kindergarten with five children, in 2013, and now has 120 children from Kindergarten to Grade 8,” says Terry Orchard, who pastors Britannia Baptist. “We are a small church of largely single moms in subsidized housing. God has called us to reach those who are challenged here, but also to support those who are developing this school to reach these kids, many of whom come from a Muslim background.”

Not only are the school’s first students about to graduate, but the school will soon be self-sustaining, through the strategic investments of a small group of committed believers. It all started with a safari vacation and an unlikely meeting.

In 2011, a woman named Rose Alcazaren Apilado finished a tour of Africa by visiting some missionary friends in Malawi. She was distressed to see many children who were not in school.

Rose Alcazaren Apilado (centre) stands with students from the school she started. (Screengrab from muntingnayon.com)

“One of the church leaders asked if I could come back and help. I went back the following year, in April, and stayed until I started the school on September 9, 2013.”

Meanwhile, Orchard was in Africa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Malawi (a denomination he co-founded). He was quite surprised when he met Alcazaren Apilado, a retired Filipino-Canadian teacher.

“I thought it was unique to meet a Canadian, in Central Africa, who speaks the same Filipino dialect as my wife, and she was surrounded by children. We connected and [Britannia Baptist] decided to support the development of this school.”

Managed by the Evangelical Baptist Church of Malawi, the school charges lower fees than other schools in the area. Britannia Baptist’s support covers costs for families who cannot afford to send their children. Yet, both the denomination and Britannia Baptist are determined to avoid creating dependency and the imbalanced relationships that come with it.

“Through the ovens, the school generated money that was used to buy masks for the children and sanitary pads for older girls who would not be able to go to school otherwise.” Photo courtesy of Terry Orchard.

“We were able to purchase two [outdoor] ovens that had fallen apart,” Orchard says. “We repaired them and built a roof so we can prepare dough out of the rain and away from insects and dust. Under the providence of God, the school land is above a huge aquifer. We have a source of fresh water, so I said, ‘Why don’t we develop fish ponds?’”

One fish pond recently produced its first harvest. Two more are in the works, but COVID lockdowns stopped the work and doubled the cost of materials.

“They will produce at least 1,500 fish per pond, every six months, once they become operational. We are still providing most of the money for buying the fingerlings and food, but once we have more than one fish pond operating, the money generated will be able to provide all the operating costs and additional expenses for the school.

“Through the ovens [the school] generated money that was used to buy masks for the children and sanitary pads for older girls who would not be able to go to school otherwise.”

With a bright future set for the school and students, they have much to celebrate. Photo courtesy of Terry Orchard.

Despite its small start, helped by a small church, the school has a big vision. They hope to build on their property so they can host up to 600 primary school students and 300 in secondary school. Through the school, the local church is also reaching out to the village.

“[The students] are mostly Muslims, but they go to a school that uses a Christian curriculum and teaches Bible stories,” explains Alcazaren Apilado. “I thought this would be a way to invite them to Christianity. They can decide if this is the kind of life they want.”

With a bright future set for the school and students, they have much to celebrate.

“The outcomes for students have been very good,” Orchard states. “Some have been with us right from the beginning and will be graduating August 20, from Grade 8. It’s a big day for them to have come this far and be finishing their primary education.”