Warmed hearts for Malawi

Warmed hearts for Malawi

During this school year (2024-2025), Chatham Christian School participated in the Warm Heart Project in partnership with EduDeo to raise money for special needs schools in Malawi. Our Elementary School and High School decided on many various events so that all of the students could be impacted by this fundraising event all year; events like bake sales, candy gram sales, cafes, a March Madness Reading Fundraiser and a pottery sale! 

To introduce staff and students to the Warm Heart Project in October, we were so blessed to welcome two visitors; Tom Deelstra from EduDeo and Joseph Munyimbili from CCAP Livingstonia in Malawi. Joseph is the Executive Director of Education for these Christian Schools in Malawi (850 primary, 7 secondary, 1 university and 1 teacher training school). They came to CCS to visit with the students and teachers to tell them about the work God is doing in Malawi and the needs and challenges that they face.

The Warm Heart Project is specifically raising funding for special needs schools, gardens, and for teacher training. We were so honoured to have them visit us and learn more about this partnership and how we can help here at CCS!

Elementary School:

The Elementary School teachers and students came up with quite a variety of fun projects that the students could be involved in and fundraise for the Warm Heart Project. 

The Grade 4 Class held a Bake Sale in November. They learned about Malawi in class and discussed the challenges and needs of the students at the special needs schools. Then they made posters to advertise their Bake Sale and each student baked items at home with parents to bring to school to sell!

In February, Grades 1 and 5 Classes made and sold Candy Grams for Valentine's Day. The students worked very hard to make around 700 Candy Grams in 11 various styles, all with different candy, suckers or gum balls, each with a cute slogan to go along with it! This was a really fun partnership between Grade 1 and Grade 5 students. They looked forward to spending time with each other for the weeks it took to make these!

The March Madness Reading Fundraiser was inspired by March Madness in Basketball, but it was a contest for picture books and all the students from SK to Grade 6 participated in it. It started after March Break and lasted until Easter. Each student entered their favourite picture book into the contest. Then classrooms competed against each other. They would read two picture books every day and vote for their favourites, and continue every day…until each class had a final winner! Then we had Divisional Contests to determine our overall "Champion Book"!

The school accepted fundraising donations for EduDeo’s Warm Heart Project for the duration of this event. Children gave a toonie (or more) and it was pooled together to support Special Needs schools in Malawi.

It was so fun to see all the students from SK to Grade 6 participating in this event and we all looked forward to some fun reading over these few weeks and were guessing which picture book would be the FINAL WINNER!

The Grade 6 Class created some Warm Heart Pottery pieces and sold them at our annual Grandparents’ Day at school. They made and glazed mugs or cups with hearts on them, bowls or plates in heart shapes and they also made some keychains and magnets for their Grandparents.

These two grandparents were happy to buy the mug and cup that their granddaughters made.

High School:
Our High School Warm Hearts Club has been busy this year! Every other Thursday we would gather to be reminded of the calling God has placed on our lives to serve others and to show Christ's love to everyone.  We completed a few Warm Hearts Cafes that consisted of hot chocolate, Maple City Bakery donuts, and other goodies.  Additionally, we rallied support from our Civics classes to use their final project to fundraise for this worthy cause.  Many students raised money through selling baked goods, school lunches, and various products that they had created.  It was a demonstration of how when we work together, we can achieve great things! We are thankful for the opportunity to be a blessing to others in Malawi.  (written by Brittany Floin)

What a wonderful year it has been! We’ve been truly honoured to partner with EduDeo in Malawi. It was especially meaningful to see all of our students involved—from our youngest in SK to our graduating Grade 12s—taking part in hands-on, practical fundraisers. Each student had the opportunity to contribute in their own way, helping to bless others. We’re thrilled to share that together we raised $3,200! Our prayer is that God will multiply these gifts and use them for His glory—to support students and teachers in Malawi’s special needs schools and remind them of His deep love for each one of them.