Christian Training

Since the beginnings of Vila Maninga, there was a strong involvement with the local churches. But it's impossible to train a pastor and talk about God transforming hearts, without paying attention to daily hunger, educational needs and a hope for the future. So over the years a Christian Training Colleges was set up that was interested in the whole person - spiritually and physically. 

Our work began in 1996 as a residential college 2-year course, where we took in students from remote rural areas all over Mozambique who, along with their wives and families, came to stay at the project for the whole 2 years. This was an amazing experience for the whole family. The men trained to be Pastors but alongside this, they and their wives learnt a huge variety of skills from literacy, farming, vocational skills and healthcare. Their children would go to the Primary School (often their first chance to go to school). The whole family would return to their local areas hugely changed, to set up churches or to work in communities, working not only as Pastors but also sharing their other skills too.

Over the last few years, the programme changed. The project took in 100-150 Pastors and church elders from all over Mozambique, 3 times a year, for a week long conference where they were taught, equipped, refreshed and renewed. These Pastors then went off and trained another 10 people in their churches and communities and so their skills and knowledge is passed on.

As the local community takes on the day-to-day running of Vila Maninga, we envision something similiar to continue.