Thirty-four years after his first visit to Malawi in 1992, Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey returned last week to spend some time with colleagues from the University of Livingstonia and work on a Royal Society of Edinburgh sponsored research project they have developed together.
Thirty-four years after his first visit to Malawi in 1992, Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey returned last week to spend some time with colleagues from the University of Livingstonia and work on a Royal Society of Edinburgh sponsored research project they have developed together.
Faith, Protection, and Justice: The role of churches in strengthening community-based protection systems for elderly women experiencing witchcraft accusations and violence in the Mzimba District in Malawi is an eighteen month project Ken will lead with three staff from the Theology department of the University of Livingstonia including Drs Godwins Lwinga, Agnes Nyondo and Brian Theu.
One of the highlights of Ken’s visit to Malawi was a visit to one of the country’s Traditional Authority’s or local chiefs, Kampingo Sibande when he enjoyed the Ngoni culture and hospitality. Afterwards, he also met Christina Mphande who was a recent victim of significant witchcraft accusations and whose life was saved by the local chief.
‘I am thrilled,’ Ken enthused, ‘to have received this opportunity provided by the RSE to build our research-based collaborative partnership with colleagues from the University of Livingstonia, and to be able to participate in this vital research project that we hope will provide greater protection for elderly women from witchcraft accusations. Our relationship, between the University of Aberdeen and Livingstonia dates back more than 150 years to 1875 and it is exciting to be able to write another chapter in this long story.’