In rural Malawi, the village chief has a great level of power and influence within his/her local community. However, few get opportunity to receive specific training to serve as Chief, and some may misuse their authority. In the wider community, there is sexual abuse of young girls, young children forced to work rather than attend school, social injustice for widows and environmental destruction. As guardians of traditional cultural practices, chiefs and church pastors may experience conflict.

The Kerusso Trust and our Malawian partner J-Life have developed the 'Learn2Serve4Chiefs' programme, to bring Bible-based training for village chiefs. Over the past five years, this has been delivered to about 1000 chiefs in Blantyre West, with over 95% of chiefs attending. Working with four Senior Chiefs, community bylaws have been set to enforce social justice and environmental protections. The senior chiefs in Blantyre East are asking us to bring the same trainings and bylaws to their areas.