2009 saw the launch of Malawi Youth Encounter, a new initiative from the Church of England's Youth Advisor and the Forum for Mission. This trip has been envisaged, not only to continue to deepen our twinned relationship with Malawi, but also to mark "International Year of the Child". In July 2009 young people from each of the 13 Deaneries of Birmingham Diocese went to Malawi to gain an understanding of culture, and life for children and young people in Malawi through a hands-on dynamic programme. From Handsworth to Solihull and Aston to Sutton they will came together to experience a totally different African culture.

The young people from Birmingham stayed at Zoa Tea Estate in southern Malawi. While there they worked alongside local workers: picking tea and coffee, drying fruit, fishing for Chambo and visiting the clinic and training centre. Most afternoons will were spent in Mwaya, a village on the Estate, where they met and interacted with children and young people through games and craft activities.

After a week experiencing rural Malawian life they travelled to Blantyre, Malawi's second city, where they met and talked to Christian young people from around the Southern Diocese. Through conversations and interaction young people from Birmingham Diocese were able to compare their involvement in church life and future leadership with that of their peers in Malawi.

This unique and life-changing experience will finished with a visit to Lake Malawi and Liwonde National Park before they returned home transformed and inspired by their Malawi Youth Encounter.

You can see videos from the DVD we produced of the trip on our youtube channel