Our Gary takes on slave trade

A former charity worker from Kirkcudbright has begun 2019 with a 6,500-mile journey to Malawi with his family where he will take up a Church of Scotland funded post.

The Brough family prepare to head off to Malawi together where dad Gary has a major humanitarian task ehead

Gary Brough, 33, described moving with his wife Jaqueline and two children to Mzuzu in the north of the country as “a real family adventure.”

The former Head of Communications at Christian healthcare charity EMMS International, will spend the next three years promoting human rights issues.”

A committed Christian, Gary will work for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian - Synod of Livingstonia as part of its Church and Society Programme.

The synod’s name is a reminder that Gary is carrying on a fine old Scottish tradition.

He explained: “The programme aims to combat human trafficking, child marriage and gender-based violence. People get trafficked from and through Malawi to surrounding countries and beyond for cheap labour and as sex workers.

“I’ve come across some of these situations before. Very often these cases go unreported.

“Often women or girls are not taken seriously and there’s no-one to give representation.”

Another issue in the north of Malawi is a boom in mining and oil exploration which has led to “whole villages being moved without necessarily being fairly compensated,” he said.

“I’ll also be looking at how the programme can attract funding by showing some of the amazing work that is going on,” he added.

No stranger to the country, Gary has worked extensively with projects based in Africa in his previous job.

“I was attracted to the position as I have a background of working in communications in an international setting,

“The role allows the church in Malawi to have its own voice. It’s a brand new position for both them and me.

“As a result we hope other churches and organisations will help this vital work to grow and reach those who need it most.”

Mr Brough describes the change as his family’s “calling” and in the last few months they have been reading up on the country, meeting people connected to Malawi and even watching YouTube clips with their children.

He will join Dr Linus Manu, who went to Malawi last year to lead the programme’s legal team.

Mr Brough is currently working in partnership with the Presbytery of Hamilton, and the Presbytery of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright.

If your church is interested in hearing more about the work of the Church and Society Programme please contact Gary Brough through the Church of Scotland’s World Mission Council.