Catholics of Blantyre Archdiocese will this Friday put the spirit of self-help to the test when they hold a dinner and dance session in aid of retired and infirm priests' home.

Proceeds from the event, expected to raise at least K3 million, will go towards completion of the guest wing at St James Rectory (home for retired and infirm priests) at Limbe Cathedral in Blantyre.

Organising committee chairman, Peter Nkata, told The Sunday Times that , once completed, the guest wing will house visitors and relatives of aged priests.

"This is one of a series of fund-raising functions lined up over the course of the year," Nkata said.

Nkata said the projects are aimed at generating funds for major projects in the Archdiocese.

Nkata said the event, whose cost of entry is K7000 per head, has been well received by both individuals and organisations. He added that, so far, the response has been "very exciting".

The function will be punctuated by dancing, raffle tickets' sales, auctioning of property, and sumptuous meals.

"The function will be graced by a number of bishops, as the bishops are already in town for their meetings. Among them will be Bishop (Joseph) Zuza, chairperson of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Archbishop (Tarcisious) Ziyaye of the Archdiocese of Blantyre and, of course, our Auxiliary Bishop Montfort Sitima.

"As the function will attract high profile people, companies and organisations are encouraged to buy advertising space, and (the) companies will be given some few moments to talk about their products.

Tickets are still on sale and interested individuals can contact any of the organising committee members, namely: Leonard Chisale of Blantyre Print and Ulanda Maluza of Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority," Nkata said.

The guest of honour at the function, which is slated to start at 7 pm at Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel, will be Airtel managing director Saulos Chilima.