Nthanda Times

Gift Nachuma – Contributor

  • Passion Center for Children Constructs 20 Houses for Vulnerable Youths in Zomba District

    Passion Center for Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable children, has revealed its plans to construct 20 houses under the Child Headed Household Program in Zomba district.

    The project, valued at over 130 million kwacha, aims to provide safe and secure housing for orphaned and abandoned children, with a particular focus on girls.

    During a recent handover ceremony of three houses in Tokota, Chelewani, and Makungula villages, Traditional Authority Mwambo, Saul Mateyu, the Executive Director of Passion Center for Children, expressed the organization’s commitment to improving the lives of these young individuals.

    “These children were living in camps or seeking shelter with others after their houses were destroyed by cyclone Freddy’s heavy rains. Our objective is to build 20 houses, and today, we are handing over three houses.

    “We aim to take care of vulnerable children, especially orphaned girls, by providing them with food, relief items, and reminding them that they are loved by God despite their circumstances,” said Mateyu during a press conference.

    One of the donated houses

    The comprehensive project, with a budget of 150 million kwacha, allocates approximately 6.5 million kwacha for each house. Passion Center for Children recognizes that housing is just one aspect of meeting the needs of these children who have experienced parental loss or abandonment.

    By providing holistic support, the organization aims to empower these young individuals to overcome adversity and create a brighter future.

    In his words, Reinghard Chavula, the District Commissioner for Zomba, praised the Passion Center for Children’s efforts and encouraged other organizations to follow their example.

    “I am truly grateful to witness this handover ceremony. The houses are well-built and spacious enough to accommodate these children for their entire lives. It is possible to change someone’s life, and this initiative demonstrates that,” stated Chavula, emphasizing the impact such projects can have on vulnerable children.

    Some of the children who have benefited from the donation

    Inspector Nison Chibondo, the Station Community Policing Coordinator for Zomba, called upon the community to play an active role in protecting children from harmful practices, including forced and arranged marriages.

    Chibondo emphasized that those found engaging in such activities would face legal consequences, as the law unequivocally upholds the rights and well-being of minors.

    “The law clearly stipulates that engaging in relationships with minors is punishable by life imprisonment. I also urge women who have been abandoned without following proper procedures to seek assistance from our office,” emphasized Chibondo, highlighting the importance of responsible parenthood and safeguarding children’s rights.

    Simat Mulikha, a grateful grandfather and beneficiary from the Dayesi family, expressed deep appreciation for the housing project, especially considering the challenging circumstances faced by the children.

    With two orphaned families under his care and struggling due to a poor harvest, the newly provided houses offered a lifeline.

    “In my family, I am taking care of two other orphaned families. Due to the poor harvest, we had nowhere to go. The arrival of these houses is truly a rescue. I appeal to generous individuals to support us with food and other essential materials to help us survive,” pleaded Mulikha, highlighting the ongoing challenges the families continue to face.

  • Marist Brothers, MRCS support 500 learners with food, non-food essentials

    Marist Brothers in Malawi with support from Misean Cara – a mission support organization from Ireland – in collaboration with the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) have provided 500 learners at Mayaka CDSS with food and non-food items worth MK15 million.

    During the donation event, it was revealed that the items were disbursed to school learners as well as mother groups in the area who were affected by Cyclone Freddy in March 2023.

    The items included sugar, soya pieces, blankets, cooking oil, flour, salt, hygiene kits for girls, as well as clothes and blankets.

    Part of the donation

    Brother Daniel Banda, the Finance and Administrator for Marist Brothers, spoke about their ongoing project called Girls Empowerment, which focuses on helping girls stay in school.

    “Education is a crucial need these days, so we train boys and girls to become good citizens in the country. Through that, we can develop as a nation. For that reason, we consulted our brothers from Ireland for support,” said Banda.

    Commenting on the same, Felix Washoni, MRCS Communications and Resource Mobilization Specialist, urged learners, parents, and guardians not to sell the donated items, emphasizing that they would help alleviate their difficulties.

    The donated items

    “A lot of learners were affected, and in the process, educational services were also disrupted. It is important to help them so that they can continue with their education. According to the statistics, many learners drop out of school because they lack support. Some lost their houses, others their clothes, and they did not have food. As the Red Cross, we commend the Marist Brothers for their support,” said Washoni.

    Testimony Kachingwe, the vice head girl at Mayaka CDSS, thanked the organizations for the help, and urged well-wishers to provide them with learning materials, as Cyclone Freddy not only disrupt their homes but also their school supplies.

    “Many learners did not perform well in their previous terms due to Freddy because they had no time to learn. Instead, they were moving up and down, searching for a place to live and food to eat,” Kachingwe concluded.

  • SRWB plans to open water bottling plant

    Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) has revealed plans to construct a water bottling plant, which is estimated to cost US$2.066 million (approximately MK2.1 billion).

    The plant will produce 10, 500 bottles per hour, which will also be packed in 5 and 20 liters volume.

    Furthermore, the plant will increase profitability for the board and it will take 6 months starting from May 2023.

    Clearing the place where the plant will be put

    SRWB Infrastructure Development Manager, Emmanuel Chirwa, said the plant construction was won by SMB general supplies with joint support from Caso Construction with funding from internal sources.

    “We are constructing this plant that will be able to produce bottled water to be sold on the market and we will be taking water from the treatment plant raw untreated water and will be treated and it will be treated here at the plant and we are expecting to be producing 9 cubic liters per hour almost 10 thousand 5 ml bottles per hour,” said Chirwa.

  • Ministry announces introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccine

    The Ministry of Health through the Zomba District Health Office has announced the introduction of the typhoid conjugate vaccine in Zomba.

    This has been said through the press briefing which the office has among others the campaign will commence on 15 to 21 May 2023.

    In Zomba the office targeted 435993 young people under the age of 0 months to 14 years. 

    Speaking to the press Alnod Mndalira public relation officer for Zomba district health office said among other young people will also receive the polio vaccine, Vitamin A, Typhoid vaccine as well as measles (Chikuku) vaccine.

    Ndalira addressing journalists

    “We will administer the polio vaccine to children under the age of 0 to 5 years, Vitamin A from the age of 6 months to 5 years, chikuku and Rubella from the age of 9 months to 5 years, and typhoid to children under the age of 9 months to 14 years and we will use schools, door to door campaign as well as hospital and clinics to administer the vaccines,” said Ndalira

    Ndalira also said that typhoid disease is caused by a bacteria called salmonella typh which is due to poor sanitation and the signs of the disease are constipation, stomach pains as well as a headache.

    “We are promoting hygiene at every household because the disease is dangerous but it is preventable” Mndalira concluded. 

    The program is funded by Gavi

  • Govt backs NICE on reintroduction of civics in school curricula

    Directorate of Civic Education in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity, and Culture has backed the proposal by the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust to reintroduce civics in the school curricula by the end of 2024. 

    The ministry’s Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Elizabeth Gomani Chindebvu, emphasized the need to teach children good behavior at a young age.

    She made the sentiments during an engagement meeting with the Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) on the reintroduction of civic studies in Zomba district.

    “This subject will help the young ones to know the basics of how to relate to one another, take care of the public property, be transparent, and be accountable. Through this activity, we will help the young ones to work hard and become good citizens,” said Chindebvu.

    Although there is a Social Studies subject in the curriculum, the ministry wants civics to stand out as a subject on its own, as it is critical for mindset change. 

    The Executive Director for MIE, Dr. Fritz Kadyoma, indicated that civics has been around for a long time, but the Ministry of Education, which is the policyholder on curriculum matters, decides on the integration of similar concepts to avoid overwhelming the learners.

     “There are people that believe that we are not doing enough about civics that is the reason why there is decay in patriotism and a decay of understanding the rights and responsibility among the citizens so as curriculum development center. We are willing to listen to what the public says about it, but in terms of policy, the Ministry of Education holds the role with regards to designing the policy and what policy can be taken MIE will just follow the Ministry of Education,” Kadyoma said. 

    Grey Kalindekafe, Executive Director of NICE, believes that introducing Civics as a subject will help reduce undemocratic tendencies among young people. 

    “Civics in our old days helped us to develop positive characters, so bringing it back will be an engine room of trying to create a citizen who is civically educated,” he said.

    The reintroduction of Civics as a subject will help instill important values and behaviors in young people, preparing them for responsible citizenship as well as equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand their rights and responsibilities and become active and engaged citizens.

  • Dzuka Malawi pushes for Atupele’s return to active politics

    United Democratic Front (UDF)-connected movement calling itself Dzuka Malawi has asked the party leader, Atupele Muluzi, to resurrect from his retirement to prepare for the 2025 presidential race.

    The movement has promised to support his candidature. The grouping made its stand at a press briefing  held in Zomba a few days ago.

    Dzuka Malawi expressed its trust in Atupele’s political experience, good reputation, and ability to revive Malawi from the deep poverty it currently faces. 

    Dzuka Malawi members addressing members of press in Zomba

    “Atupele Muluzi has the capacity to rebuild the country, just as his father did. We believe that he can govern the country with the needs of Malawians in mind. He has held big positions in the past, but we have never heard of any corrupt practices he was involved in. This is a sign that Atupele can take us to higher levels,” said Issack Austin Lalama, Treasurer General for Dzuka Malawi.

    Lalama also emphasized that the group would use media houses and social media platforms to reach out to as many Malawians as possible, to promote Atupele Muluzi as the right person to govern the nation.

    Dzuka Malawi started as a social media group in November 2022 with just 1,346 members. However, due to the challenges, Malawians are currently facing, the group has evolved into concerned citizens who are working hard to see Malawi prosper.

  • Govt to create Civic Education Hubs in all districts by 2030

    The Department of Civic Education in  the Ministry of Local Government and Unity has promised to establish Civic Education Hubs in all districts by 2030.

    The promise was made at the establishment of Zomba Civic Education Hub in the area of Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba. 

    Meanwhile, the department has piloted Nkhata Bay, Karonga, Phalombe, Machinga, Kasungu, Nsanje, Nkhotakota and Zomba.   

    The responsibility hubs are at national level, district council level and T/A level. 

    Principal Audiovisual Officer in the Department of Civic Education, Joseph Msiska, said the hubs are designed to highlight people on enabler one, which is mindset change, which gives lead to formation of civic education hubs.

    The hubs spearhead the community to change their mindset to positivity for them to actively and effectively to participate in the national and area development. 

    Captured during the establishment of Civic Centre in Zomba

    “The progress is good for the pilot districts we have started with and as a Department we are expecting the newly established hub here at Mwambo to move around and civic educate the community on different issues which affect them and to spearhead mindset change among the people for us to develop,” said Msiska. 

    Elected chairperson for Mwambo Civic Education Hub, Godfrey Saidi, said they will work in collaboration with all duty-bearersto fullfil the goals.

    ‘These hubs will help us to change our mindset to positivity in so doing the community will transform,” said Saidi.

    Group Village Headman Kadewere expressed gratitude for the establishment of the hub, saying it has come at a right time as people in the area lack civic education in many areas.

  • Zomba Press Club cleans hospital premises in commemoration of Labour Day

    Members of Zomba Press Club on Monday swept the premises of Zomba Central Hospital as part of their commemoration of this year’s Labour Day.

    The club’s spokesperson Mbanandi Saka Mahara said they thought it wise to celebrate and commemorate the day by dedicating their day to social work.

    “As a press club, we decide to come to Zomba central hospital to do the cleanups and to appreciate the work that is been done by hospital staff,” said Mahara.

    Members of the Zomba Press Club during the sweeping exercise

    The hospital’s Infection Prevention Coordinator who is also a nursing officer, Hendrina Saini Chiombeza, commended the club for the exercise, saying it had complemented their workers’ efforts to ensure a clean environment.

    “As a hospital, we planned to clean the hospital twice or three times a day, but due to few labor force, sometimes we fail to meet the requirements,” said Chiombeza.

  • Catholic movement urges cyclone survivors to participate in environmental restoration

    Christian Family Movement (CFM) – a lay Catholic organization – has urged survivors of Tropical Cyclone Freddy to take an active role in restoring the environment as one way of averting natural calamities in the future.

    CFM made the sentiments when it handed over a donation of food and non-food items to 114 families living at Namisisi Camp in the area of Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba district. The donation was valued at K2.3 million.

    CFM national president Francis Matewere said as an organization made of family couples from all the Catholic dioceses in Malawi, they believe the family comes first; hence, their decision to mobilize resources to reach out to families in distress due to the effects of the cyclone.

    Mabwilira (in red t-shirt) receiving the donation from Matewere being assisted by his wife and Fr. Chiwanda

    “The foundation of the church comes from the family. So, going forward, we will make sure that these people are settled and we will keep on writing to our partners and NGOs to come forward and to put up programs for recovery and settlement and even psycho social support to some of these people who have lost their families,” Matewere said.

    In his remarks, Father Innocent Chiwanda, who is also a Pastoral Secretary for the diocese, said the mission of the church is to go out and help people in every kind of need regardless of any distinction or religious beliefs.

    But Chiwanda pleaded with the survivors to consider replanting trees wherever they live.

    Fr. Chiwanda: Let us plant more trees to avert natural disasters in the future

    “God gave us nature and we are benefiting from it. So, we need to take care of it so that it also benefits us. Trees are important because they help to reduce soil erosion and other natural disasters. So, let us unite and work together to restore it, especially those in disaster prone areas,” he said.

    The camp chairperson Rodgers Mabwilira asked well-wishers to help them with mosquito nets and food, saying people are starving at the camp.

    “The donation has come at the right time because we have been here for some days without food so with these items we are grateful and I am urging other people who are willing to help us to come forward,” he said.

  • Media urged to join the fight against corruption

    In a bid to eradicate corruption in the country, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) organized a one-day training on corruption-related issues for journalists at the Zomba Press Club.

    The training was aimed to equip media practitioners with the skills to investigate and report corruption cases in the country.

    During the training, ACB Deputy Director General Hillary Chilumba revealed that the Bureau was planning to open another branch in Balaka district.

    Chilumba emphasized the need for ACB to come closer to the people and expand its presence in the country.

    Chilumpha: ACB wants to extend its presence in the country

    “As ACB, we have plans to establish many branches, but Balaka is our next branch this year,” Chilumba said.

    Chilumba also urged journalists to report without fear of being threatened and to refrain from being bought by politicians or business people.

    He emphasized the importance of journalists exposing what is wrong at the right time to ensure transparency and accountability.

    Zomba Press Club president Titus Linzi expressed his appreciation for the training, stating that it came at a time when corruption had become an everyday occurrence in the country.

    Linzi: The training has come at a right time

    “This training has equipped us with skills on how to investigate stories, how to report corruption, and it has also differentiated the types of corruption. With this knowledge, we will be able to reach people with correct information about corruption,” Linzi said.

    Linzi said the initiative is a step in the right direction towards combating corruption in the country as there is hope that more cases will be reported, and the perpetrators brought to justice.