Communities in Traditional Authority (TA) Kaphuka in Dedza have commended the Community Development Month (CDM) initiative, saying it has empowered them to identify their needs and devise local solutions.
The remarks were made Wednesday when officials from Dedza District Council visited two projects being implemented in the area under the initiative.
Group Village Head Chafwala said, together with other local leaders and community members, they decided to construct a Community Based Childcare Centre (CBCC) to promote early childhood education in the area.
“We want our children to grow into independent future leaders because promoting education here has always been a challenge. On average, 30 children attend classes daily, but we want to expand so that more children can benefit,” he said.
He added that the community still needs support to complete roofing of the structure so that children can continue learning without interruption.
At Makankhula Village, community members are engaged in tree regeneration and conservation activities on Ntcheu Hill, including creating firebreaks and planting both natural and fruit trees.
A member of the Ntcheu Hill Committee, Christina Mpinganjira, said environmental restoration has already started showing positive results.
“Some wild animals that had disappeared are returning. We also plan to start bee keeping to generate income. We are already enjoying wild fruits from the forest, and to protect it from encroachment, we take turns guarding it,” she said.
Mpinganjira expressed appreciation to Dedza District Council for providing knowledge and skills that is helping communities care for their environment.
Community Development Assistant for Kaphuka Area, Oswald Manda, praised the communities for their unity and commitment.
“Both at Chafwala and Makankhula, communities are demonstrating impressive progress. These are just examples; other villages are also undertaking initiatives such as community road rehabilitation. As an office, we are proud of the coordination and self-drive being shown,” he said.
Manda encouraged other partners and well-wishers to collaborate with the communities, saying their doors remain open to further support.
Government designated March as Community Development Month, a period during which communities across the country take lead in implementing self-help projects aimed at improving their livelihoods.