By Solister Mogha

Zomba, October 5, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) on Thursday engaged community leaders in Zomba to discuss the organization’s aspirations and challenges in the course of disbursing loans to the underserved population.

NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni, said the meeting was a follow up to the previous meeting held in April this year where it was agreed that quarterly meetings should be conducted for updates.

“Sharing experience is of paramount importance hence this meeting. From this meeting, we expect to have constructive ideas that will improve NEEF operations,” he said.

Zomba City Mayor, Christopher Jana, hailed NEEF for organizing the meeting, which, he said, would iron out some of the impending challenges for people to access loans.

He observed that there is a lot that needs to be addressed despite NEEF’s contribution in empowering Malawians economically citing delays in disbursing loans to applicants.

“Sometimes we wonder if NEEF is really meant for Malawians.  It takes long for people to access loans and this is an issue that needs to be addressed,” Jana said.

Jana, therefore, expressed hope that NEEF will take into consideration all the concerns raised during the meeting for the benefit of the underserved Malawians that aspire to be economically stable through NEEF loans.  

Members of Parliament in Zomba, ward councilors, chiefs and business people were among those who attended the meeting.

So far, NEEF has disbursed K237 billion and the repayment is at 81 percent.

NEEF is a government owned microfinance institution whose mission is to economically empower ordinary and underserved Malawians

By Towera Kumwenda

Mzuzu, October 4, Mana: Mzimba North District Health Office (DHO) and other health authorities have expressed concern over cases of zero-dose children and vaccine defaulters in the district.

Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Coordinator for Mzimba North DHO, George Nundwe, raised the concern at Chigude in the district on Thursday during an interactive meeting with members of Chigude Mother Care Group.

The meeting was organized by Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) through its project which aims at identifying zero-dose children and strengthening routine immunization.

Nundwe said over 10 children within the catchment area of Chigude Health Post are unvaccinated while some continue to default.

He said the development was an indication that about 20 percent of children in the district are either unvaccinated or have defaulted vaccines. 

“We have equipped mother care group with knowledge on channels to ensure that households are reached with adequate information on the importance of vaccinating their children.

“This arrangement is also aimed at dispelling misconceptions or beliefs surrounding vaccination hence we regularly hold such meetings with influential leaders and mother groups within their communities to scale up various vaccination initiatives,” said Nundwe.

Chairperson for Chigude Mother Care Group, Gertrude Muyaba, cited long distance to health facilities, lack of adequate information on vaccination and poor road infrastructure as some of the challenges counteracting efforts in ensuring that under five access vaccines.

“We, therefore, suggest that health surveillance assistants should be provided with transport which they can use to reach and vaccinate children in hard-to-reach areas,” said Muyaba.

MHEN Assistant Project Officer, Herbert Chakwawa, noted that some of the households deny their children vaccines due to religious and cultural beliefs.

He called for coordinated efforts among various stakeholders in addressing the challenge.

Inkosana Chimimba Nkhata said there are by-laws with penalties within his area to motivate households to have all children are vaccinated.

The project which is being implemented by MHEN in partnership with PATH through the Ministry of Health is taking place in Mzimba North, Mchinji, Blantyre and Dowa.

By Emily M'mangisa

Zomba, October 5, Mana: Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (Mwasip) has disbursed grants amounting to K285 million to communities implementing sustainable land management activities in Zomba District.

The funds are meant to encourage members through their Village Level Action Plan (VILAPS) to continue conserving the environment while establishing small-scale businesses.

Speaking during the funds disbursement at Chingale in the district, Zomba District Commissioner, Reignhard Chavula, advised farmers to invest the money into profitable enterprises.

She said although the grant is a token of appreciation for participating in conserving the environment, recipients of the grants should use the resources for businesses that should bring profits to broaden their income base.

“The value of money depends on how you use it. I, therefore, urge you to invest this money into something that will continue to spin money for you,” Chavula advised the recipients.

Mwasip Technical Officer, Joseph Kanyangalazi, said the Community Environmental Conservation Fund is aimed at encouraging farmers to conserve the environment.

He said farmers in Zomba have managed to restore 7,000 hectares which is worth rewarding.

“The target is 8,000 hectares and I believe that this will be achieved and even surpassed. All the 77 groups have been awarded with grants in recognition to their efforts to conserve the environment,” Kanyangalazi said.

One of the recipients, Joseph Kachimanga, said the gesture has motivated communities to continue protecting and conserving the environment in Chingale and has since promised to effectively utilize the funds.

Mwasip, which aims at restoring 4.5 million of degraded hectares by 2030, has been implementing sustainable land management activities for over four years in Chingale, an area along the Shire River Basin.

The objective of the project is to reduce soil degradation and river siltation due to human activities which include deforestation and cultivation along the river line.

By Stella Mwalwanda

Mzuzu, September 3, Mana: Mzimba North District Health Office (DHO) has applauded Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) for empowering mother care groups (MCG) to promote immunization of under five children in Mzimba district.

Speaking in Traditional Authority (TA) Kampingo Sibande on Thursday, Expanded Program on Immunization Coordinator for Mzimba North DHO, George Nundwe, said the coming in of the MCGs will help eradicate some of the challenges the area has been facing such as long distance to access vaccines.

“MCGs help to identify zero dose children and encourage mothers to know the value of vaccines and track down farm workers and encourage them to send children for immunization so that no child is left unvaccinated,” said Nundwe.

Chairperson for Chigude MCG, Getrude Muyabo, appreciated the initiative saying many people now understand the need for vaccines.

“With the training we have received, we are able to teach others and encourage them to go for vaccination and we have experienced change,” said Muyabo.

Group Village Headman Inkosana Chimimba Nkhata said they take part in the initiative by not only encouraging other chiefs but also imposing fines on those who refuse to vaccinate their children.

MHEN Assistant Project Officer, Herbert Chikwawa, said the core objective of working with MCGs is to provide them with capacity to be part of the solution to health challenges in the community.

“This is achieved through provision of capacity building on how MCGs can trace immunization defaulters and how they can encourage women to take their children for immunization,” Chikwawa said.

MHEN is implementing the project in partnership with Ministry of Health since August last year.

By Patience Kapinda

Lilongwe, October 5, Mana: Malawi's music scene just got a boost with Caleb's latest reggae track, "Kuleza."

This catchy tune is more than just a great listen; it is a powerful call to action.

In "Kuleza," Caleb shares his vision for a harmonious community, where love and kindness reign supreme.

With every lyric, he emphasizes the importance of humility, cooperation and mutual support.

"I want people to understand that love and hospitality are essential. We need to remove hatred from our communities and learn to live together in peace,” he explains.

The song's message is particularly timely, as Malawi approaches its general elections next year.

Violence and division have marred past elections, but Caleb's music offers a beacon of hope.

For fans like Jon Barry, "Kuleza" is more than just a song; it is a rallying cry.

"Caleb is one of my favorite upcoming artists. His music preaches positivity, and 'Kuleza' is no exception. The song encourages peace among different political parties, which is crucial for our communities,” Barry said.

He believes "Kuleza" will play a significant role in promoting peace in the upcoming elections.

With "Kuleza," Caleb proves music can be entertaining, thought-provoking and inspire real change.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, October 4, Mana: Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, Siri Frette Allsted, has emphasized that the funding amounting to US$3.5 million which the Norwegian Government has supported Malawi through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will support strengthening of foundation for learning in Malawi.

Speaking during a press conference at Capital Hill in Lilongwe on Friday, Frette said Norway reaffirms its commitment to work with the government of Malawi and partners to give children education opportunities.

“I would like to thank UNICEF for the excellent partnership and your engagement with the Malawi Government to support education for all children,” she said.

Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, said the contribution is a clear demonstration of dedication to shared goals and will play a crucial role in addressing key challenges within the education sector.

“We are confident that we will see significant improvements in learning outcomes, particularly in the early years of education. This strategy is not only aligned with the NESIP 2020-2030 but also with the Malawi 2063 which places education at the core of our national development efforts,” she stated.

UNICEF Representative in Malawi, Shadrack Omol, said UNICEF effectively supports the Government of Malawi in its goals to enhance learning outcomes and bring a first class learning ecosystem to every child in Malawi through flexible funding.

“This flexible funding allows UNICEF to effectively tackle critical issues in our education sector, such as access to quality inclusive early childhood and lower primary education to further strengthen the foundations for learning in Malawi,” he said.