MANAonline
German organization commits to supporting education for children
By Mary Sichali
Karonga, November 9, Mana: Kindernothilfe (KNH) Malawi and Zimbabwe Programme Manager, Katharina Baumgarten has expressed her organisation's continued support for efforts to provide children with a good start in life through education.
Baumgarten said this on Friday in Karonga during an interface meeting to evaluate progress of different development projects funded by KNH and implemented by Future Planning for the Child (FPC) in four primary schools in the area of Senior Chief Kilupula.
"I have seen that in Karonga, FPC has done a great job improving the quality of education through gathering influential stakeholders in the sector to ensure effective results in the future of the children," Baumgarten said.
“Seeing government officials, local stakeholders, community leaders and parents sit down and offer a listening ear to the children airing out the challenges they face in their schools and provide feedback on the projects was very incredible,” she added.
She said it showed that FPC has done a great job in creating a space for the children and bringing all the stakeholders together to encourage and support the children to stand up for themselves and represent their fellow children.
On his part, Director of Administration at Karonga District Council Steve Chima hailed FPC for organising the meeting to allow stakeholders to hear from the children themselves and take action.
“We will use our own means to implement the projects like building toilets and girls changing rooms by writing project proposals to partners and well-wishers to assist in the endeavor," Chima said.
Executive Director for FPC, Amos Chindamba appreciated stakeholders for sparing their time to listen and suggest possible interventions to address the educational needs of children.
“Today we were looking at the reports from four primary schools and we have witnessed some progress. However, there are still gaps that need to be filled to improve the quality of education for our children. I believe through this meeting, action will be taken to address the gaps", Chindamba said.
Kindernothilfe (KNH) is a charity organization founded in 1959 by a group of Christians in Duisburg, Germany, in order to help needy children in India. Over time, it has become one of the largest Christian organizations in Europe for children's aid across the World.
DoDMA orients disaster risk management committees in likoma
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, November 9, Mana: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has oriented District Disaster Risk Management and Area Disaster Risk Management Committees from Likoma and Chizumulu Island on beneficiary targeting in 2024/2025 Lean Season Food Response Programme.
Speaking on Friday during the orientation in Likoma, Director of Preparedness and Response for DoDMA, Moses Chimphepo said the purpose of the meeting was to inform the committees on how best to select deserving beneficiaries.
“The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with the members on how best they can select the right beneficiaries during maize distribution exercise. There are some challenges that we have been experiencing throughout the country including selection of undeserving beneficiaries,” said Chimphepo.
He said the committees need to have the segregated data when registering inorder to know how many men or women, the elderly, orphans, people with disabilities are suppose to benefit from the program.
District Commissioner for Likoma, Abubakar Nkhoma advised the committees to put into practice whatever knowledge gained from the orientation.
“It is the government’s wish to reach out to the affected families with maize. As committee members, we need to play a vital role in the exercise. So let us take whatever we have been told here,” said Nkhoma.
Chairperson for Area Disaster Risk Management from Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Mwase, Stanley Jafu thanked DoDMA for the orientation saying it was an eye opener for everyone.
“This meeting is very crucial because last year we encountered some challenges. Things never went well during the maize distribution exercise as some people registered their relatives,” said Jafu.
Rumphi DC urges people to register
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, November 9, Mana: Rumphi District Commissioner, Emmanuel Bulukutu has urged the people of Rumphi to exercise their constitutional right by registering to be able to vote in 2025 tripartite elections.
Bulukutu made the remarks after registering at Rumphi Magistrate Court Centre on Saturday.
"If people do not register they will not be able to vote in 2025 tripartite elections. I am requesting all people of Rumphi to register so that they may choose a leader of their choice," said Bulukutu.
A supervisor at Saint Denis Primary School Centre, Nicolas Msukwa says since they opened the centre in the morning people have been coming to register.
"We have not gone for up to 10 minutes without someone coming to register. We are hoping that the numbers will improve in the coming days," said Msukwa.
Rumphi Prison Centre supervisor, Evans Phiri has said inmates and some officers at the centre have already started registering. There are at least 300 inmates at Rumphi Prison.
An inmate at the prison, Lebohang Banda says he will register to choose a leader who will improve their welfare such as equipping them with vocational in carpentry, mechanics and others for easy reintegration in the community after completing their sentences.
The registration excise will run from Saturday, November 9 to 22 November, 2024. There are 168 voter registration centres in the district.
Embrace cleanliness to prevent diseases, Mzimba people told
By Alexander Tchongwe
Mzimba, November 9, Mana: Principal Environmental Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, James Pelani, has advised communities and traders in Mzimba to embrace cleanliness as a daily routine to prevent diseases that affect people due to lack of sanitation.
Pelani made the remarks on Friday during a Clean-Up exercise that the council organized and took place in various places of the districts such as offices, schools, residential areas, and markets.
He stated that as the rainy season approaches, it is essential for people to maintain cleanliness, including activities such as filling open pits and clearing blocked drainage systems, which serve as breeding grounds for malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
Pelani said communities should ensure all unused pits are buried, and all grass and shrubs are cleared to make sure mosquitoes have no breeding grounds.
“As a council, we appeal to people to consider doing these clean-up exercises as routine work in communities where they stay more especially this time when weather forecasts show rains may start this month. We just set the precedence in cleanliness let communities continue with it,” said Pelani.
He appealed to businesspeople, traditional leaders, and church leaders to take a lead in these clean-up activities.
A Chanthomba resident who took part in the exercise at Mzimba Market, Ephraim Songa said residents need to take responsibility over areas they reside and do business.
“Our communities and towns are becoming filthy because we have forgotten about our civic duty to make them clean. We throw litter anyhow and everywhere which is not helping in making our places look good. Let's all be responsible in taking care of places where we live and conduct our businesses for our healthy living,” he said.
Mzimba District Council’s Public Relations Officer, Joel Phiri, expressed his appreciation for the turnout.
“We are pleased to see people turn out for the exercise today. This shows that the community supports this initiative.
“Such exercises are essential not only to keep our environment clean but also to protect ourselves from diseases linked to poor sanitation,” he said.
The clean-up aligns with Malawi’s 2063 agenda, which highlights the importance of a clean and healthy environment for the country’s future. Through efforts like these, Mzimba District Council is supporting the goal of making Malawi a better place for everyone.
Man arrested for selling counterfeit maize seed in Mzuzu
By Nolious Gondwe
Mzuzu, November 9, Mana: Police in Mzuzu, Friday arrested Bamusi Dyton, 30 for allegedly being found selling counterfeit seeds.
The arrest was effected following a tip and complaint by Seed-Co Malawi officials that Dayton was selling the seed within Mzuzu City.
When contacted, Seed-Co Regional Manager for the north, Adrian Mtambo, said that the company received information from a customer that the suspect was selling counterfeit maize seed in packets with Seed-Co Malawi brands.
“This prompted us to report the issue to police as Seed-Co Malawi is yet to put its seed on the market,” said Mtambo.
Deputy Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police, Cecelia Mfune said upon arrest, Dyton was found with a large quantity of maize seed comprising 50 packets of 2 kilograms (Kgs) DKC83-25 and 28 packets of 5 kgs DKC83-25 with Mozambican labels among other quantities.
Dyton who hails from Ndalama Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba has since been charged with possession and selling of counterfeit products.
Ungweru organization clocks two decades of its existence
By Martin Mailosi
Mzuzu, November 8, Mana: Ungweru which is charitable non-governmental organization based in Mzuzu City, on Friday celebrated its two decades of its existence in working with various sectors of people.
According to Praise Kajogolo-17, a resident of Mzuzu City, he has acquired computer skills and data analysis through trainings which are offered by the organization.
“The organization has also changed our mindset towards entrepreneurship and enhanced our analytical reasoning in finding solutions to challenges affecting our businesses and communities.
We have also attained effective communication skills and how we can protect ourselves from falling victims to scammers in this error where almost everything is going digital,” said Kajogolo.
Kettie Phiri-16 who also lives in Mzuzu, commended Ungweru organization for drilling young people in various areas such as Information Communication Technology (ICT) tailoring and designing, business management among others.
According to the Director of Ungweru Organization, Sam Phiri, the institution has branches in Mzimba through which it engages young people in initiatives geared at improving their livelihoods, environmental protection and enhancing community resilience to climate change shocks.
“Our interventions are tailor made to suit youth empowerment approaches in various fields and I am pleased to say about 15,000 young people have graduated and awarded certificates in different fields since the establishment of this institution twenty years ago,” said Phiri.
During the day, the institution’s workers and students conducted a cleanup exercise around the surrounding of the organization’s campus area to motivate people to participate in the promotion of sanitation and hygiene in their areas.
The organization has this year awarded certificates in ICT to 70 students.
Engineer Mumba urges youth to be interested in affairs of the country
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, November 9, Mana: Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba has urged young people across the country to be interested in the affairs of the country.
Mumba was speaking on Friday in Mzuzu during the signing ceremony of a three year-MK45 million sponsorship of Northern Zone Basketball League which he has financed to promote Volleyball in the northern region and the country as a whole.
Taking advantage of the ceremony, Engineer Mumba said that the youth do not take pride in the affairs of the country, hence due to lack of such an interest leads them to embark on undesirable behaviors.
“Young people are supposed to be innovative, must come up with innovative ideas which can be refined in consultation with other stakeholders for financing. This can in a long run make youths economically active.
I have a passion for volleyball hence raising the sponsorship from MKl5 Million to MK45 million and besides this, I support this drive as also a platform through which various stakeholders can be engaging the youth on different issues for the country’s development,” said Mumba.
To ensure that the volleyball teams are provided with conducive playing environment for the game, Mumba urged authorities in volleyball arena and others to identify land for construction of volleyball court in Mzuzu.
“I am going to pay for the land and construct the court in partnership with other stakeholders so that, together we contribute to the development of the sport in the region and the country as a whole,” said Mumba.
General Secretary for Basket Ball Association of Malawi, Peter Gomani, commended Mumba for the sponsorship which he will contribute to unlocking of hidden volleyball talent, hence enhancing development and populace of the sport.
“We don’t take this for granted We therefore assure Engineer Mumba that we will be accountable and encourage reporting at every level to safeguard what you have given us,” said Gomani.
Silver Strikers face Nyasa Big Bullets in Airtel Top 8 final
By Alinafe Kapatamoyo
Lilongwe, 9th November, Mana: The stage is set at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe as Silver Strikers take on Nyasa Big Bullets today in the highly anticipated Airtel Top 8 Cup final.
This marks the second time the two teams have faced each other in the final of this tournament. Last year, Silver Strikers were defeated by Nyasa Big Bullets in a penalty shootout, with Bullets claiming the title.
Will Nyasa Big Bullets successfully defend their title as reigning champions? 90 minutes of play will determine who appears as the winner of the 2024 Airtel Top 8 Cup.
Digital skills training key to unlocking future innovators and entrepreneurs
BY Paul Madise
Lilongwe November 09, Mana: Manager of Hello School Program at Malawi University of Business and Applies Sciences (MUBAS) Innovation Hub, Tamara Chitawo says Hello School Programs remains focused on developing a digital literate and skilled workforce, a critical aspect of achieving sustainable economic development.
Chitawo told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Thursday 7th following the successful graduation of children in the fifth cohort of the Hello Tomorrow Innovation Hub stipulating that by equipping kids between the ages of 6 and 17 with programming skills is directly contributing to the country’s aspirations of becoming a technologically advanced nation.
She further articulated that empowering young learners to engage with stem education from an early age will enhance their problem solving abilities preparing them for the digital future.
“By proving foundational coding and programming skills, we are helping to create a pool of future innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in technology-paving the way for a digital-driven economic growth across the country,” she said.
Chitawo also disclosed that since the inception of the Hello Tomorrow program, close to 200 kids have graduated with skills in various fields including, web development, and basic digital skills.
According to Tamara Chitawo, a number of strategies have been put in place to ensure Hello Tomorrow programmes are more accessible underscoring outreach initiatives to rural areas to ensure that children in remote areas also benefit from the programmes further increasing the collaboration with organizations that provides funding for underprivileged background kids to actively participate.
“Currently, we are also working with schools, local communities, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the program and create pathways for children who might otherwise not have access to these opportunities,” she said.
“Hello Tomorrow program is not about teaching technical skills, but it is also about inspiring young minds to dream big and pursue careers in fields they may not have otherwise considered. Our long-term vision is to help create a generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who can tackle challenges in various sectors such as health, education, and agriculture. We are committed to continuing our efforts and partnerships to make sure that no child is left behind when it comes to gaining the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century,” explained Chitawo.
However, Chitawo acknowledged infrastructure constraints resulting in limited number of student accessing Hello Tomorrow programs and inadequate funding to facilitate the expansion of the program as other challenges facing the implementation of the initiative.
Previously during the closing programme of the third cohort at MUBAS, Chisomo Sambakunsi one of the parents acknowledged that through the programme children have learnt programming skills as well as developing other capabilities.
Apart from the Hello Tomorrow Program, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences Innovation Hub also offers Digital Skills training designed for both professionals and youths, emphasizing proficiency in Microsoft Office Packages and Data Management aiming at enhancing productivity, improve data handling capabilities, and equip participants with essential digital competencies required in today's technology-driven world.
Society of Anesthesiologists to hold fundraising dinner and dance
By Milcah Mathias
Blantyre, November 9, Mana: Society of Anesthesiologists (SOA) Malawi will host a dinner and dance at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre on November 15 to raise about MK110 million for 2024 College of Anesthesiologists East, Central and Southern Africa (CANESCA) Annual Regional Conference to be held in Blantyre from December 4 to 6.
The 2nd Annual Regional Scientific Conference will take place at Sunbird Hotel, Blantyre, Malawi, under the theme; Strengthening Anaesthesia Education, Workforce and Well-Being in Africa.
SOA President, Dr. Delia Mabedi told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday that the annual regional conference is aimed at advancing anaesthesia, perioperative care, pain management, and intensive care in East, Central, and Southern Africa.
She therefore appealed to all stakeholders as well as corporate institutions to attend the fundraising dinner and dance and encouraged them to donate any amount towards the December international conference.
“Our budget is quite a lot, about MK110 million, so we need to raise anything towards the budget. We are doing it to fundraise for the conference that we are having from 4 to 6, December. From a range of our activities, we will have examinations on December 4, graduation on December 5 in the morning and in the evening we will have the conference which will end on the December 6,” she added.
Some of the highlight of the fundraising dinner and dance, include a live performance by Armstrong Kalua who is popularly known as African Butter, Onesimus of the romantic hit ‘Controller’, which won Song of the Year Award in the Music Video Africa Awards (MVAA) 2024.
Mabedi who serve as Chief Anesthesiologist at Zomba Central Hospital, said that during the event, anesthesiologists will give a short glimpse of what they do to raise awareness of the profession.
“The SOA is a professional body that was formed to promote the welfare of anesthesiologists. We also train more anesthesiologists on the ground,” she added.
SOA has members in government hospitals, providing health care, promoting education to doctors and other professionals as well as ensuring that safe, high-quality anaesthesia services are available to all Malawians, according to Mabedi.
An anesthesiologist is a physician specializing in giving drugs or other agents to prevent or relieve pain during surgery or other procedures on top of having a wider range of practices that extend beyond anaesthesia for surgery to include pain management and intensive care.
