By Moses Nyirenda

Lilongwe, August 7, Mana: Resurrection Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Church says it is set to host its crusade dubbed ‘Truth conference’ slated for August 11-16, 2024 at its campus in Lilongwe, Area 49.

Evangelist for the church, Noa Gustav Viljami Lager told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview on Wednesday that the conference has been organized to preach about the truthful words of Jesus Christ stipulated in the bible.

“Jesus himself says I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. During this conference, 9 different preachers from all across the world will shine the light on fundamental truths of the Bible, all centered on the Lord Jesus Christ.

“We expect every single conference attendee to leave with better knowledge of the truth, and to be encouraged to follow Jesus in their day to day lives,” Lager said.

He added that during the conference there will be praises to Jesus Christ through singing and prayers with two preachers each night expounding the truth of God’s word to the participants of the conference.

He also said that through the conference, his church will also be spreading the gospel of salvation, which was offered as a free gift to all through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.

According to him, the conference will be graced by preachers from various countries including; Malawi, United States of America (USA), Uganda, Nigeria and Sweden.

He further called upon the public to patronize the conference in their large numbers saying that the conference will be life changing.

“You will not only learn the truth of God’s word, but you will be fully immersed in the fellowship of the brethren and a loving church community, we are excited to see you there,” he said.

One of the Lilongwe residents, Caroline Phiri commended the forthcoming truth conference saying that it would assist people to know more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By Peter Magawa

Mzuzu, August 7, Mana: Children in Mzimba district have cited shortage of teaching and learning materials and discrimination as major hindrances to attaining education for all in the district.

Speaking in Mzuzu City on Wednesday during a panel discussion organized by stakeholders ahead of commemoration of Day of African Child scheduled for 9th August, 2024, the children noted there was need for government and other stakeholders to be proactive in providing necessary needs for education for all to be achieved.

Miracle Chaputa, a learner at MZUZU C.C.A.P. Primary School said that there is need for government to train more special need teachers so that learners with special needs can also have an opportunity to learn.

"Due to shortage of teachers and schools, learners travel long distances. Now imagine a child on a wheelchair traveling a distance of over five kilometers on a wheelchair, how can he or she continue with school?

"At the same time, in these schools there is shortage of books and classrooms. In most schools you find that a class has over 80 learners and 10 learners using one text book. We need to rectify these challenges if education for all must be achieved," said Chaputa.

Another learner, Warren Mhango from Viyere Primary School noted that while government did well on allowing all children to learn together regardless of their respective challenges, learners with special needs continue to face discrimination from both teachers and fellow learners.

"The school environment needs to be conducive for all learners including those with special needs," she said.

Chairperson for Mzimba North Child Protection Committee, Nthezemu Kamanga said it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that all children have equal access to education.

"We are working with the theme: ‘Education for all in Malawi: the time is now’ because we no longer want to postpone the idea of giving access to education for all. It is something that must be acted upon now.

"As stakeholders we are ready to work together with government to eradicate all hindrances to achieving equal opportunities to education," said Kamanga.

Director of Education Services in Mzimba North, Mercy Mayuni, assured of continued support to ensure schools in the district mitigate challenges faced in the process of delivering education services.

By George Mponda

Karonga, August 8, Mana: In a bid to bolster their squad before the second round of the TNM Superleague kicks off, Karonga United Football Club (FC) has announced the signing of two new players from the Simso league.

Speaking in an interview after the signing ceremony on Thursday, Karonga United Chief Executive Officer, Ramsay Simwaka said it is the club’s policy to be signing raw talent from the lower leagues, nurture and then sell them.

"One is 21-year-old Neverson Nkhoma, a defender from Iponga FC and the other is 20-year-old Ernest Mwenitete, a striker from Chicago FC. Both have signed three year contracts.

“We have two very exciting and young players in our ranks for the second round and both players will help us to take our game to the next level which will be crucial for our success in the season,” Simwaka said.

He added that fans should also expect two or three new players who will also be signed.

On his part, James Kayira, a Karonga United fan said mixing young players with experienved players will help balance them.

“Young players have strength and mixing this with experience, combined with Blessings Mwalilino’s proven goal scoring abilities, will further strengthen our team and I wish them the best in the season," said Kayira.

Karonga United FC are currently on position 11 with 19 points having played 15 games in the TNM Superleague.

They will next face league leaders Silver Strikers on August 10 at Karonga stadium.

By George Mponda

Karonga, August 8, Mana: Members of Luwonya Cooperative from Group Village Head Mwashunguti in the area of Senior Chief Mwirang'ombe have said investing the wages they receive in Community Savings and Investment Promotion (COMSIP) has made them financially secure.

Speaking on Tuesday during a media tour, Community Facilitator for Luwonya Cooperative Tereza Ngwira said by investing part of the money they receive after each cycle under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) they have made profits through groundnut sales.

Ngwira said: "Our cooperative has 47 members of which 28 are women and 19 are men of which most are also participants of CS-EPWP in Thabiro Micro Catchment. Together, we grew groundnuts and managed to harvest 750 tins which we have sold at MK10, 000 each and we made MK7.5 million."

"The profits from this were shared among members and I have used my portion to buy a new farm and iron sheets which I will use to construct a new house. I also started a successful bakery business through the money I receive from my shares in the cooperative and am using that to pay school fees for my daughter,” she added.

Another member, Maggie Kapira hailed CS-EPWP for enabling her to be in charge of her income generating activities.

"At the end of each year, we receive money from my CS-EPWP wages which I invest in COMSIP. I used to sleep on a mat but now I bought a bed, mattress and goats with this money,” she said.

On her part, Flora Mwangayiro a COMSIP case worker in Thabiro catchment said they encouraged participants of CS-EPWP to join COMSIP in order for them to be sustained even after the programme ends.

"They will not be receiving the wages forever so it is important for them to invest their money in COMSIP by buying shares in order for them to keep benefiting even after the programme phases out.

Through CS-EPWP, participants from Thabiro are now buying land, building houses, buying livestock and they even have good nutrition in their homes because they invested their money in cooperatives and they are reaping the benefits.

CS-EWP participants receive MK38,000 at the end of each cycle if they worked all 24 days.

It is a government initiative under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee, with financial support from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the World Bank.

By Uchindami Msowoya

Mzuzu, August 6, Mana: In its efforts to enhance promotion of youth friendly health services, Voice of Livingstonia (VoL) Radio through its Titchile Speak-Out Program in partnership with Propel health, on Wednesday conducted Youth Contraceptive Awareness matching through a road within Mzuzu City and its surrounding areas.

According to Station Manager for VoL Radio, Rev. Ken Nyirongo the initiatives aimed at reaching out to over 200 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19.

“Titchile Speak-Out engages young people through both radio and social media platforms by coming up with impactful content on sexual and reproductive health and other relevant health topics in promoting healthy lifestyle amongst the youth,” said Rev. Nyirongo.

Youth Officer who is responsible for Mzimba North and Mzuzu City, Misheck Msokwa urged the youth to term their future by utilizing entrepreneurship opportunities and staying engaged to avoid falling victims of health risking behaviors.

"My appeal to you is take care of yourselves. You should be involved in productive activities and avoid being idle,” Msokwa said.

Sexual Reproductive Health Coordinator for Mzimba North Health Office, Linda Singini said the office is committed to ensuring that all health facilities in the district provide youth friend health services.

“While our focus is on individuals aged between 10 and 24, we are also open to provide services to people of all ages,” said Singini.

One of the young people who patronized the show, Sangulukani Mzembe said the initiative will facilitate easy access of youth health friendly services thereby promoting early treatment seeking behavior among young people.

"Most young people are always hesitant to seek health care services for fear of being judged but through this initiative, that will be history," Mzembe said.

Propel health which is funded by Developing Radio Partners, through Titchile Speak-Out Program promotes community engagement on health education and care, maternal and child health with focus on young people.

The program also provides a platform for discussions of issues of education, gender based violence child, early and forced marriages, sexual transmitted diseases, policy and governance at all levels.

By Linda Likomwa

Phalombe, August 7, Mana: Oxfam Malawi on Tuesday rolled out its first phase of El Nino induced food insecurity response targeting 12,000 people in the three districts of Phalombe, Mchinji and Lilongwe.

Speaking at Chidalale Evacuation Centre in Phalombe, Oxfam Malawi Country Director, Lingalireni Mihowa said Malawi has experienced droughts, floods and rising prices of food at the market which has led to food insecurity in many households.

“The sooner the vulnerable are assisted, the better because by doing so we would stop them from selling their assets. There is need for working decisively towards long term nutrition food strategies so that we break the cycle of food insecurity,” Mihowa said.

Mihowa appealed for more support to reach out to more households that have been affected, saying that in April this year government launched a US$36.5 million humanitarian appeal, noting that currently only US$11.6 million has been raised.

She said this is as a result of the fact that most countries are faced with conflicts, earthquakes, floods and droughts, occurrences which have contributed to donor dependence.

Mihowa noted that in 2019 Oxfarm raised enough funds which they used in reaching out to many households with support, adding that the situation is not the same this year; hence, appealed for communities to venture into viable economic activities that would help them support themselves instead of waiting for food aid from the donor community.

District Commissioner for Phalombe, Douglas Moffat said the hunger situation is severe in the district according to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report which estimates that almost 525, 000 people translating into 44 ,000 households were food insecure.

“Government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) will from October to March this year distribute food to affected households, but Oxfam decided to be ahead by supporting 1, 075 households with cash transfer for families to buy food,” he said.

Moffat, however, emphasised the need for communities to follow weather updates by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services to avoid incidences of disasters which rendered most households food insecure following Tropical Cyclone Freddy and droughts.

One of the beneficiaries, Edna Mbendera from Ng’anjo Village in Traditional Authority Jenala thanked Oxfam for the support, saying the money would assist her to buy food for her family because one bag of maize she harvested was depleted four months ago.

In March this year, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera declared a State of Disaster in 23 out of the 28 districts that were affected by floods and droughts induced by El Nino phenomenon which left over four million people in dire need of food aid.

Oxfam has raised MK207 million and each household would receive MK50,000 cash transfer funded by the Irish Aid and Oxfam International.

By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, August 7, Mana: People from Traditional Authority Dzoole in Dowa district have hailed the construction of Nkhanthwe bridge by the council saying this has improved safety and eased mobility challenges.

In an interview, one of the community members, Chifundo Mwale of Ngalawi village said before the construction of the bridge, people during rainy season used to face challenges when crossing the river to access markets, schools and hospitals at Mponela.

"It was a tricky situation because you would want to go somewhere and sell your goods, access banks, schools and hospitals, but you could not do so because crossing the river during rainy seasons was dangerous as we did not have a good bridge.

"Over the years, we have had some accidents and others lost their lives while trying to cross the river using unchartered crossing areas, so it was a big challenge," he said.

Mwale said as an alternative, people were forced to use long routes, which he said was both expensive and time consuming.

He however, said the construction of the K27 million concrete deck bridge by the council under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) has eased these challenges.

“Even during rainy season, people can now cross the river, day or night without any problem.

"The bridge also improved business opportunities as farmers can easily sell their produce at Mponela at a higher price, than relying on vendors to come to the villages which reduces product value,” he said.

Madalitso Charles of Binda village who has this year sat for her standard eight Primary School Leaving Certificate of Educations Examinations at Malambo primary school, said the bridge is also helping leaners around the area.

"The nearest school from here is Malambo primary school, but we used to go to Tchawale which is very far because of lack of a safe bridge. This affected class performance as we used to reach to school late and tired.

"But with this bridge, children can now go to Malambo school which is nearer, this gives us enough time to concentrate on our studies," he said.

Director of Public Works at Dowa District Council, Oscar Kumwenda in his remarks said GESD is helping to improve service delivery in the district.

"We are building schools, police units, market sheds, medical facilities and bridges among other infrastructures.

"On our part as a council, we are making sure that every project we are delivering to the people should be durable, of high quality and meet stipulated requirements and specifications. But most of all, it answers to the challenges of the people, like it is with this bridge," he said.

Recently, Dowa district council scooped position one in the Local Authority Performance Assessment (LAPA) under GESD.