By Richard Kagunda

Kasungu, October 10, Mana: World Vision Malawi on Tuesday donated 60 bicycles to community volunteers who are supporting Village Savings and Loans (VSLs) groups in the area of Senior Chief Chulu in Kasungu District as a way of mitigating mobility challenges for them.

Speaking during the handover ceremony that took place at Chulu Trading Centre, World Vision’s Programme Manager for Kasungu, Arnold Tsalayekha, said they decided to provide the pushbikes to ensure that volunteers are serving all the VSLs with ease.

"Each volunteer is covering several groups and that means a large geographical area and with mobility problems, their work cannot be as effective as required.

"VSLs are self-sustainable but we decided to come in and assist people in the communities in terms of financial literacy and we are trying to equip the volunteers to be getting in touch with the groups quite often for us to achieve our goal," Tsalayekha said.

According to Tsalayekha, the organization has spent almost K20 million to purchase the bicycles but was optimistic that the outcomes will surpass the cost.

Chairperson for Chulu Area Development Committee, Jacob Kawaza expressed excitement for what he described as a timely donation from World Vision Malawi.

"We are extremely excited to have received these bicycles. It is something we have always wanted to have and will encourage us to work hard and make our VSLs grow," Kawaza said.

One of the volunteers, Peter Phiri said the bicycle he got would enable him get hard to reach places.

He appealed to men in the area to join the VSLs and change their mindset that these groups are meant for women.

World Vision Malawi is implementing a 15-year project called Mtchenda Livelihoods and Resilience in the area of Senior Chief Chulu in the district, which among other objectives seeks to promote an entrepreneurial culture that would help communities graduate from poverty.

The project which is funded by World Vision USA commenced in 2013 and is expected to phase out in 2028.