By Moses Nyirenda

Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe President Hafez Jamal has said his rotary club, through its project dubbed Ndiphunzire, is committed to supporting tertiary needy students with tuition fees in order for them to complete their education and become responsible citizens.

He made the remarks on Thursday when his club donated a cheque worth K800 thousand to two students at Malawi College of Health Sciences (Lilongwe Campus) to cover their tuition expenses.

Jamal said they, as rotary club, are passionate about transforming lives of those who are less privileged which include needy students.

“As members of rotary club and on a personal level, we are driven by a profound passion to uplift the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves and it includes needy students.

“We believe that by supporting needy students, we are not only contributing to their personal growth but also investing in the future of our community and nation. Today’s gesture is a small demonstration of that commitment,” he said.

Jamal added that through their project they are eyeing to reach out more tertiary schools in the country to support students from underprivileged families.

“With our Ndiphunzire project, for the past years we have been helping Malawi College of Health Sciences students and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and we are aiming to reach more schools depending on amount of money we can fundraise.

“We are trying our best to fundraise at least a big amount of money to cater more schools,” he said.

In his sentiments, principal for Malawi College of Health Sciences-Lilongwe Campus, Denis Nyirenda, commended Bwaila-Lilongwe Rotary Club for supporting needy students at his school, saying that the support will help the students to finish up their studies and help their families, societies as well as the nation at large.

He urged the corporate world, including individuals and organizations, to emulate what Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe has done, emphasizing that at his school there are more needy students who need financial support to cater for their education.

A Malawi College of Health Sciences third year student, who is a beneficiary of the recent support by Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe, Agnes Kafotokoza, expressed gratitude for the assistance.

“I just want to thank Rotary Club of Bwaila-Lilongwe for what it has done. To us it is a great opportunity; since the beginning of our studies we have been struggling to pay school fees,” Kafotokoza said.

By James Mwale

Ntchisi, May 23, Mana: The Connect a School Project under which Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is constructing computer laboratories in 75 schools is expected to retain learners who transfer from Kayoyo Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) to other schools to attain computer lessons.

Member of Parliament for Ntchisi North East, Olipa Chimangeni, made the remarks Wednesday at the school’s laboratory construction site where she presided over its ground breaking ceremony in the area of Senior Chief Nthondo.

She said students transfer to schools with computer labs where they would complete their computer syllabus leaving Kayoyo CDSS which had no laboratory despite having the competent teachers and enough books recommended for secondary school computer syllabus.

She said upon completion the learning facility will also serve as a motivation Centre for young girls in her constituency, through exposure to the internet, to be ambitious and work hard towards their goals.

“Most of our young girls have never been out of their villages, let alone visited Lilongwe. This has been a backward challenge because they have not been exposed to women living successful lives from whom to draw ambitions.

“This internet providing facility, upon completion, will expose them to a lot of women living lives of opulence around the country and the world, from whom they will draw motivation,” said Chimangeni.

Kayoyo CDSS Head Teacher, Jonathan Kaboni, echoed the legislator saying it is every teacher’s wish to have their students advance in life, and modern times, technology advancement is central to almost every aspect of a person’s life.

He said this wish has, for a long time, been frustrated by lack of a computer and internet service proving facility that is being constructed at his school.

“We thank MACRA for considering our school in the first phase of the project implementation. Not only our students will benefit from the facility, but also all households living within 200 metres of the facility who are expected to enjoy free internet for the first three years of its operation,” said Kaboni.

MACRA Procurement Manager, Alfred Chibwana, said the project was inspired by the realization that technology is no longer a necessity but a human right which is also central to achieving Malawi 2063 through digital inclusion by connecting people to the internet with education and business benefits.

He said 73 CDSSs, two secondary schools and one primary school have been targeted in the first phase, with 60 more schools to follow in the second phase.

By Emily Kaliwo

Chiradzulu, May, 23, Mana: School authorities at Chigodi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Chiradzulu, have hailed Malawi Communication Authority (MACRA) for its intention to construct computer laboratory to help the school access important information to achieve quality education.

Chigodi DCSS Deputy Head Teacher, Dereck Keyala, made the remarks Wednesday when MACRA launched construction of the computer laboratory under the Connect-a-School Project which is being implemented in all districts across the country to improve access to information through internet.

“We are happy because of this facility as it will enable us access relevant information for teaching because materials become scarce sometimes,” he said.

Keyala urged the contractor to build quality structure that should benefit the school and surrounding community for a long time and generations to come.

Senior Chief Likoswe thanked MACRA for deciding to construct the facility at a school in his area.

He expressed hope that the facility will benefit students and the community in accessing important information through internet.

MACRA Deputy Director of Broadcasting, Kelton Masangano, said the project is meant to improve ICT access and learners’ performance in rural areas so that they should be on the same level with their urban counterparts.

"Research showed that due to lack of ICT facilities in rural areas, learners in urban areas were always above in terms of school performance. So, this project will help all learners to be on the same page,” said Masangano adding that the project will also bring electricity and a lot of positive change in the area.

Masangano urged learners to be responsible for the project as the facility will not belong to MACRA but the community.

Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu Central, McTimes Malowa, was happy to see that Universal Fund has trickled down to Chiradzulu.

"I am happy that we are going according to our plans and people are ready to benefit more from this project,” he said adding that all leaders in the district will join hands to ensure that the computer laboratory is used for the intended purpose for the good of the area and the district.

Malowa was hopeful that internet connectivity at Chigodi CDSS will attract development interventions such as tap water, electricity and a tarmac road.

Apart from Chigodi, MACRA will also construct another computer laboratory at Mbulumbudzi CDSS at Traditional Authority Mpama in the district.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, May 23, Mana: Fountain of Victory Church will on May 25 conduct a National Youth Conference (NYC) at Victory Land Centre in Blantyre to discuss challenges the younger generation is facing.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, President and founder of Fountain of Victory Church, Apostle Joseph Ziba, said the conference is a game changer for every young person.

He said the conference will provide a rare platform where the youths will feel God’s presence and reach His destiny.

Apostle Ziba believes that thousands of young people will receive transformation of their lives on top of discovering and receiving restoration of the Holy Spirit.

“All things have been solely tailored for every youth or young adult to benefit in all life’s dimensions. The conference will be outstanding, impactful and influential when they go back to their daily endeavors. It will also give the youth opportunity to interact with God as the Holy Spirit will be scattered every day,” said Ziba.

He, therefore, appealed to youths from all corners of Malawi to attend the conference assuring them that their life will never be the same as the conference will deepen their understanding of God’s word.

One of the congregants, Charles Sekeya, expressed gratitude over the event saying it is time to experience the power and presence of God in a special way.

He said the conference will not just be an event but a life changing opportunity and is looking forward to see God’s glory.

“I am expecting the conference to inspire many youths. This should be a place where my destiny will be shaped and l believe my life will change forever,” said Sekeya.

The National Youth Conference is a mother conference of all inter-denominational youth conferences organized by Fountain of Victory Church for every youth within and outside the church.

Organizers expect that the conference will be a platform for young people to showcase their God-given gifts and talents with drama, poems and music performed by Melvin and Fountain of Victory Worship team as some of the activities to spice up the event.

Apostle Ziba will preach the word of God to instill faith and courage to connect the youth with the Holy Spirit.

By Innocent Kachingwe

Blantyre, May 22, Mana: Blantyre District Council is constructing a classroom block at Chitundu Primary School in Traditional Authority (TA) Kuntaja to improve learning environment.

Most learners at the school are accommodated in make shifts structures while others learn in the open.

Chitundu Primary School Head Teacher, Yobu Masiye, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday that   the school has one classroom block occupied by standard seven and eight learners.

The school, which has an enrollment of 442 against that one classroom block, has no head teacher’s office.

“Other learners learn in makeshift structures which were constructed by communities and others learn under the shades of trees leading to poor attendance. This is worrisome because it affects learners’ performance,” he said.

Masiye hailed Blantyre District Council for initiating the project which will see construction of a classroom block and teacher’s office.

He believes that teachers will have space to prepare for their lessons before going for classes.

“I believe enrollment will increase as standard five and six learners will now be learning in a proper structure. As of now the school has enrolled extra 28 learners,” he said.

Masiye, therefore, appealed to the Council to construct more classroom blocks and build a house for the head teacher, saying he currently walks a distance of about eight kilometres every day to and from the school.

One of the learners, Bridget Bwanali, expressed gratitude with the new classrooms which, she said, will provide better learning environment.

“Most girls complained that sitting on the floor and learning under trees compromised their well-being such that some resorted to dropout due poor learning environment,” she said.

Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Paul Chimphanda, said the new classroom block will provide favorable learning environment.

He acknowledged that most junior classes learn under the shades of trees which disrupts classes especially during rainy season.

“This is a good development because school enrollment will increase as learners will be motivated to attend classes without disruption. On the other hand, teachers will also enjoy teaching because the new classroom has a storeroom to keep their teaching materials,” he said.

The project at Chitundu Primary School is being implemented with Constituency Development Fund at a cost of K39.4 million.

By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, May 23, Mana: Communities in Mchengautuwa East and West Wards in Mzuzu City have applauded a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) funded project for training and encouraging community structures to develop early disaster warning systems in the city.

The project, Strengthening All-inclusive Disaster Preparedness and Linking Early Warning to Early Action, is being implemented by UN-Habitat.

In an interview on Wednesday, Ward Disaster Risk Management Committee leader for Mchengautuwa West Ward, Emmanuel Chiumia, said the project has encouraged community members to learn more about early warning disaster signs.

Chiumia said the project has also facilitated formulation of sub-structures which are responsible for lobbying individual households to desist from practices that aid disaster.

“From the trainings we have been getting, we are encouraged to involve community members in disaster preparedness initiatives. For example, we have sub-committees led by block leaders which help us in engaging members that are practicing behaviours that could aid disaster.

“Currently, we have seen community members holding routine clearing of drains and are also policing each other to stop members from throwing wastes in drains which can cause poor drainage,” said Chiumia.

While applauding the project for providing funds for renovation of some old drains in the wards, Chiumia appealed for more support for construction of additional drains for easy sustainability of check dams.

“Through the project, we have been provided with funds to construct check dams along our roads to help reduce runoff which in turn reduces flash floods in our township. However, the effectiveness of these check dams is compromised because most of them are constructed in roads with no proper drains,” he said.

A member of Disaster Grievance Redress Committee for the two wards, Charles Gondwe, said since the project established the committees and trained them, people have understood the importance of working together to avert disasters.

Mzuzu City Disaster Risk Management Officer, Precious Mandala, said since the community structures began working on their disaster preparedness work plans, response to disaster in the area has improved.

“Training and establishment of these structures has helped reduced pressure on the council as they are able to develop their own disaster preparedness work plans and resolve disaster related grievances.

“Each year, the two wards have been having a minimum of 30 households being affected but this year, we have seen the figure decreasing because apart from persuading households to move out of disaster prone areas before disasters, the structures are also able to make assessments and provide assistance before the council comes in,” said Mandala.

The project is also being implemented in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Zomba.

In Mzuzu, the project is implemented in Mchengautuwa West and East, Zolozolo West and Nkhorongo Wards.