By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, May 7, Mana. WaterAid Malawi on Tuesday commemorated World Hand Hygiene Day in Mangochi, to educate communities on the importance of handwashing with soap in preventing diseases related to poor hygiene.

Speaking during the event at Nangalamu Health Centre ground, Senior Medical Officer for Mangochi District Hospital, Dr Salimu Kaunda, said that the day encourages practices like hand washing with soap, thereby reducing infection, promoting public health and global action toward improved health outcomes.

"Hand hygiene is a crucial component of our health systems. Most illnesses we see in health facilities are due to infections that can be prevented through simple hygiene practices like handwashing with clean water and soap," said Kaunda.

He noted that for the past years, Mangochi has grappled with various diseases such as cholera outbreaks, diarrhoea and others that come due to poor hygiene and drinking unsafe water. 

WaterAid Malawi hygiene specialist, Maria Soko, noted that Malawi has been severely affected by cholera and other diseases linked to poor hygiene.

"We wanted people to understand the importance of hand hygiene in the prevention of diseases related to poor hygiene.  We might use other measures like gloves, but hand hygiene surpasses everything," said Soko.

She added that the organization was building sanitation facilities such as toilets and bathrooms in hospitals and providing communities with clean and safe water to promote public health and prevent diseases.

Patuma Mamu, a resident of Group Village Headman Chikamba in the district said that through the interventions, she has learnt how she can protect her family from diseases linked to poor hygiene by using safe and clean water, washing hands with soap after using the toilet, before preparing food and other practices.

During the commemoration, WaterAid handed over sanitation facilities such as buckets and sanitisers to four health facilities, including Nangalamu.

Being observed under the theme "it might be gloves. It's always hand washing" this year, World Hand Hygiene Day is commemorated each year on 5 May to maintain a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene in health care and to ‘bring people together’ in support of hand hygiene improvement globally.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, May 7, Mana: Old Mutual handed over a K115 million classroom block at Katete Primary School in Senior Chief Mwahenga in Rumphi on Tuesday which school authorities said will improve the learning environment.

In an interview, Director of Education and Sports for Rumphi, Fides Msowoya, said the structure will improve learning at the school.  

"Learners will now be learning efficiently and comfortably, as they have also been promised desks. Our teachers, as well will have a conducive environment for preparing their lessons with the new office that has been attached to the block and we expect the children to perform well," said Msowoya.

She further said the council would also continue to engage other partners to support other needs at the school, including housing for teachers.

She also said her office would engage relevant committees at the council to consider upgrading the school from a junior primary to a full primary school.

Chairperson for Old Mutual Foundation, Tawonga Manda, said they have built the block to bail out young learners who were walking long distances to school to access education.

Member of parliament for the area, Jappie Mhango, said the classroom block would attract more learners to school.

He also called on partners, including Old Mutual and CARE Malawi who collaborated on the project, to continue supporting them as the Government's resources are not adequate to resolve all challenges.

He further urged Government and development partners to make rural schools attractive for teachers by constructing decent houses for them in order to facilitate quality learning.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, May 7 Mana: Nation Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) on Tuesday launched winter cropping agriculture loan inputs in Zomba with K51 million going to Kadewere Irrigation Scheme at Traditional Authority Mwambo.

The loan inputs which among others included fertilizer, maize seeds and solar solar-powered pump target over 200,000 farmers across the country.

Speaking during the launch and handover of the farm inputs at Kadewere Irrigation Scheme in Traditional Authority Mwambo, NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humprey Mdyeseni said the loan inputs were meant to improve the country's food security.

Mdyeseni said, according to data, the country requires 4 million metric tons of maize which has not been achieved for the past two years, expressing hope that the winter cropping, once implemented, will close up the gap.

“We are receiving overwhelming applications for loans, and this only means more farmers need support.

“We expect that, through the farm inputs loans, Malawi is assured of enough food,” he added.

Zomba District Council, Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Linda Mphande said provision of farm input was the best way to address food insecurity in the district.

Mphande added that, with increasing fears of climate change, irrigation agriculture remained the best option.

“We applaud government through NEEF for the support to farmers. Through this initiative, the country has high chances to achieve food security,” she added.

One of the beneficiaries under Kadewere Irrigation Scheme, Godfrey Makwinja said most of the farmers have muscle but lack financial and farm inputs.

“Many farmers are proud of the support from NEEF. We have been empowered and energised to do more,” he added.

A total of K51 million has been used to procure fertilizer and maize seeds for 83 farmers under Kadewere scheme.

By Patience Harawa

Karonga, May 7, Mana: World Vision Malawi (WVM) is set to distribute 2,026 bags of Likuni Phala, weighing 5 kilograms each, to 41 Community Based Child Care Centres (CBCCs) across Karonga district in a bid to combat child hunger and improve nutrition.

According to WVM District Programmes Manager for Karonga, Hendrix Kalanje, the distribution exercise is part of the Enough Campaign, an initiative aimed at fighting child hunger and malnutrition.

Speaking during the symbolic handover ceremony held at WVM offices in Karonga on Tuesday, Kalanje emphasized the critical need to address malnutrition at an early age.

"The project will be implemented up to 2026 and we will be distributing 5 kilogram bags of fortified porridge, which will benefit hundreds of children, particularly in Lupembe and Mlare areas in the district."

“Malnutrition remains a major challenge in Karonga, affecting children's growth, cognitive development, and school readiness. This intervention is a step towards ensuring that children have the energy and nutrients they need to thrive,” Kalanje said.

District Commissioner (DC) for Karonga, Frank Mkandawire hailed WVM for support, calling it a timely response to food shortages that have hit the district due to prolonged dry spells that affected crop yield.

The DC, therefore, called for continued support from other organizations to ensure that all children in the district have access to food, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in addressing child hunger.

“No single organization can solve child hunger alone. We need strong collaboration among non-governmental organisations, government departments, traditional leaders, and community members. World Vision’s support is a clear example of what we can achieve when we work together,” Mkandawire said.

By Pickson Chipeso

Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: Police in Balaka have arrested two people for allegedly being found in possession of a motorcycle suspected of having been stolen.

According to Balaka Police Public Relations Officer, Gladson M'bumpha said the two, identified as James Akimu Umali aged 22 and Paul James, aged 27, were arrested on Tuesday afternoon of May 6, 2025, at Balaka Bus Depot in Balaka District.

M'bumpha said the arrest of the suspects followed a tip by a well-wisher that the two were possessing a motorcycle and were offering it for sale.

"Upon receipt of the report, Police Detectives from Balaka Police Station led by Inspector Ennaford Kammera followed the matter, leading to the arrest of the suspects in Balaka Bus Depot and the motorcycle was recovered.

"Meanwhile, investigations are in progress to trace the owner of the motorcycle," he said.

James Akimu Umali comes from Kachere Village in Traditional Authority Kachere in Dedza and Paul James comes from Kapalamula Village in Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka and they will appear before court soon to answer a charge of being found in possession of property suspected to have been stolen.