By Stella Mwalwanda

Mzuzu, November 29, Mana: Clinical Director of Saint John of God (SJOG), Michael Nyirenda on Thursday urged Nyika Media Club members to be involved in raising awareness on mental health issues.

Nyirenda was speaking in Mzuzu during Mental Health and Psychosocial First Aid Orientation which SJOG organized for the journalists.

He said media is a major stakeholder in dissemination of information on several issues let alone mental health issues.

“Media personnel need to understand what mental health is all about before taking the message to the public.

“Mental health is not a mental illness and everyone might have a mental health issue once in a while and this needs to be taken as a priority,” said Nyirenda.

One of the clinicians at SJOG, Zondiwe Banda said that stigma and discrimination are some of the issues that discourage people from disclosing their mental health issues, hence delaying in accessing assistance,” Banda.

Banda then added that the media is a powerful tool through which such messages can the taken to wider audience.

“We can deal with mental health problems through awareness, hence this training aims at mentoring journalists into information disseminators as far as mental health problems are concerned,” said Banda.

One of the participants, Ennet Chitsulo described the training as being helpful to the media as it will widen the media reporting spheres for the country’s development.

By Maria Tembo

Ntchisi, November 29, 2024, Mana: People in Ntchisi say they are impressed with the digital financial services being implemented by the government across the country.

The remarks were made during a monitoring tour at Malomo trading center to appreciate a digital financial services campaign which the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of Malawi is conducting in the district.

Rose Maseko, a business woman at Malomo trading center said digital financial services will help small business operators secure their money as most of them barely use the services due to among others lack of knowledge on digital financial services.

She thanked government for the initiative and hoped for the service to help in boosting people’s businesses.

"We are living in an era of technology and I believe that the use of digital financial services will help us to easily buy and sell products as it is easy, reliable and fast," she said.

Maseko however expressed concern over poor mobile network connectivity and long distances covered to access banking services saying these will discourage people from using digital financial services.

"People in most parts of the district fail to access mobile money transactions due to poor network connectivity and most of these areas do not have banks nor bank agents. We are asking for these two challenges to be addressed so that we can be able to access the digital financial services without any challenges," Maseko explained.

On his part, Digital Financial Services Specialist in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Steve M'gwadila said it was encouraging to see that Ntchisi residents have shown interest in adopting the use of digital financial services.

He said time has come for people to utilize the use of digital financial services as it will not only protect them from theft cases but will also help the country by reducing money that is lost when replacing damaged bank notes.

He said: "we are impressed with the feedback we have received in Ntchisi and we believe that a lot of people will put the information learnt from the campaign to use."

The 20 days’ awareness campaign is being implemented with funding from the African Development Bank Group (AFDB).

By: Aisha Chiwaya

Salima. November 29, Mana: As the government of Malawi joined the international community in commemorating the world toilet day, there has been a call for intensified sensitization on the importance of having toilets and sanitation facilities to curb waterborne diseases.

Speaking in Salima, on Thursday, during this year’s World Toilet Day, Director of Administration in the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Hedrian Mpinganjira encouraged Malawians to embrace the use of toilets to improve hygiene and maintain good health.

Mpinganjira acknowledged that the country is lacking behind in as far as having a toilet for every household is concerned especially in rural areas.

“We still have a mileage to cover because not many people especially in the rural areas appreciate the usage of toilets and not so many people know that there are also cheap types or models of toilets that they can construct in the village," he said.

Executive Director for Water Sanitation Network, Willies Mwandira concurred with Mpinganjira by revealing that out of twelve traditional authorities in Salima only four have toilets in every household.

"It is worrisome to note that some households do not have toilets, I am calling for local leaders and the corporate world to work hand in hand in order to achieve the desired results where every household will have a toilet," he said.

He added: “In Salima at least 3,000 fishermen migrate to Mbenje island in the month of March to November and they stay there without toilets, which contaminates fresh waters of lake Malawi and become a source of water pollution."

On this point, he said the Lake is going to provide water in Lilongwe, Salima and other parts of Dowa through the Salima- Lilongwe water project hence the problem needs to be dealt with speed.

World toilet day was established in 2013 by the United Nations and the day is observed on 19^th November; this year the day is being commemorated under the theme “toilet- a place of peace”.

By: Steve Chirombo

Dedza, November 28, Mana: Government has expressed satisfaction with how Tipindule Project implemented by Action Aid in Dedza District is impacting on the lives of the beneficiaries.

Gilbert Malota, Dedza District Council Methodology Extension Officer, made the sentiments on Thursday during a visit to some beneficiaries under Senior Chief Kachere in the district.

During the tour, it was observed that beneficiaries of the project, whose sole purpose was Village Savings and Loans (VSLs), have also gone into farming, buying livestock while others have built good houses.

“We actually came to appreciate the interventions Action Aid is doing. We have seen a lot from farming, livestock among many others. Looking at how members of the VSLs are benefitting, we are impressed as government. Others have built houses, bought livestock while others have managed to have orchards,” said Malota.

He said what Action Aid is doing is in-line with government’s vision of achieving the Malawi 2063 Agenda among others, food security and wealth creation.

According to Malota, there is good working relationship between the council and Action Aid and called for continued collaboration while calling on the beneficiaries to seriously use the chances in order to improve their livelihoods.

On her part, one of the beneficiaries, Estele Mtonda, said lives for most of the VSL members, have improved under Action Aid’s Tipindule project.

“The two years, Action Aid has been in our area, we can testify the good fruits the project has brought to the communities. Most of us through the VSLs have managed to establish small scale businesses which are helping our daily needs,” stated Mtonda.

Group Village Head Dzaipa in the area said the project has greatly improved lives of the people. He called on other fellow community members to take part in the interventions so that they too should benefit.

Action Aid, Project Officer for Dedza, Maria Jingini, said the project in Senior Chief Kachere’s area is in 14 group village heads working with VSL groups as well as revamping others that already existed but did not have the desired expertise.

“We equip them with expertise in savings and loans as recommended by government, financial management as well as how to establish and run businesses, nutrition and vision which will determine their future as they participate in our programs,” she said.

Jingini further hailed government through Dedza district council for the joint efforts in the implementation of the project.

“VSLs aside, we also encourage the communities to conserve and do businesses that do not harm the environment. I can assure you that these interventions are also positively impacting on communities as they are able to establish tree nurseries which are being planted in homes while others turned into community forests. All this to ensure that environment is restored,” she said.

The project is being implemented with funds from Financial Access for Rural Markets Smallholders and Enterprises (FARMSE).

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, November 29, Mana: Communities in Nsanje on Friday appealed to government to continue with the Affordable Input Program (AIP) as it has improved crop production in the district.

Edith Mkata from Mchacha Village, Traditional Authority Malemia said in an interview that for the past two years she has been on the program, she has realized bumper yields from her garden.

She said she is now able to harvest 20 bags from the same garden, which she used to harvest 7 bags.

"This program is very beneficial to us in the village and would like to appeal to government to continue with the program, " she said.

Shanu Lami from Lampi Village, Traditional Authority Malemia praised government for the program adding that it is helping the common man from the village.

"I cannot afford to buy fertilizer at the shop. Thanks to government for including me in the program that enables me buy fertilizer at a subsidized price," he added.

Ester Vunganyade from Kailedzi Village in the area of Senior Chief Mlolo said AIP has reduced hunger at her house.

She said the issue of facing hunger each year is now history as she is able to harvest more as compared to the time she was not in the program.

"We understand this year we will have good rains and I have already redeemed my bags of fertilizer. If all goes well this year, am expecting a good harvest," Vunganyade said.

AIP Coordinator for Nsanje Rodrick Mphamba said this year the district has a total of 10, 413 AIP beneficiaries.

Mphamba said a total of 2, 396 have already redeemed NPK fertilizer and 5, 995 have redeemed Urea fertilizer.

He expressed hope that fertilizer will be available soon so that the remaining number of people should redeem their fertilizer.

By Alexander Tchongwe

Mzimba, November 29, Mana: District Elections Officer for Mzimba South, Chrispin Chakhumbila says voter registration exercise has started smoothly in all the 311 centres across the district.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Chakhumbila said the exercise is progressing well, saying they are taking proactive measures to address potential challenges. 

He said anticipated challenges such as mobility issues in remote areas like Khosolo and Mugungulu, as well as fuel shortages, have not been experienced so far. 

“We had concerns about accessing hilly areas and ensuring enough fuel for the exercise. However, we currently have sufficient fuel, and we have deployed strong teams to ensure operations in hard-to-reach areas remain uninterrupted,” said Chakhumbila. 

Supervisor for Mzimba LEA Registration Center, Eston Nyirenda reported an encouraging turnout. 

“We started in the morning and more than 40 people have already registered. We expect an increase in numbers as the exercise progresses,” said Nyirenda. 

One of the registered voters, Jessy Kamanga encouraged others to register so they can exercise their right to elect leaders of their choice during 2025 polls. 

Group Village Head (GVH) Amon Moyo said he has been actively mobilizing people in his community to register for the polls. 

“We have been holding meetings more than four times a month to remind our people to prepare for registration. Additionally, we have spread messages during religious gatherings, other community meetings, and even at funerals to ensure everyone understands the importance of this exercise,” said Moyo. 

The registration exercise, which started on Thursday, will run until December 11, 2024.

By Vida Msiyo

Blantyre, November 29, Mana: A total of 700 vulnerable households in Traditional Authority Lundu, Blantyre, on Thursday received food and financial assistance from the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) under the Blantyre Archdiocese.

The support, funded by Caritas Korea and Italy, was aimed at easing food shortages in the area as about 200 households received MK100, 000 each to buy food, while 500 households were given 10 kilograms of soya corn blend to help malnourished children.

Speaking during the event, Vicar General, Monsignor Boniface Tamani said the Catholic Church is committed to helping those in need, emphasizing the church’s mission to support the vulnerable especially in times of hardship and ensure no one is left behind.

“We are concerned about the hunger affecting Malawi, with support from Caritas Korea and Italy, we are able to help those in need and this act of giving is also the reason we celebrate the World Day of the Poor, to ensure there is no hunger or violence in families and the country,” said Tamani.

Blantyre District Council Disaster Officer Faith Khamula thanked the church for the gesture, saying T/A Lundu is one of the areas that faces hunger every year. She further said that such support helps ease the burden on the local community and strengthens efforts to combat food insecurity in the district.

“As Blantyre District Council, we are happy to see churches helping; this support will go a long way in assisting the government in its efforts to provide food to those affected by hunger. So the involvement of churches in this effort is crucial in ensuring that the most vulnerable people receive the assistance they need during these challenging times,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Rosemary William, thanked the church for its inclusive approach to helping the needy, saying the support has given her hope during difficult times and she praised the Roman Catholic Church for ensuring that no one, regardless of their background is left behind in the aid distribution.

“What the Roman Catholic has done is a great work, they have helped me and everyone who is poor in this area, not just members of their Church but anyone. So I encourage other religious groups to do the same when helping people to make Malawi a better place,” she added.

The assistance focuses on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, widows and orphans to ease their struggles during hard times.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, November 29, Mana: At least 20 houses were destroyed on Thursday by stormy rains in the area of Senior Chief Mwenewenya in Chitipa District.

Councillor for Wenya Ward who is also Chairperson for Chitipa District Council, Ronald Kayira, said that the area received heavy rains accompanied by strong winds on Thursday resulting in destruction of some houses.

“Many houses have been destroyed and initial assessment is underway to establish exact households affected in group village heads Mfinda, Sekwa and Kalowe in the area of Senior Chief Mwenewenya,” Kayira said.

Disaster Risk Management Officer for Chitipa District Council, Mphatso Nedson said that his office has received reports from Wenya Area Disaster Risk Management Committee (ADRMC) concerning the disaster that has hit the area.

“Approximately 20 households have been destroyed by stormy rains and Village Disaster Risk Management Committee and ADRMC members are on the ground assessing the magnitude of the damage,” Nedson said.