MANAonline
Neno youths urged to venture into businesses
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, February 27, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH), popularly known as Abwezi Pa Zaumoyo, has encouraged youths in Neno district to utilize vocational skills and start their own businesses.
PIH Director of Community Health, Jimmy Harare, made the remarks on Tuesday during a graduation ceremony of 12 male youths who underwent vocational skills in tailoring, plumbing, brick laying, motor vehicle and motorcycle mechanic.
PIH gave the youth start-up tools, such as plumbing equipment, sewing machines, rolls of cloths, thread and motor cycle and vehicle tools boxes worth K24 million.
Harare said the youths were trained under the project called 'Programme on Social Economic Rights' (Poser) to ensure the adolescents’ economic empowerment through their enrolment in vocational skills.
“Empowering these youths economically through the vocational skills will give them a sound financial standing,” he said, adding that the programmme was introduced to compliment government efforts in empowering young people as government alone cannot manage.
In his remarks, Neno District Council Director of Planning and Development (DPD), Charles Lomoni, hailed PIH for the initiative, saying the council alone cannot manage to reach out to the youths in many areas in the district with vocational skills.
"We would like to appreciate the effort that Partners in Health have rendered to us because on our own as a council we cannot manage due to inadequate resources and insufficient budget," said Lomoni.
One of the youths, Reuben Baluwa, expressed gratitude following his graduation, saying he acquired mechanical skills that will help him to be economically independent.
“I didn't expect that I can be a mechanic. From today I will be a mechanic in my area and l will help my parents financially and will also repair people's vehicles,” said Baluwa.
Embracing community initiatives to conserve nature
By Salome Gangire
Neno, February 27, Mana: Dominic Kulani, 48, of Fred Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chekucheku was an unrepentant charcoal producer in his community, having indulged in the business for 15 years to sustain his family of six.
Dominic narrates how adamant he used to be to stop his charcoal trade despite the several challenges he encountered, all because he had no alternative source of income.
“I used to load a full truck with charcoal to sell in Blantyre. Mind you, this was not easy at all as I encountered problems, such as spending nights in the bush whilst hiding from forestry officers and as well as dangerous police chases as we were transporting charcoal to Blantyre,” Kulani says.
He adds that the experience was physically and emotionally draining but he still continued all in the name of fending for his family.
However, all this changed in August 2023 when he received Community Environmental Conservation Funds (CECF) amounting to K58,000 under the Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) whose objective is to increase the adoption of sustainable landscape management practices and improving watershed services in the targeted watersheds.
Moreover, the project also aims at diversifying people's livelihoods and food security as a result of increase in household income from both agriculture and small-scale enterprises with the support from the matching grants.
In Neno, the project is being implemented in Wamkulumadzi Catchment which has four sub catchments; namely Golden, Mkulumadzi, Chekucheku and Mfundazi with a total of 70 Village Level Action Plans for a period of six years.
In the spirit of motivating project participants, MWASIP provides CECF to help them uplift their livelihoods with small scale businesses whilst they are implementing various project activities.
From the K58,000 grant Kulani received, he stopped the illicit trade and invested the money in buying two goats and chickens which started producing manure which he eventually used in his crop field.
“I eventually started growing tomato and maize and I have been able to buy iron sheets ready to roof my house,” adds Dominic who is now a member of Village Natural Resources Management Committee (VNRMC).
He notes that the project has driven them to establish backyard woodlots in their respective homes apart from the project site.
“My plan is to plant trees on my one acre of land in this rainy season. The project has made me understand the evils of deforestation as evidenced by how rainfall pattern is in this 2023/24 agricultural season.
“I am now geared to plant trees everywhere they were destroyed as I have witnessed the side effects of deforestation but I will also be an ambassador, advocating against deforestation to others who are still cutting down trees for charcoal production,” he indicates.
Dominic is not the only one who has abandoned the illicit charcoal business. Maganizo Menyere was also involved in destroying the environment through charcoal business but has changed as he is into conserving the environment.
“MWASIP gave us the skills and the CECF has helped a lot of us to venture into meaningful businesses,” says Maganizo who is now into agri-business.
“After receiving K40,000, I bought some farm inputs like seed and fertilizer to start a garden. I also used the expertise gained from the project to make some organic manure.
“I am now into irrigation farming where I grow maize and tomatoes for sale, thereby helping me fend for my family,” says a visibly happy Maganizo.
Member of Parliament for Neno North, Thoko Tembo, expresses excitement with the funds, stating that it is a good incentive to the community as far as dealing with deforestation is concerned.
“The funds will help to restore the environment as communities have been empowered with capital to venture into good business that does not harm the environment.
“The problem has been that people had no capital and they resorted to cutting down trees as their capital by burning charcoal for sale which was disastrous to the environment,” notes Tembo.
MWASIP coordinator for Neno, Vincent Sambuka, discloses that they have disbursed a total of K170 million to all the four catchments to help project participants uplift their livelihoods with small scale businesses whilst they are implementing the project activities.
“The funds are given upon successful implementation of sustainable land management activities in their catchment area as an incentive to communities that have done well in sustainable land management activities whilst implementing the project so that they conserve the environment.
“The funds are provided in form of revolving fund and is used to provide micro-credit to community members involved in the village level action plan (VLAP) activities under MWASIP and is accessible to community members within the catchment area that are involved in the landscape restoration programmes,” Sambuka explained.
He, however, appeals to project participants to follow guidelines that have been determined by the communities so that the funds can grow and resources can reach more community members.
Chairperson for Chekucheku Catchment Management Committee, Steve Donda, says it is encouraging to see how people have embraced the funds and are repaying the loan in time.
“The VLAP distributes the money according to performance such that others received over K100,000 and for purposes of sustainability, they have opened an account where there is a committee and they have a 10 percent interest which is repaid after a period of six months,” Donda explains.
Donda attests to Dominic and Maganizo’s testimony of improved livelihoods, adding that they are indeed able to yield the fruits of CECF.
“People invested in small scale businesses, farming and now some are purchasing livestock and household properties and some people are repaying before the agreed time,” adds Donda.
On her part, District Commissioner for Neno, Rosemary Nawasha, urges beneficiaries to venture into meaningful enterprises that should transform their lives.
“The funds are primarily meant to improve people's lives as they are conserving the environment,” Nawasha emphasizes.
Neno is one of the districts in Malawi that is grappling with deforestation as most its forest reserves are under threat due to charcoal and timber production, and it is clear that initiatives like CECF are slowly changing people's mindset.
Chakwera pledges support to Lilongwe vendors
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, February 27, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday met Lilongwe Vendors Association at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe where the vendors presented the problems they are facing when doing different businesses in the country.
Speaking at the event, Chakwera said he wanted to meet the vendors so that they can discuss issues affecting them on the marketplace.
“I am delighted today that vendors have voiced out problems they are facing day by day when doing businesses. You know the country has been facing financial challenges since Covid-19 but my government is still working so hard to make sure that we are better again as a country. For that matter, I want to assure you that I will support you in the businesses.
“Your concern on tax, I will put that into consideration so that you are able to make profits from the products you buy from outside the country. It is sad that vendors cannot afford to pay taxes because of high prices they get from Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA),” he said.
Chakwera further encouraged the vendors to work together for them to help each other in boosting their businesses, telling them that “jealous will not take this country anywhere but when we are united it’s where we can see the progress.”
In his remarks, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, thanked the President for having an audience with the vendors, saying it shows how important the President considers its citizens.
“As the Minister, I am so grateful that the president had to meet the vendors for the first time here in Lilongwe with over one thousand vendors to give them a platform to present their concerns about how their businesses are doing.
“Issues which have been raised here are very important and the president will look into them very soon,” Chimwendo Banda said.
Representative of the vendors, Hardwell Kachibekete, emphasized the issue of tax, saying that since Covid 19, businesses have been hard to operate but they are still charged with high tax from MRA when they are importing products.
“We are pleased with how the President has responded to our concerns. Our biggest challenge was taxes, so the President has said that he will handle that matter with relevant authorities,” said Kachibekete.
Well-wisher roofs classroom block
By Amos Phiri Chigwa
Mchinji, February 27, Mana: Community members from Senior Group Village Head Diti, Traditional Authority Dambe in Mchinji have breathed a sigh of relief after receiving iron sheets for a classroom from a humanitarian, Anthony Masamba.
Masamba will also foot the cost of roofing the classroom, which has stayed for three years without a roof, giving learners a more conducive place for studies than under trees which they used due to lack of classrooms.
Speaking in an interview over the weekend after the gesture, Masamba expressed his concern about challenges faced by schools in Mchinji North East Constituency as a whole.
"Schools are facing numerous challenges in this constituency, children are learning under the trees, lack of enough infrastructure and enough teachers are forcing children into early marriages. We cannot keep on watching our community fall like this, we need to do something,” said Masamba.
Masamba called for support from community members, saying it will lead to improvement in the development of this community.
"Our community is trailing in terms of development; we cannot wait for someone somewhere to do something for us. We need to start supporting ourselves wherever we can if we are to live a better life. We should not depend on government to do everything for us but rather we should try to help the government in achieving its development goals,” he said.
Masamba said he is targeting five schools with the development of infrastructures, desks, and many other assorted items as this will give a chance to the youth to play an active role in achieving the Malawi 2063 agenda.
Headmaster of Diti Primary School, Rowlings Mbendera, who also happens to have taught Masamba, hailed his former student for his efforts of trying to improve the education standards of the community.
"This is the spirit that the nation needs if we are to achieve Malawi Vision 2063. Masamba has shown how passionate he is to improve the wellbeing of his community.
“At this school we are suffering a lot, we do not have desks, and we have few classroom blocks. Coming in of the Iron sheets for the school block will help us to solve the problems of learning under trees, and mixing classes when rains come,” said Mbendera.
Senior Group Village Head Diti congratulated Masamba for the donation.
"We have suffered for a long time as a community; we built this school block on our own as community members three years ago, and throughout the period we have been hunting for the iron sheets but to no avail to the extent that we decided to thatch it with grass," said the chief.
CSEPWP gives hope for environment restoration
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, February 27, Mana: The water and soil conservation interventions that are being done under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) have given hope to restoring the environment and rehabilitating degraded soil in Mchinji, thereby enhancing high yields.
CSEPWP is a component under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP), which aims at, among others, rehabilitating the degraded environment, strengthening households’ resilience to shocks and increasing households’ income.
In an interview with beneficiaries in the safety net CSEPWP, they said there is hope that the degraded land can be healed and households can be able to harvest more.
Susan Phiri from Kamphoro catchment in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kapunula said water runoff from Nkhukwa Hill was causing havoc on the fields downhill, and this affected yield.
“The interventions like stone bands and semi-secular bands have helped to reduce water runoff thereby helping the field downhill to be protected and the soil is no longer being washed away, giving us high yield,” said Phiri.
Chairperson for Nathyola Catchment in T/A Mlonyeni, Andsen Mvula, said the land is filled with gullies but the check dams they have constructed are helping to fill up the gullies.
“The big gullies were eating up farming land but we have made sure that they are filled up by using check dams that check the speed of the water. We are observing that the gullies are slowly filling up with soil which later will be used for farming,” said Mvula.
Desk officer for Gumba Catchment, Jeremiah Chafukira, said they have set up interventions uphill which have helped in catching water which later is able to infiltrate into the soil, and they have also helped reduce siltation in rivers.
“The most important thing about these soil and water conservation initiatives is that, there will be enough groundwater, crops will not be washed away, and rivers are protected,” said Chafukira.
CSEPWP is benefiting 19,362 participants in Mchinji who get K28,800 in wages after working in the catchments to restore the environment.
Senior Land Resource Conservation Officer Rhoda Njikho said in the next cycle, the number of beneficiaries is likely to be increased.
“There will be additional 3,783 beneficiaries in the next cycle which will be added on top of the 19,362,” said Njikho.
Other interventions include the construction of swales, contour marker ridging, caring for naturally regenerating trees, afforestation, and river bank protection.
CSEPWP is implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee and funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
Marist Brothers roll out goat pass-on programme in Salima
Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, February 27, Mana: Marist Brothers in Malawi on Monday rolled out a goat pass-on programme targeting young people from underprivileged families.
Speaking after a symbolic presentation of the goats at the headquarters of Traditional Authority (T/A) Maganga in Salima district, the National Provincial Councilor for the Marist Brothers in Malawi, Brother Francis Jumbe, said the programme seeks to empower youths.
He said the programme is in line with their philosophy of making a difference in the world by showing young people that they are loved, safe and cared for.
“Today, we are distributing 50 goats to the first line beneficiaries who are expected to pass on the benefits to the second line of beneficiaries. We expect that the goats will help the targeted youths to generate income for investment in other entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Jumbe.
He assured the beneficiaries that they will be offered expertise on how to take care of the livestock by linking them with the district agricultural office.
He then pleaded with the beneficiaries to look after the goats well and jealously guard them against theft.
One of the beneficiaries, a 24-year-old Christina Phiri, from Umodzi Business Ladies, commended the brothers for the initiative, saying the programme will play a crucial role in transforming her life.
She said as a single mother, she lacks resources to take care of her child, hence she is hopeful that through the pass on programme, she will establish herself businesswise to be able to take care of her child.
“I have been struggling to afford a decent life for me and my child; this is a gateway to a better future. I pledge to raise the goats very well and ensure that we pass on to the next line of beneficiaries,” assured Phiri.
In his remarks, District Commissioner for Salima, James Mwenda, described the livestock pass-on scheme as a pathway out of poverty for the young people in Salima.
Mwenda assured the Marist Brothers in Malawi of the government's commitment to partnering with the religious brothers in improving lives of the underprivileged in the society.
"We would appreciate if this initiative would be scaled up to other areas in the district so that more youths should benefit and improve their lives," he said.
The livestock pass-on scheme is a component of the Girls Education Project, the religious brothers are implementing with financial support from an Irish charity called Misean Cara.
Apart from Salima, the project is being implemented in four other districts of Lilongwe, Balaka, Zomba and Dedza.
Two in police custody, one at large over murder in Chiradzulu
By Emily Kaliwo
Chiradzulu, February 27, Mana: Police at Namadzi in Chiradzulu have arrested Joseph Wesere, 37, and James Kanjinga, 31, on suspicion that they masterminded the brutal killing of a 78-year-old granny, Edina Makhumba.
Public Relations Officer for Chiradzulu Police, Cosmas Kagulo, confirmed the development, saying the suspects have been arrested by Criminal Investigation Department officers who intelligently gathered information about the two while one suspect is on the run.
"Upon interrogation, the suspects admitted to have committed the crime together with their friend who is still at large; the crime was committed during the wee hours of February 9, 2024 at Lidala Village in Traditional Authority Mpama in the district where, after the brutal killing, they went away with a keypad phone, four chickens, beddings, five kilogrammes of maize flour and K20,000 cash, all adding up to K112,000," he said.
Kagulo said that investigations are still underway to apprehend the remaining suspect and recover the stolen items.
Wesere comes from Lidala Village, Traditional Authority Mpama in Chiradzulu while Kanjinga comes from Mlumbe Village, Traditional Authority Chitera in the district.
The deceased came from Lidala Village.
DMPA-SC guidelines to improve comprehensive productive health coverage
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, February 27, Mana: Blantyre District Commissioner (DC) Alex Mdooko has said collaboration between private health facilities and the local government through Subcutaneous Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA-SC) guidelines will reduce the prevalence of unintended teenage pregnancies, improve comprehensive productive health coverage and that individuals will learn self-care through injectable contraceptives.
Mdooko made the remarks on Monday at Lighthouse in Blantyre during the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and introduction of DMPA-SC guidelines which aimed at addressing universal health coverage, especially on family planning and increased contraceptive uptake among women.
The DC said the private health sector plays a great role in supporting communities with health care services, adding this was why Ministry of Health, through the Reproductive Health Directorate, engages private pharmacies, clinics, and medicine stores to contribute towards family planning by having easy access contraceptives to improve quality life in families.
“More than 40% of services are provided by the private sector in the areas of maternal, neonatal and child health, family planning, malaria and nutrition. Increase of family planning methods through private facilities leads to improvement in health of mothers, children and the status of women,” added Mdooko.
He disclosed that Malawi National DMPA-SC guidelines for private facilities will contribute to a bundle of knowledge and key direction on various contraceptive methods, as individuals will be able to self-administer themselves.
Speaking during the ceremony, representative of Pharma plus Pharmacy, Blessings Gondwe, said promotion of self-care can improve people's informed decisions about health services, adding that self-care has the potential to address unmet needs of family planning, contraceptive use, HIV testing, and other health needs.
“Through this collaboration, we will make sure that our entities apply the guidelines and abide by the direction provided by the Ministry of Health and we will work together with much effort to improve reproductive health coverage,” said Gondwe.
In his remarks, Deputy Director of Reproductive Health Dr. Owen Chikhwaza said through DMPA-SC guidelines, women will be able to inject themselves with Sayana Press in their homes, as the directorate intensify supervision of all private facilities to ensure that the products are available in all health corners.
“Women will be trained on how to administer themselves through HAS. We are committed to ensure that communities attain the highest possible level of health and quality of life and we don’t want cost to be the barrier to access these services,” said Chikhwaza.
DMPA-SC is an effective form of hormonal contraception administered via intramuscular injection.
Chikwawa District Council rewards best performing teachers, schools and PEAs
By Leah Malimbasa
Chikwawa, February 27, Mana: Chikwawa District Council on Monday awarded best performing teachers, schools and Primary Education Advisors (PEAs) for their outstanding contributions for the 2023 Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations.
Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia, who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Chikwawa Mkombezi, graced the event at Chikwawa Secondary School Hall and said government was commitment to improve quality education in the country.
“Government’s desire is to inspire teachers to work diligently towards improving education standards. All we need is collective efforts because this can only be achieved if we work together,” she added.
The minister went on to share the government's ambitious plans for the education sector to improve.
“President Lazarus Chakwera has pledged to construct 3,108 classrooms, 243 toilets, and ICT Centre’s in the district this year. This highlights government's commitment to infrastructural development aimed at creating a conducive learning environment,” she said.
Acknowledging the significance of local initiatives, Mia also mentioned that the increment of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to K200 million will enable MPs to construct additional classrooms in their respective constituencies.
In his remarks, District Commissioner for Chikwawa, Nardin Kamba, expressed gratitude to the minister for gracing the occasion, saying her presence testified significance of collective commitment to education in Chikwawa.
“We, as a council, have set a bold challenge for the district's education sector to ascend from our current position 24 in the 2023 PSLCE rankings and go up the top 10 best-performing districts nationally. Together we can turn this vision into reality.
“In the journey towards progress, it's imperative to recognize that the development of nations begins with a strong foundation in education, so our commitment to this cause is paramount for the prosperity of our district and the nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Lundu has requested that teachers’ welfare should be prioritized, emphasizing the need to increase teacher salaries.
Mia has assured the Paramount Chief that she will deliver the message to the Minister of Education and advocate for better remuneration the teachers.
Some of the categories for the awards included best performing schools with most students selected to national secondary schools where Nchalo CCAP Primary School scooped first position and best performing head teacher with highest A grades during 2023 PSLCE examinations, which was also won by head teacher for Nchalo CCAP Primary School, Alice Dinda.
The awardees received cash, certificates of recognition and trophies.
Nkhata Bay farmers excel with AGCOM project grants
By Yamikani Sabola
Mzuzu, February 27, Mana: Farmers’ cooperatives in Nkhata Bay District which benefitted in phase one of Agriculture Commercialization (AGCOM) project have hailed the project for boosting their agricultural production through provision of grants.
Speaking on Monday when Minister of Agriculture visited the district to appreciate how the cooperatives have utilized AGCOM grants, chairperson for Toweca Producers and Marketing Cooperative Society, Robson Munyenyembe, said they used part of the grants to procure a tractor, plough, ridge and planter.
Munyenyembe said with the modern implements, their farm operations have been mechanized, enabling them to increase land for soya beans production to 30 hectares this year, from nine hectares last year.
“AGCOM gave us K82 million grants which came in two tranches. We used money received in the first tranche to buy a tractor, plough, ridge and planter at a total cost of K60 million. We also used grants received in the second tranche to build a big warehouse for storage of our soya beans harvests,” he said.
Secretary for Mtoto Poultry Cooperative and Bee Keeping, Dorothy Mzumara, said their cooperative received K30 million grants which they used to buy a two-ton lorry, gas heater and solar panels for use on their poultry farm.
Mzumara however complained about lack of market for their chickens and asked government to protect small holder broiler chicken farmers from big companies which she accused of monopolizing the business.
“There are big companies which sell us broiler chicks, chicken feed and other materials required for broiler chicken production. However, the same companies are also getting involved in growing broiler chickens which they are supplying even in rural markets at cheaper prices which we cannot compete with,” she said.
In his remarks, Kawale promised that his ministry is going to engage Competitions and Fair Trading Commission and Ministry of Trade on the issue of alleged monopolistic tendencies by chicken feed manufacturing companies.
Kawale added that he was impressed that more women and young people were actively taking part in the project and transforming their livelihoods economically.
AGCOM is a government project which aims at transforming small holder agriculture from mostly subsistence to commercial.
