By Salome Gangire

Neno, December 26, Mana: Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Neno District have expressed gratitude to the government for the lean season response funds and their regular cash transfers, saying the financial support will enable them to purchase food and meet other basic needs.

Speaking on Wednesday at Ligowe in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlauli's area during the disbursement of lean season response funds and social cash transfers, a beneficiary from Dzomodya Village,  Nelia Somebody said the funds would help her purchase food for her household in the coming months.

“The money I have received will go a long way in helping me buy food and other essentials that I couldn’t afford on my own. I am very grateful to the government,” Somebody said.

As part of the lean season response programme, SCT beneficiaries received a lump sum of K210, 000 to cover three months in place of maize supply in addition to their monthly stipends. Payments ranged from K244, 000 for single-member households to K374, 000 for larger families.

Another beneficiary from Dzomodya 2 Village, Macdonald Kusata, echoed similar sentiments, observing that the funds came at a critical time.

“The money has come at the right time when I had no food for my family. I will now be able to buy food for the coming months and celebrate Christmas well,” Kusata said.

Principal Social Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare responsible for Manual and E-transfers, Gilbert Kaponda said the lean season response funds were provided through support from the European Union (EU) in addition to their regular monthly stipends from September to December, representing a vertical expansion of the programme.

“The government recognizes the challenges posed by hunger and is ensuring that beneficiaries receive both their regular payments and additional support under the lean season vertical response. We encourage beneficiaries to use the money responsibly by prioritizing food purchases and meeting their children’s school needs as schools reopen in January,” Kaponda said.

He emphasized that the Social Cash Transfer Programme is designed to achieve three main objectives: reducing poverty and hunger, increasing school enrollment and improving the health and nutrition of beneficiaries.

Kaponda added that the government is digitalizing all social protection programs with efforts underway to conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) processes for all beneficiaries to enable electronic transfers in Neno.

Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfers in Neno, Amos Chandilanga disclosed that the EU's contribution of K648, 480,000.00 was meant to support 3,088 SCTP beneficiary households in the district whereby each household is receiving K70, 000 per month for three months under the Lean Season Response Programme.

“This once-off payment is designed to help households purchase food items during the lean season,” said Chandilanga, adding that the lean season response programme in Neno is being delivered through two modalities: cash transfers for SCTP beneficiaries and in-kind maize distribution for others.

He added that the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report identified 5,692,122 people across 28 districts and four cities as requiring food assistance for three to six months during the 2024/25 consumption year.

In Neno District alone, 13,869 households are affected, of which 3,088 SCTP beneficiaries are receiving cash transfers for three months instead of maize having received the commodity for the past two months. The remaining households will continue to receive 50-kilogram bags of maize under the programme, which began in October.

By Abednego Sibale

Nkhata Bay, December 26, Mana: Programs Manager for Malawi AIDS and Community Development Support Organization (MACODESO), Michael Chirwa, Wednesday said that over 140 children aged below 14 in Nkhata Bay have been reinstated on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).

Chirwa said the children have been reinstated on ART after defaulting the therapy for varied periods after their parents and guardians had travelled to other countries in search of employment opportunities.

He was speaking at Chisala in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri in Nkhata Bay during Ndife Umodzi Know Your Rights awareness campaign on the rights of children and women living with HIV.

"It was observed that some guardians fail to support children living with HIV to adhere to ART.

With the help of Ndife Amodzi Know Your Rights campaign, I am glad to say that 143 under the ages of 14 have been reinstated on ART in 2024 and we will continue engaging communities so that we maintain the status," said Chirwa.

According to Chirwa, discrimination against people living with HIV is a major obstacle in fighting HIV.

"We will therefore continue empowering communities to report to relevant authorities any forms of discrimination and ART default cases, " he said.

ART Coordinator at Nkhata Bay District Health Office, Yvonne Mnjeza commended MACODESO and other stakeholders for collective efforts towards improving the well-being of children living with HIV who depend on their guardians to manage their life decisions.

"This development is a significant initiative in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly among vulnerable populations like children," said Mnjeza

Community Policing Station Coordinator for Nkhata-Bay Police, Joseph Kyeyo said that he was optimistic that this campaign will enhance   advocacy for women and children health rights.

By Alex Mlanga

Blantyre, December 25, Mana: Cancer Survivors Quest (CSQ), an organisation that supports cancer patients has appealed to the public for donations to assist five cancer patients to access medical treatment in hospitals.

According to CSQ Executive Director, Chikhulupiliro Ng’ombe, the organisation aims to provide financial support to cancer patients, covering transportation and food costs; thereby, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and patient dropout rates.

Ng’ombe noted that cancer patients from low-income backgrounds often struggle to access medical care due to financial constraints.

“An average person cannot carter for transport and accommodation to access medical care as it is free in Malawi but to travel to hospitals is costly since some come from far places like Mangochi and need to travel to Blantyre while some need to go to the hospital twice a month, of which it is expensive undertaking,” he said.

Established in 2011, CSQ uses cancer survivors to promote hope and support to those affected by the disease in Malawi.

“We use those that have survived cancer to promote hope to others who are suffering from the disease and through their contributions we support the cancer patients with transport and other materials,” said Ng’ombe.

Meanwhile, CSQ has raised awareness in the whole country and introduced many programmes with the aim of supporting cancer patients in Malawi.

“Without blowing our own trumpet, we have managed a lot in terms of awareness we have done a lot of awareness throughout the nation. We have been to Mzuzu, Zomba, Blantyre and Lilongwe; we also have online awareness, screening programme and cancer awareness clubs which support patients,” Ng’ombe added.

One of the cancer survivors from Blantyre, Mathias Chinthenga expressed gratitude for the support from CSQ. 

“For me, I cannot say much, all that I can say is to thank God almighty for allowing me to meet with these people because they have helped me a lot to receive cancer treatment as I was having some problems with money for transport, without them I could have just been staying

“I was lacking care because I am single, I don’t have parents, money for transport no one was assisting me. I was thinking of committing suicide but since I met with these people my life changed,” said Mathias.

Mathias, therefore, encouraged well-wishers to donate to the organisation, noting that cancer is a chronic disease that requires sufficient support.

Malawi Health Equity Network Executive Director, George Jobe commended CSQ, pointing out that the health sector needs more partners to complement its efforts in health service delivery.

“We have some cancer patients who don’t have money to go to the hospital to receive treatment but when they get support their lives are saved. So, we commend the initiative of soliciting funds from well-wishers and well-wishers whose contributions have saved lives,” Jobe said.

However, Jobe called on people to support such initiatives as those initiated by CSQ in a bid to reach out to more people with the support.

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, December 25, Mana: In an attempt to meet the demand for blood due to malaria cases and road accidents, Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) has called upon those eligible to donate blood to save lives during this festive season.

In a press statement released on December 20, 2024, MBTS announced plans to conduct blood donation campaigns across the nation to supply blood to authorized hospitals and save the lives of patients requiring blood transfusions.

“These activities will be conducted in various churches, villages and trading centres. Therefore, the requirements for a donor include healthy males and females aged between 16 and 65 years, with a body weight of at least 45kg and who are not anemic,” read the statement.

MBTS also disclosed that during the 2023/2024 financial year, they collected over 122,000 units of blood, which saved many lives, including accident victims, cancer patients, anemic children and mothers with pregnancy complications.

As part of its mandate, MBTS collects, tests, processes and supplies safe and adequate blood and blood products to all patients who require blood transfusions in authorized hospitals across Malawi.

Health expert, Maziko Matemba told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday that Malawians must develop the habit of donating blood regularly to help meet the demand for blood in hospitals.

“Blood plays a crucial role in the human body and without it, the body cannot function,” Matemba explained.

Matemba also urged Malawians to avoid activities that could endanger their lives, noting that the high rate of accidents during the festive season could be reduced.

“Malawians should report to their nearest hospital if they experience any form of body malfunction, rather than waiting until after the festive season,” Matemba advised.

Matemba commended MBTS for their timely appeal, emphasizing that this period sees an increased need for blood due to malaria and road accidents, although the need for blood persists throughout the year.

By Willy Kadewere

Chikwawa, December 25, Mana: In an attempt to enhance quality education, Chikwawa District Council recognized efforts by teachers in the 2023/2024 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE) performance through award presentations to best teachers, Primary Education Advisors (PEAs) and schools.

The event took place at Chikwawa Secondary School hall on Tuesday under the theme: "Recognizing Teachers' Excellence, Backbone of Quality Education."

In his remarks, Chikwawa District Council Chairperson, Martin Goche appreciated the efforts of the teachers, saying there is a significant change in terms of PSLCE performance in the district.

"As compared to 2022-2023 PSLCE results where only 70 learners were selected to National Secondary Schools. This year's PSLCE performance has improved with at least 104 learners selected to National Secondary Schools," said Goche.

Goche who was the guest of honour during the event has since encouraged teachers in the district to continue providing quality education for the council to become one of the best-performing districts.

Director of Education and Sports for Chikwawa District Council, Gertrude Zimba Jumbe said the significance of motivating teachers and recognizing their efforts in providing quality education cannot be overemphasised.

Jumbe said despite teachers working under challenging factors, such as a high teacher-to-learner ratio, they have produced good results as a district compared to the past two years; hence, the recognition.

Head Teacher of Sekeni Primary School which emerged top in the best school category, Gladys Mugawa, expressed satisfaction with the award, saying they have been motivated to continue doing better as a school and also as individuals.

Apart from awarding teachers, the district council has also distributed 10 motorcycles to PEAs as one way of facilitating their mobility.

By Brian Wasili

Mwanza, December 25, Mana: Zambezi Evangelical Church (ZEC) National Men’s Ministry has embarked on a tour aimed at reaching out to different groups of underprivileged people with different kinds of gifts as one way of celebrating Christmas with them.

During the visit to Mwanza Prison, the group preached the gospel before donating assorted food and non-food items worth about K1 million to the inmates and staff as part of celebrating the festive season.

In an interview, ZEC National Coordinator for Men's Ministry, Pastor Jangiya Mwembere said the donated items which included soya pieces, salt, sugar, body lotion and assorted types of soap among others were mobilized by Christians of the church as well as members of the ministry.

Mwembere said that Jesus Christ was teaching people to love one another; therefore, one way of expressing it is by ensuring that challenges faced by marginalized groups are minimised.

“Sometimes people that are in difficult circumstances including the inmates are neglected by society but as followers of Jesus Christ we would want them to feel that God still loves them regardless of their situation and that is why we are celebrating with them the birth of Jesus Christ,” said Mwembere.

In a separate interview, ZEC’s Mitsidi Synod General Secretary, Pastor Robert Yanduya expressed gratitude, saying the group was introduced in the church about two years ago with an aim of doing charity work by reaching out to the hopeless.

Yanduya said the ministry has already provided skills on financial management, literacy, counseling and guidance on family matters and how to deal with depression so that suicide cases among men were reduced in the church. 

He, therefore, commended the group for fulfilling its purpose by doing what Jesus Christ was teaching the disciples about love.

“Apart from visiting prisons, the group has also targeted hospitals, orphanages, child headed families and those with chronic illnesses among other groups,” said Yanduya.

In his remarks, Mwanza Prison Chaplain, Sergeant Rashid Mwachande commended ZEC men’s ministry for coming forward with the support, noting that it was timely.

“The institution cannot provide the items to all the beneficiaries due to financial constraints,” explained Mwachande.

Speaking on behalf of the inmates, Steven Benard commended ZEC for the gesture, saying the support will address some challenges they face in prison such as lack of basic needs including soap.

“The donation is also going to promote our personal hygiene so that we stay healthy while here like those who are outside,” said Benard.

All the 350 male inmates at Mwanza Prison benefited from the donation.