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First Lady registers Beautify Malawi Trust

Malawi First Lady Gertrude Mutharika on Wednesday announced the establishment of her Gertrude Mutharika Beautify Malawi Trust (Beam) whose aim is to encourage Malawians to work towards making the country cleaner and healthier.

The First Lady said, among others, the trust would envision increased access to participatory and improved sanitation and sustainable community management of waste and waste facilities.

First Lady Getrude Mutharika
First Lady Getrude Mutharika

In a statement, Mutharika observed that waste collection levels in Malawi were still low, hence, triggering widespread illegal open dumping and backyard incineration.

“This has created negative environmental impacts and increased health risk of residents,” noted Mutharika who is the trust’s patron and board chairperson.

She said open waste dumps were primary breeding sites for mosquitoes, houseflies, rodents and other vectors of communicable diseases such as fever, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery and malaria.

“Loose papers and plastics that are blown by wind result in an aesthetic intrusion of the surrounding environment. Children are the most affected both in the present and future times.

“At this juncture, I would categorically want to state my commitment to restoring Malawi’s lost beauty by, among other things, encouraging good refuse management and waste recycling,” said Mutharika.

The First Lady assured Malawians she would soon make available more details about her vision while announcing the next steps in realising her dream for a cleaner and healthier Malawi.

Mutharika has since appointed presidential chief economic adviser Dr. Collins Magalasi as vice board chairperson of the trust.

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