People in Traditional Authority Nthache in Mwanza District have demanded better services from duty-bearers to improve the well-being of children and vulnerable community members.
Through Citizens Voice and Action (CVA) groups that World Vision Malawi empowered, the people are asking duty-bearers to find solutions to address challenges facing education and health sectors in the area.
Speaking on Saturday during a meeting between Mwanza District Council officials and the community that World Vision organised, Senior Chief Nthache said his area was facing hunger and has no health centre.
He said: “We have no health facility to ensure easy access to healthcare services.
“Pregnant women and mothers travel long distances to Mwanza District Hospital to seek antenatal and under-five clinic services.
“Again, due to climate change, my subjects do not harvest enough food.”
In his remarks, World Vision Mwanza district programmes manager Samson Semu said they empowered the groups to engage duty-bearers on challenges facing their community.
He also said citizens are now able to hold authorities accountable.
Semu said: “We deliberately facilitated this meeting to enable communities to demand social services from duty-bearers. As an organisation that also promotes accountability, we thought it was wise to empower community members to engage duty-bearers at the district level.
“As you have observed, we have talked about issues surrounding health, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, livelihood and child protection. This is the only forum where the district council officials come to the community and listen to people’s concerns.”
Mwanza District Council spokesperson Brian Wasili acknowledged the challenges the communities are facing.
He said the council was doing everything possible to address them.
“I, however, call upon other stakeholders to support the council as government alone cannot address all challenges alone,” said Wasili.
