Dwasco Sacco supportsadult literacy in Nkhotakota

Dwasco Sacco Limited operations officer Ronald Bwalamba says it is important to empower people with basic literacy skills to enable them to read and write to enable them transact in many areas.

He said this on Friday in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota during the graduation of 200 people who underwent a one-year adult lesson implemented by Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc Dwangwa Estate in the district.

Bwalamba said they embarked on the programme after noting that some of their clients, particularly those doing basic work in the sugar plantation, were failing to read and complete the forms when they want to access the company’s services.

“We realised that most of our clients, particularly those on basic field work were failing to fill the forms to access our services. We, therefore, embarked on adult literacy support and so far 200 have graduated from the initiative,” he said.

A beneficiary, Edson Mangulenje, said he was now able to read and write.

“I am now able to provide the right change to my customer at my shop,” he said.

The estate’s community engagement coordinator Martin Malisama said some workers were not able to read and write, making it difficult to sign documents to access loans from financial firms.

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza said it is only literate people who can successfully contribute to national development.

The ministry also runs adult literacy classes through district councils in the country.

The company spent K3.2 million on the initiative.