The Free Expression Institute is running a poetry writing competition for the youth which it says is receiving overwhelming response.
Since the competition was launched on May 20, 2013, over a thousand entries have been received from all corners of the country.
However, with contestants competing in three different categories, most entries have come from districts in the Southern Region, with few so far received from Northern Region districts.
“The first category is for the visually impaired who write using braille. The other two categories are for school going children aged between 8 and 12 and teenage students aged between 13 and 18. Winners of each category will receive a cash prize K100 000 (US$314) with their two runners-up going away with K50 000 (US$157) each.
“There will be other consolation prizes in form of cash and other assorted items. Winners in the students’ categories will receive individual awards, as well as awards for their respective schools,” said national coordinator Peter Jegwa Kumwenda.
The competition opened on May 20 with entries being received by post via P.O. Box 30575, Capital City, Lilongwe 3 or P/Bag 217, Lilongwe.
“Contestants are free to write on any subject in English or any Malawian language. All entries must include contestants’ full name and address and contact phone number. For those contesting in the students categories, entries must also include the name and phone number of their headmaster or school teacher,” said Kumwenda.
Closing date for the competition is June 20 and winners will be given awards at a special ceremony on July 20.
The Free Expression Institute is an independent civil society organisation which is non-governmental, non-political and non-profit oriented consisting of individuals, institutions and associations genuinely interested in the promotion of freedom of expression and democracy in Malawi.
