MAP drums up support for rural outreach programme

The Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) has asked government to help revive its rural outreach programme suspended in 2013 due to lack of funding.

MAP general manager Alex Dzikambani said this on the sidelines of activities to mark the International Day for Persons with Disabilities at Chisitu Primary School in Mulanje District on Friday.

He said MAP stopped the programme after their donors withdrew support in 2006.

Through the programme, MAP used to visit rural areas to offer free social rehabilitative services to about 200 000 people.

By suspending the programme, Dzikambani said they lost an important wing of their operations.

He said: “There is an outcry out there. When the donors left, government committed to take over. But it only managed to support our operations at Kachere Rehabilitation Centre.

“Over 80 percent of Malawians live in rural areas, and that is where most of our clients are.

“Some need assorted devices, others to be brought to Kachere for intensive treatment before returning to their homes.”

Despite submitting proposed budgets to government for the past two years, resource constraints have hindered the revival of the programme.

Dzikambani, however, remained hopeful, saying: “We have the capacity to go out there; we have human resources and workshops, but we just need the money to take us to the people.”

On the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, Dzikambani stressed the importance of the platform in raising awareness about disabilities and appealing for funding.

He stressed the potential contributions of persons with disabilities to the country’s development.

In response, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza pledged government support to ensure that MAP receives adequate funding for its rehabilitation services.

She acknowledged the broken systems and committed to restoring support for their outreach programme.

The minister also called on district councils to prioritise persons with disabilities in social welfare programmes.