Lilongwe Mpenu Nkhoma parliamentarian Collins Kajawa has disclosed that he has, over the years, lost six siblings to HIV and Aids, leaving his family with a responsibility of looking after several orphans.
He said this during the World Aids Day commemorations which World Vision Malawi organised in Traditional Authority Mazengera in the district.
Kajawa said the pandemic has dealt a financial blow to his family, especially on meeting medical bills. He called on people to avoid catching HIV.
World Vision Malawi acting programmes manager for Lilongwe district Charles Malonda said the commemorations focused on empowering girls and women in the fight against the pandemic.
“Girls are the most vulnerable because when they lack resources, they easily resort to prostitution. This increases their chances of contracting HIV,” he said.
Malonda said it was for this reason that they carry out projects in the area to promote girl child education.
“We provide the girls with learning materials and also sensitise them to the importance of education. All we want is that more girls go beyond primary and secondary level. This, in a bigger way, would enable them to be financially independent,” he said. n
