World Vision Malawi has launched Chilengedwe Chibwelele Area Programme in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kunthembwe in Blantyre to empower communities to, among others, improve the well-being of children and restore the environment.
The organisation has committed $9 million (about K6 billion) for the first five-year phase of the 12 years programme, focusing on access to clean water, health, education, nutrition, livelihoods and environment.
In his remarks on Tuesday at Andiseni Primary School in T/A Kunthembwe, World Vision director of operations Charles Chimombo said they launched the programme following an assessment that identified Kunthembwe as one of the most vulnerable areas in the country.
He said: “We found that this area has some of the most vulnerable children in Malawi. Less than three out of 10 households have access to clean water and nearly 30 percent of children are malnourished.
“The land is severely degraded, which is why the programme is called Chilengedwe Chibwelele, meaning ‘Let the environment be restored.”
Chimombo said the initiative will also tackle school dropout rates and teenage pregnancies that prevent children from achieving their potential.
Blantyre district commissioner Alex Mdooko commended World Vision for introducing the programme.
“The programme gives us hope that even in times of hardship, we can rebuild and restore our community. The government will fully support this initiative to ensure accountability and sustainability,” he said.
Senior Chief Kunthembwe expressed optimism about the programme’s impact, saying children in her area face multiple challenges such as school dropout, malnutrition, inadequate classrooms and lack of clean water.
Children carry placards expressing their voices. | Patricia Fiwa
