By Catherine Walusa
The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has expressed its satisfaction towards the good work which the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) in the Diocese of Mangochi is doing by improving the livelihood of the villagers of Lusewa and Ngatala villages in the Traditional Authority Chimwala in Mangochi district. These villages are found in the parish of Kausi found in the Diocese of Mangochi.
Giving his remarks on 29th February, 2024, after a supervision of different projects which were established by CADECOM, Chris McLullich who is the program officer of SCIAF in Scotland said the projects have supported many people who were needy and affected by natural disasters. “As SCIAF, we are delighted to support the CADECOM of the Diocese of Mangochi and for the hard work and unity the beneficiaries are showing by utilizing different skills and knowledge in implementing what they are being taught. As Caritas agency, we think we can still do more than this,” said McLullich.
Martha Chipendo, one of the beneficiaries from vocational training said CADECOM has helped her with knowledge of how to fix a motorcycle and has been equipped with startup kit. Giving her remarks, Evelyn Maya who also benefited through training in tailoring and designing said she has learnt a lot of things such as peddling sewing machine, measuring and stretching clothes.
Despite training young people into different skills, CADECOM has also supported village bank groups by teachers teaching them how they can invest money they earn. Introduced in 2017 with only 15 members, the beneficiaries said they are now more than 30 members and their life has been transformed through the profits made by investments using the money received from CADECOM.
As part of restoring the environment, schools like Ekala primary started planting trees around the school campus, under the program of “My School My tree” in order to restore the environment. Mr. Gabriel Chipipa, the headteacher of the school said that more trees will be planted at this school through support from CADECOM. However, he was quick to mention about hunger which has become a problem of that area, which also contributes to absenteeism of learners hence having poor performance. “Using the maize flour contributed by each parent who has a child at our school, we offer the learners porridge in the months of January and February, which are crucial months in terms of hunger. With this program, we register many leaners only in those months, but when the flour is finished, leaners stop coming to school,” said the school head.
The Primary Education Advisor (PEA) of Namisi zone where Ekala school is found, Mrs. Esmy Mkumbira expressed a concern of insufficient learning and teaching materials at this school and she also requested a support from well-wishers in terms of feeding program to be extended.
With support from SCIAF, the CADECOM also supported Ngatala irrigation scheme with a solar pump, which helps the members of the irrigation scheme of that area to grow maize and other crops more than once a year.