Charities provide aid to cyclone-hit learners
Irish charity Misean Cara, with Marist Brothers & Malawi Red Cross, helps 500 learners in Mayaka CDSS , writes Peter Davieson.
ZOMBA, Malawi – Misean Cara, a mission support organisation from Ireland, in collaboration with the Marist Brothers and the Malawi Red Cross Society, has reached out to 500 learners at Mayaka CDSS, providing them with food and non-food items worth 15 million kwacha, writes Peter Davieson.
The donation was aimed at assisting learners and mother groups in the area who were affected by Cyclone Freddy in March 2023.
The items distributed included sugar, soya pieces, blankets, cooking oil, flour, salt, hygiene kits for girls, as well as clothes and blankets.
Brother Daniel Banda, Finance and Administrator for the Marist Brothers, revealed that they run a project called Girls Empowerment, which helps girls remain in school.
Their main focus is on students from open schools.
"Education is a necessity these days, so we train boys and girls to be good citizens in the country. Through this, we can develop as a country, and for that reason, we sought support from our brothers in Ireland," said Banda.
Communications and Resource Mobilisation Specialist Felix Washon commended the Marist Brothers for their support and urged learners, parents, and guardians not to sell the donated items.
"Many learners were affected, and education services were disrupted. It is important to help them so that they can continue with their education. According to statistics, many students drop out of school due to a lack of support. Some lost their houses, others their clothes, and they did not have food. As the Red Cross, we commend the Marist Brothers for their support," said Washon.
Testimony Kachingwe, Vice Head Girl at Mayaka CDSS, appealed to well-wishers to provide them with learning materials.
She mentioned that Cyclone Freddy not only disrupted their homes but also affected their school materials.
"Many learners did not perform well in their previous terms due to Freddy because they had no time to learn while moving up and down, searching for a place to live and food to eat," concluded Kachingwe.
The joint efforts of Misean Cara, the Marist Brothers, and the Malawi Red Cross Society have provided much-needed relief to the cyclone-affected learners, helping them overcome the challenges they faced and continue their education.
The donation is a welcome relief to the learners and their families, who have been struggling to cope in the aftermath of the cyclone.
The items will help them meet their basic needs and get back on their feet.
The joint efforts of the three organisations are a testament to the power of collaboration in times of crisis.
By working together, they have been able to provide much-needed support to those who have been affected by the cyclone.
The donation is a small gesture, but it is a sign of hope for the future. It shows that the community is there to support them and that they are not alone in their struggle.