In a unique display of practical appeal and engagement skills; Malawi ambassador to Japan Major General Reuben Ngwenya seems to be on top of the game if the donations he is securing and sending to Malawi to help the flood victims are anything to go by.
Recently, Ngwenya made a passionate appeal to the government of Japan and an emergency disaster relief aid of K74 million was released by the government of Japan while thinly revealing that a cool K1.2 billion will also be on its way to Malawi once it gets the nod of the country’s national assembly.
The ambassador had also appealed and engaged the Mayor and Chairperson of Minato City Assembly in Japan who had also responded instantly by donating K3.7 million with Ngwenya assuring his fellow countrymen —especially the flood victims—that there is more aid coming from the ‘friendly and caring’ people of Japan.
And true to his word, Ngwenya has today announced that he has received a donation of K1.2 million from the General Manager Mr. Takahiro Suemori, who presented on behalf of the President of Be Forward, a leading Japanese car exporter.
In Malawi, Beforward is also sponsoring one of the country’s football power houses, Mighty Wanderers FC herein referred to as Beforward Wanderers Football Club as part of its corporate responsibility. This company also gives business to Malawi media as they advertise their products on some of these platforms to reach Malawian audience who like buying cars from them.
“I am pleased to inform you, Sir, that Beforward Company has donated K1.2 million Kwacha (Yen 300,000) to the Government of Malawi for the disaster victims. “This donation was in response to the plea that the Embassy made last week following your good guidance,” in part reads the Ambassador’s diplomatic memo notifying Lilongwe of the development; adding that “the funds have been transferred by Beforward into the Disaster Management Foreign Account FDH Bank 8600000018078 as per attached invoice.”
And speaking after the donation, Mr Suemori said that they have always known Malawi as “a peaceful country with ever smiling people.”
“The disaster came as shock news and this contribution is, therefore, meant to help the suffering citizens,” said Suemori.
Malawi experienced heavy rains which continued for two weeks thereby causing devastating floods that engulfed most districts in the southern part of Malawi leaving 176 people dead, hundreds of people still missing and over 200, 000 people displaced and in urgent need for assistance. It is against this background that the Malawi leader, Peter Mutharika declared 10 of the country’s 28 districts ‘disaster areas’ and appealed to the international community and non-governmental organizations to assist the flood victims.