By Alick Mhango
KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-As heavy rains continue to pour in all parts of the country, Learners at Mabalani primary school at Chilumba in the southern part of Karonga district are in dilemma.
Learners now cannot afford to cross Leha River to and from school as its bridge has been washed away by floods due to heavy downpours.
In their quest to enable their children to still go to school besides washing away of the bridge.
One of the parents, Laurent Chandiwira Ndovi says parents dip into their pockets to pay canoe sailors the some of MK100.00 to ferry their children to and from school daily which they say is costly.
Speaking in an interview, Councilor for Uliwa Ward in Karonga South Constituency, Dyson Mzumara pleaded for help from will wishers to reconstruct the bridge to enable children to go to school wethout hindrances so that they become responsible citizens of the country.
Mzumara further says he is negotiating with lawmaker for the area to request some funds from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the construction of the bridge as they are waiting for support from well wishers.
“We are in dire need of support for the construction of Leha bridge to ease our children’s accessibility to school. We are pleading with all stakeholders to be in our shoes so that we construct this bridge so that our children are not violated of their right to education,” said councilor Mzumara.
However, soon after the councilor’s plea for help, the fallen Shadow Member of Parliament (MP) for Karonga South Constituency in the May 21, 2019 palls, Duncan Kawonga came into their rescue by hiring two boats to be ferrying learners to school without paying any penny.
Kawonga says he has done this on humanitarian grounds and not as a campaign tool for the next elections.
“I have done this because I realise the importance of education on the socio-economic development of the country hence it is my wish to help our children learn smoothly without blaming anybody of robbing them their right to education when they fail to excel with their studies,” said Kawonga.
Mabalani primary school is situated along the lake side at Chilumba Getty at Karonga South about 40 killometres away from Karonga boma.
