One-of-the-Directors-of-Mwana-Wa-Mzako-Felicity-Malewezi.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Ten students who have excelled in their studies were rewarded with different prizes during the MwanawaMzakoawarde ceremony which took place at Likuni Parish on Saturday.
The students are from Don Bosco Technical College as well as various secondary schools.
Mwanawamzako awards is a project which was started by Father Hermes Paononga who, in 2003having noted with concern that young orphans around Likuni Parish in Lilongwe District could not access secondary school education due to lack of school fees.
This year Mwanawamzako awards were in three categories, the sponsor award, mwanawamzako Don Bosco and Secondary school programme award as well as directors award.
Martha Majamanda and AuswaldLingson both of Don Bosco were recognized in the sponsors award.
Majamanda got a brand new singer sawing machine to enable her start her own business business of design and tailoring.
Lingson on the other hand got a complete builders tool kit. Other students from Don Bosco who were also rewarded for their
exploits include Sara Kachimera, Victoria Nthara, Frank Mkwezalamba and Ethel Willy. They all were given a blanket.
In the secondary school programme, UlemuMkaka, John Stefano, Neria Banda and Grace Mayenje each got a matching tie and shirt for passing MSCE.
The board of Directors award went to UlemuMkaka and he got MK10,000 as a reward for passing MSCE with 14 points.
Speaking during the ceremony Dr Chimbiriwho was the guest of honour during the event disclosed that a new sponsor has been found to take care for the needs of five students bringing to 55 the number the program will be supporting.
Chimbiri said the impact the project is having in the life of students is immense since some are acquiring skills from technical colleges such as Don Bosco where one graduate has already been employed as a tutor in ICT.
“This program is a game changer and we are very proud to see the students we are sponsoring getting good grades as is the case with Ulemu Mkaka.
Another interesting factor is that more students are now able to get skills training and what now this means is that their future is clear and bright,” she added.
One of the Directors of Mwana Wa Mzako Felicity Malewezi, wife to former first vice president in the multi party dispensation was visibly radiant with happiness during the event as the students one by one were receiving their awards.
She said.”What has made this year’s awards unique is that they are in three categories.There is the sponsors award, mwanawamzako award and the directors award. We are very happy to change the lives of boys of girls who without this support could not finish their education. It is now pleasing to see that girls, instead of getting married at the age of 14 or 15, the programme has delayed the age of
marriage by four or more years.”
One of the recipients Ulemu Mkaka was lost for words with the reward of MK10,000 describing it as a new year gift.
“This will motivate me m to work hard so that I realize my dreams. I’ m indebted to MwanawaMzakoprogramme because my life will never be the same,” he added.
Starting from this year 2019 the program will be giving a special prize to any student at Don Bosco who completes a full course in a skill training programme.