KARONGA (MaraviPost)–In order to eliminate issues of early marriages as well as teenage pregnancies in the border district of Karonga, the Livingstonia Synod Aids Program (LISAP), a development section of the Synod, on Friday donated 143 bicycles to the community groups that advocate on such issues in three Traditional Authorities in the district inorder to easy their mobility.The donation was made under the Girls and Boys Empowerment Project in the area of Traditional Authority Kyungu, Kilipula and Mwakawoko where cases of early marriages and teenage pregnancies are rampant.
Speaking during the function, the organization Deputy Director Lazarus Harawa said the donation is also part of making the project sustainable as it is phasing out.
“We have been here for almost three years and we have managed to hook over one thousand girls from their marriages back to school,” said Harawa.
“Apart from that, we have also equipped boys and girls with the knowledge of HIV/AIDS so that they can know how to protect themselves from the disease,” he added.
According to Harawa, this was done by the assistance of the community advocates group that includes mother and father groups as well as church consortiums.
He said “the decision of donating the bike came after receiving complaints from the advocates group about the long distances they encounter during their work.”
In his remarks, Principal Group Village Headman Kalambo commended the organization for the donation.
“First of all I have to thank you for the implementing of the project in my area, this has really helped our girls as well as parents to start knowing the important of education,” said Kalambo.
“Without hiding, parents were just allowing their girls to stop school and get married due to some cultural beliefs but this is now a history. However, we can be happy if the project can be extended as some people still have the wicked mind when it comes to girl education,” pleaded the chief.
The three year project started in 2013 with 400, 000 pound from the Scottish government through Tear Fund.