BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)–Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Claus Chilima has hailed the Rotary Club International for its contributions in the areas of health, education, finance and youth development.
Chilima, while officially opening Rotary Club International’s four-day conference at Mkopola Resort in Mangochi on Thursday, said Malawi government appreciates the role the club has played in the devepment of the country.
“I am aware that Through Rotary,a micro-finance institution, known as FINCA was established to assist poor people in rural areas access funds for setting up small scale businesses. Over the years, FINCA has played crucial role in empowering families through business.
“Rotary was also instrumental in eradicating polio 20 years ago through the efforts of Rotarians when you teamed up with government to set up the Malawi Against Polio (MAP) project. We now say Malawi is polio free, thanks to the efforts that Rotary contributed,” said Chilima.
He also hailed the club for working with government in areas of education and youth development.
On his part, Michael Webb, who is the Rotary director and personal representative to the Rotary International president said his club will continue to help young people because amongst others a polio free world is the gift they promised to generations that are to come.
“We will still fundraise until our dream is met and lives of people have been improved,” said Webb while urging his fellow Rotarians to be agents and not spectators of development by fundraising for the club.
Rotary International is an international service organisation whose purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders toprovide humanitarian services, advance goodwill and peace around the world.
The conference, which will run for four days is being held under the theme “Be a gift to the world.”