LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The First Lady, Monica Chakwera, has urged Malawians to join hands in reaching out to needy students who may drop out of school because they lack fees for their education.
Madam Chakwera, who has always been a champion of education through her Shaping Our Future Foundation, made the remarks at Mzuzu Government Secondary School on Thursday during a mentorship visit to the school.
“Failing to finish secondary education is a very big problem. I therefore appeal to everybody who can help to please do so.
“It would be a shame for us as a country to see a girl child selected to Mzuzu Government Secondary School, for example, failing to pursue her studies because she has no resources,” said the jovial First Lady.
During the visit, the First Lady donated 20 computers, 150 chairs, 50 bags of maize as well as 59 dining tables.
Speaking to journalists, Secretary for Education, Mangani Chilala Katudu, said initiatives such as those of Shaping Our Future Foundation are helping a lot in alleviating the situation where some students fail to continue their studies due to lack of financial resources.
“In terms of human resource capacity building, Malawi 2063 looks at our youth as a source of capacity and capability to contribute to the development of our nation. As a ministry, we would like to thank a number of institutions, NGOs and individuals that are already doing that.
“It’s critical that we reach out and touch those that are in need of support so that they don’t drop out of school,” Katundu said.
Headteacher for Mzuzu Government Secondary School, George Chunga, hailed Shaping Our Future Foundation for the visit and the timely donation.
Said Chunga: “We are very thankful for the donation. The computers will help teachers to finish the syllabus in time and they will also ease administration of examinations.
“As for the maize, you are aware that a healthy student is one that works well and hard. Our students needed tables to be used when eating.”
One of the 28 beneficiaries of Shaping Our Future Foundation at Mzuzu Government Secondary School, Uchindami Nyirenda, told Maravi Post that it was a privilege and honour to be visited by the First Lady.
“Some of us nearly dropped out of school but the First Lady came to our rescue. The tables and chairs have come at the right time. We used to take our meals while sitting on the floor. We will now be sitting on new chairs and tables when taking meals,” Nyirenda said.
Shaping Our Future Foundation is currently working in all the districts across the country, supporting over 2,500 students.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi ‘s First Lady Monica Chakwera has appealed to organisation and people of good will to work hand in hand with government in making sure that people especially rural women are aware of breast cancer.
Chakwera made a call on Tuesday night, October 12, 2021 at a fundraising dinner organised by Think Pink Malawi to remember the life of its founder Blandina Khondowe who died of cancer in November 21, 2020.
The first lady said it is sad that women are dying of breast cancer because they lacked information about the disease.
“Let us all borrow a leaf from the life from Blandina Khondowe who wanted to take breast cancer messages to rural communities. Each one of us should take this responsibility to inform other women in our villages about breast and cervical cancer.
We need to get organised to teach our women in the villages on breast cancer and educate them on self-breast cancer exam,” she said.
Chakwera who made a donation of MK1 Million said medical research shows over 80 percent of breast cancer cases are curable if detected early.
She therefore asked women to always go for cancer examination, screening and treatment saying cancer is not e death sentence since it can be cured if detected early.
She expressed happiness to note that some corporate institutions have teamed up with Think Pink Malawi in raising awareness about the disease.
The first lady also advised medical practitioners to speed up in making referral on cases that needs special treatment.
Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda Kandodo said the presence of the first lady at the event demonstrates government commitments to fight cancer in the country.
She said President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered her ministry to complete the construction of cancer center at all cost.
She added that some of the challenges cancer patients are facing will be overcome once the cancer center becomes operational.
“Government is doing all it can to fight against the disease. We have enough drugs for treatment of various cancers in Malawi,” he said.
Co-founder of Think Pink Cleanor Nkosi thanked men for who stand with her organisation to fight against breast cancer.
She described Khondowe as a very passionate lady who was very instrumental in advocating for adequate cancer equipment in hospitals.
“Even at a time she knew she was dying she could still talk to people about the danger of danger and the importance of early detection,” she said.
She said the fight against cancer is being challenged by fear and misconception in communities adding; “it is not true and proper for one to believe that once you have cancer then your breast will be removed.”
Nkosi said all the funds raised will be used to buy a bus which her organisation be using when carrying out programs in communities.
Khondowe was an advocate for breast cancer awareness and she spoke highly about lack on facilities and access to equitable management of the disease.
Born on October 12, 1980, she also founder of Hope for cancer Foundation and was affiliated to global and local cancer associations.
LILONGWE-(MANA)-First Lady Monica Chakwera has urged girls in the country to remain in school, be vigilant in facing various challenges and only make life defining decisions at a mature level of life.
She made the remarks at Kamuzu palace in Lilongwe on Thursday during the launch of the booklet titled ‘Life Story of The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi Madame Monica Chakwera’ and a video documentary about the same, that has been developed by Plan International Malawi.
The media items depict the life of the first lady as a young girl to her present life, documenting the thick and thins she faced, growing up, and how she committed herself to overcome those in order to fulfill her life dreams.
These have been developed to reinforce hope and motivation for young girls especially in the rural areas facing similar challenges she faced.
“I grew up in a remote area and through struggles I managed to pursue my education. My village life was not a hindrance to my ambitions in life. I worked hard and excelled in my primary, secondary and university education just as others in similar situations like mine have done.
“The story that we launch today is a living example that many girls from rural areas can draw inspiration from and understand and realize that even with the limitations of life, one can still make it to their God given destiny,” said Chakwera.
The first lady said she hoped her story would empower young girls especially in rural areas struggling to make ends meet, to commit to their dreams and only make life defining choices when they are mature enough.
“This is what I did and those choices have paid off today. I want young girls to know and understand that life will always offer us choices and whatever path we choose to take, will always have a bearing on who we become tomorrow,” she said.
She as such called upon stakeholders to join Plan International in making sure a lot of young girls have access to the booklet, and reaffirmed her commitment in championing ending early child marriages and promote education for all girls especially in rural areas.
The booklet is expected to be provided to schools so that young girls draw inspiration from the First Lady’s story.
So far, 2500 books have been printed. It is also expected to be translated into several local languages like Chewa, Yawo and Tumbuka.
Quiz programmes are also in the pipeline targeting rural girls as part of continuation of the programme.
In her remarks Country Director of Plan International Malawi, Phoebe Kasoga said they made sure the book will remain relevant for the longest time possible.
“We made sure the work is free from politics so that the media items live the test of times. This should be a book that should help changing and motivate the girl child.
“If each of us can work together, we can build a country of prosperity,” she said.
Minister of Education Agnes NyaLonje said the inspirational booklet has come at an appropriate time when her ministry is also prioritizing girl child education.
“Educating a girl child has many benefits as it helps the individual child, it brings returns to her family, it leads to reduced population growth, it leads to improved educational levels for future generations and it improves the social economic development of the country.
“Your Excellency, from your story, we all draw special lessons in humility, focus, determination, resilience and reliance on God. It is a story that connects the girl child to her dream, a story that speaks of possibilities regardless of where one comes from or their economic status. Today my ministry stands to benefit from your story,” she said.
Malawi First Lady Monica Chakwera: now ambassador for ending child marriages
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Plan Malawi International has crowned the First Lady Monica Chakwera as Ambassador for ending child marriages.
The child focused humanitarian organisation unveiled Chakwera for the role during this year’s national commemorations of the International Day of the Girl Child, which falls on October 11.
In her acceptance speech at the BICC in Lilongwe on Friday, the First Lady committed to work with various stakeholders in ending child marriages in the country.
Plan Malawi also unveiled Mary Chilima, spouse to Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, as Ambassador for ending cyber bullying and online harassment.
The group has further appointed Speaker for the national Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara and her deputies Madalitso Kazombo and Aisha Adams as ambassadors to champion Girl Child education in Malawi.
This year’s theme for the commemoration is ‘My Voice, Our Equal Future’.
I n her acceptance speech, Chakwera said it was saddening that women, who are in majority, continue to struggle to make a breakthrough in almost all sectors of life.
She said this is because majority of women do not have adequate education to enable them compete with their male counterparts.
“I have joined the cause [eliminating child marriages] because I have seen that there are less educated women in this country although they are in majority. My personal commitment comes from my personal experience. I will commit to work together with other stakeholders in ensuring that all girls are educated,” she said.
She added: “My mom was not educated but at her level, she made sure we got educated. She worked so hard and supporters us all the way. Let’s join forces and promote a girl child to go school no matter the circumstances.”
Her remarks come few days after President Lazarus Chakwera said that Malawi has inadequate qualified females.
Chakwera, who used to criticize the immediate past President Peter Mutharika for failing to include more women in leadership positions, startled Malawians on when he said gender balance in his recent appointments could not be achieved because of inadequate qualified females.
He made the remarks at Kamuzu Palace when he was cerebrating 100 days in office since he assumed power after defeating Mutharika in the Court sanctioned election on June 23, 2020.
“The hiring of boards of directors for dozens of parastatals was not just to fill space,” said Chakwera.
He said gender balance could not be achieved because of inadequate qualified females.
The President said the legal instruments on picking boards did not allow just to handpick any female into the boards, but being dependent on qualifications.
To make it clear that he does not see qualified females, Chakwera further asked the general public to bring forward a list of capable women who they feel can be included in different positions in government departments.
He was responding to a question on the appointment of boards in relation to women representation, which is below the requirement under the Gender Equality Act.
ACCRA, Ghana, September 2, 2020: Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany conducted their first Video Conference Summit of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) on 31st August 2020 to define and follow up on different joint programs that aims to advance public healthcare sector capacity and strengthen the response to COVID 19 in their countries.
The MFFLI VC Summit 2020 was hosted by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board of E. Merck KG and the Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck More Than a Mother and One of 100 Most Influential African (2019 & 2020) and attended by 13 African First Ladies, who are Ambassadors of Merck More than a Mother; H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe; H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia; H.E. FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone; H.E. AÏSSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU, The First Lady of Niger; H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia; H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique; H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi; H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana; H. E. FATOUMATTA BAHBARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia; H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic; H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi; H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana; H.E. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of Angola.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board of E. Merck KG and the Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees emphasized, “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been greater than many expected across the globe. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of investing in improving access to equitable and quality healthcare which is Merck foundation’s strategy since 2012, even before the pandemic started.”
Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation explained, “I am very proud of our valuable partnership with the African First ladies as ‘Merck more than a Mother Ambassadors’. We have always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity through providing training to healthcare providers in many medical specialties. This has been our strategy since we started in 2012 in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health, much before the pandemic started. As a response to COVID 19 pandemic, we adopted online medical education strategy through providing more than 350 African doctors with one-year online diploma and two-year online master degree in many specialties such as: Respiratory Medicines and Acute medicines, Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, and Sexual and Reproductive Medicines. This is in addition to more than 500 African and Asian doctors who benefited from our original clinical training programs in Diabetes & Cardiovascular, Oncology, Fertility specialists, and embryology in India, Egypt, Kenya and Malaysia which will resume after the lockdown ends”.
The MFFLI VC Summit, special edition aims to share experiences, discuss challenges, and define solutions to further strengthen healthcare capacity to better respond to this global pandemic in Africa.
The African First Ladies shared the experiences of working closely with Merck Foundation in their respective countries with special focus on the programs to build healthcare capacity and the response to COVID -19.
H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother emphasized, “I am very happy to see Merck Foundation’s strong commitment to advance the public healthcare sector across Africa. This is very critical to Zimbabwe, in the light of current pressure on our healthcare sector. More than 117 local doctors are enrolled in these training programs which will transform our healthcare sector”.
H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, First Lady of Zambia & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother emphasized, “We are proud of our partnership with Merck Foundation, which started in 2019. In a very short period, we have been able to reshape the healthcare landscape of Zambia by providing our doctors and nurses with specialty training in the fields of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Respiratory, Acute medicines, Sexual and Reproductive medicines, Fertility and Embryology. All of these fields are very critical and were lacking in our country. This will contribute to our battle against coronavirus and other diseases”.
H.E. FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother expressed, “I am extremely elated with our partnership with Merck Foundation, as together, we are making history in Sierra Leone by providing training for the First Oncologists in the country to establish the first skilled cancer care team. Also, our doctors are being trained in the fields of diabetes and fertility care. We will scale up the program to more fields together with Merck Foundation very soon”.
H.E. AÏSSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU, The First Lady of Niger & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother emphasized, “I am happy to be part of this prestigious platform. Since the Merck Foundation launch in 2017, together we have made a significant impact on our healthcare sector, through establishing a strong platform of Health experts in very critical fields such as; Diabetes, Oncology and Fertility care in Niger”.
H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother said, “I am very happy to see that Merck Foundation is strongly committed to advancing the public healthcare sector across Africa. This is very critical to our countries in light of the current medical and public concerns. This is very important for Namibia as we have a very limited number of local specialists in the public sector, we are very happy to enroll 21 Namibian doctors in online diplomas in many fields, including 8 in sexual and reproductive medicines which is very important for women health”.
H.E. Dr. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother explained, “Together with Merck Foundation, I am fully committed to will work closely to introduce innovative ideas that will engage different sectors to create a culture shift with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and make a great impact in a short time.”
H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother said, “I am looking forward to starting our important long term partnership with Merck Foundation. I am willing to capitalize on the valuable programs of Merck Foundation, by scaling them up nationwide to contribute to the social and economic development of Malawi”.
H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother elaborated, “We launched the innovative programs of Merck Foundation at the beginning of 2019, to build healthcare capacity and break the infertility stigma. To share with you that since then and in a very short time we have been able to provide and enroll many of our healthcare providers with specialty training in the fields of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Respiratory, Acute medicines, Sexual and Reproductive medicines, Fertility specialists and Embryology training”.
H.E. FATOUMATTA BAHBARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother said, “I am delighted to share the magnificent outcomes of my long term partnership with Merck Foundation. Together we have been able to empower infertile women through access to information, education, health, and change of mindset. Also, we have enrolled 25 Gambian doctors in One-year online diploma and one-year master degree in many medical specialties”.
H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother emphasized, “I am very proud to work closely with Merck Foundation to advance healthcare sector and empower infertile women in my country. We also initiated in my country, an important project “Empowering Berna“ where we established small businesses for infertile women and train them to run their businesses so they can have income and become independent. Their lives have been transformed since then”.
H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother expressed, “I am very happy to be appointed the Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother last week. I am excited about the work that has been done in my country so far and looking forward to taking this partnership to new heights”.
H.E. NEO JANE MASISI The First Lady of Botswana & Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother highlighted, “Merck Foundation’s strategy of building healthcare capacity is more relevant now than ever. More than 34 doctors were enrolled to different specialties, I will closely work with Merck Foundation and our Ministry of Health to ensure the success of this program to be able to improve our people’s health and wellbeing”.
H.E. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, The First Lady of Angola expressed, “I am very proud and happy to be a part of MFFLI VC Summit and look forward to a long-term partnership with Merck Foundation. We will closely work together on all their initiatives to build healthcare capacity and empower girls in education”.
Monica Chakwera donating Personal Protective Equipment PPEs to Dowa District Council for distribution to Dowa district hospital
MBC reporting says Malawi First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera has challenged people in the country to take a proactive role in observing all COVID-19 prevention measures to help disrupt the further spread of the pandemic.
She has made the remarks in Dowa after donating Personal Protective Equipment PPEs to Dowa District Council for distribution to Dowa district hospital and 8 other health facilities in the district.
The consignment included 17,600 medical and fabric face masks, thermometers, and sanitizers.
Speaking when she presented the donation, the First Lady said the gesture is party to efforts aimed at creating a better Malawi for all.
Madame Chakwera received the PPEs from her counterpart in China through China’s Ambassador to Malawi in July this year.
Director of Health and Social Services for Dowa District Council Dr. Peter Makoza has since commended the First Lady for the gesture pointing out that it will bolster the district’s response against the pandemic.
First Lady Monica Chakwera today cheered a young mother in the maternity ward of a hospital in Salima.
As part of the effort to cheer and support the young mother, the first lady donated assorted items to Mkondawako Samson of Salima.
The donation includes K200 000 cash, milk formula, nappies, blankets, wrappers, face masks, sobo squash, sugar, salt, clothes, bags of maize and beans.
Mkondawako Samson gave birth to twins, Chisomo and Chimwemwe with acute malnutrition. The three are hospitalized at Salima District Hospital.
Chief advisor to the first lady MacDuff Phiri made the donation on behalf of the First Lady.
Phiri said the first lady was moved to act after learning from social media about the condition of the lady and children.
Samson who said her condition and the twins were improving steadily, hailed the first lady for the kind gesture saying it will go a long way in improving nutritional needs
Malawi’s First Lady Monica Chakwera receives donation from China to fight Covid-19
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has donated medical materials to help Malawi in the fight against Covid-19.
The donation which has been made possible by the First lady of the People’s Republic of China consists of thermometers and face masks.
First lady of the Republic of Malawi Madame Monica Chakwera received the donation on Tuesday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
In her remarks after she received the donation, Madame Chakwera was grateful to her Chinese counterpart for the gesture which she said will go a long way in the fight against the pandemic.
She said the donation, which is targeting mothers, youths and health workers, has come at a right time when Malawi is experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases.
She, therefore, appealed to the beneficiaries to use the materials for its intended purpose if the fight against the pandemic is to materialise.
PRC Ambassador to Malawi Liu Hongyang said China he has been closely watching Covid-19 situation in Malawi hence the donation.
“We have been observing the situation in Malawi and decided to team up in the fight against the pandemic by donating the materials which will help mothers and youths play a role in the fight against the pandemic,” he said.
He said his government is considering more donation to Malawi Government to accelerate the fight against the pandemic.
Among others, Ambassador Liu said PRC is bringing to Malawi a team of medical experts that would team up with their Malawian counterparts to advance the fight against the pandemic.
Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda hailed the donation saying it is key in Covid-19 fight and has come at a right time when such materials are wanted. “First stage in Covid-19 testing is screening hence the thermometers will go a long way in ensuring that screening is done at all levels whereas face masks are needed for prevention,” she said.
She, then, welcomed the consideration of bringing in medical experts saying it is important that much as the country may have equipment but personnel to impart knowledge to health workers in very important.
Earlier this year PRC announced of donating personal protective equipment to Kamuzu Central, Queen Elizabeth and Mzuzu Central Hospitals.
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