ActionAid drills 140 ECD mentors

ActionAid Malawi has trained 140 early childhood development (ECD) mentors from Lilongwe to enhance government’s efforts to promote elementary education in the district.

During the graduation on Friday, the organisation also donated 53 bicycles, 53 bags, 53 umbrellas and tablets to the mentors.

In his remarks, the organisation’s head of marketing Yandura Chipeta said the items will motivate the mentors to work hard to promote ECD activities in the district.

“They will be our eyes and ears in the communities. Their role includes inspiring other volunteers so that we get desirable results,” he said.

On his part, Lilongwe District Council chairperson Luciano Bottoman asked ActionAid to source more fundsto reach all traditional authorities in the district.

He said the training came at the right time when government plans to start giving ECD volunteers K15 000 honorarium.

“It is a coincidence because the project comes at the same time with the proposed introduction of honorarium for the volunteers. This is a double blessing,” said Bottoman.

Speaking on behalf of other mentors, George Betha said the training and the items will motivate them to work hard.

“We are like the apostles on the day of Pentecost [Acts Chapter 2] when they were filled with the Holly Spirit to preach the gospel,” he said.

With funding from the Rodger Federer Foundation, ActionAid Malawi is running a School Readiness Project in Lilongwe, Mulanje and Balakadistricts.

In Lilongwe, ActionAid Malawi is working with 70 community-based child care centreswhich are connected to 21 primary schools.