APM urges support for people with disabilities

President Peter Mutharika on Wednesday appealed to Malawians to donate generously towards programmes aimed at offering skills, jobs and economic independence to disabled people in the country. The President was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe after inaugurating this year’s Malawi Council for the Handicapped (Macoha) Flag Week. Every year, Macoha uses the flag week as its main national fund-raising exercise during which the public tops up on funding government gives to the organisation to run programmes aimed at improving the lives of the disabled. Mutharika donated K2 million (about $3,185). He said he is sensitive to the plight of people with disabilities and was happy to note that some buildings were being made specially accessible to persons with disabilities. Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati saluted Macoha for ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy inclusive societal services, including rehabilitation and vocational training. In the picture, the President addresses the gathering at the ceremony.—SAMUEL CHUNGA, Lilongwe Bureau Chief