Blantyre concert to raise funds for needy pupils

Blantyre-based gospel artists will on Sunday unite in a concert at Robin’s Park to raise funds for underprivileged school-going children.

‘Nurture a Child, Nourish the Nation Concert’ is an event that has attracted an excellent line-up of performers, among them Estiner Katengeza, David Kalilani, Patience Namadingo, JewCha, Masomphenya, Unique One, DJ Kali, K Mo, Rhema and J Josh.

Apart from the music artists, there will also be spoken word acts of Muyanga, Sharon and Jedediah.

The concert is an initiative by Ray of Hope Ministries, an organisation founded by young people in Chilomoni Township and responds to several education challenges faced by disadvantaged children in the area.

“There are many challenges facing school-going children such as overcrowding, absenteeism, shortage of food in their homes and lack of school fees in secondary school.

“We have after-school programmes, feeding programmes, library services and sponsorship programs paying fees for needy secondary school children,” explained Willie Mpasuka of Ray of Hope.

According to Mpasuka, the group serves 500 children in their after-school programme, feeds 60 children four days a week, has 20 learners on secondary school bursaries and reaches out to 100 learners every day with remedial lessons.

“We would like to raise funds for us to meet our current needs. We are opening another site to reach out to more pupils in Chilomoni and Likhubula. We hope the fundraiser will afford us the finances to fund this,” he disclosed.

Through the Ministry of Education, the organisation partners three primary schools in Chilomoni, namely St. James Catholic Primary School, Lumbira F.P. School and Chilomoni L.E.A. Primary School.

Musician Patience Namadingo said in an interview this week that musicians have the responsibility to give back to the communities, especially children who cannot afford education.

“As gospel artists we preach love and we have to be there for our communities. If there’s a call to raise funds that will help the needy, why not answer to it. This is a very important concert,” said Namadingo. “It also drives me to be part of it seeing that the organisers are youths.”

Jew Chapomba indicated: “I am excited to be part of this concert looking at how it will change the lives of many children. Music should be meaningful and for a cause.”