Chief Kawinga named hygiene champion
Two non-governmental organisations have named Paramount Chief Kawinga of Machinga as hygiene champion to spearhead good sanitation and hygiene in the district.
Amref Health Africa and WaterAid Malawi have chosen the chief following strides he has made on water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) under Deliver Life Two project being implemented with financial support from Scottish Government and the Scottish Water through WaterAid Malawi.
Speaking on Saturday at Nanyumbu Primary School ground during the commemoration of World Toilet Day, Amref Health Africa project officer for Machinga Charles Chirwa said they are impressed with the progress of Wash project in the area after the chief’s involvement.
He said: “We now have many houses owning toilets and practising good sanitation and hygiene.
“As one way of motivating the chief, we thought of giving him this role so that he can bring more positive changes.”
WaterAid Deliver Life Two project officer Chisomo Madula said they are delighted that their interventions are bearing fruits.
“This is why we have crowned the chief to ride on the hype he has set and his interest to promote good hygiene,” he said
Machinga district director of health and social services Anorld Kapachika commended the two organisations for the Wash initiative, saying the intervention has brought noticeable changes in the health sector.
“Before their intervention in 2015, the district registered over 900 cholera cases and over 30 deaths,” he said.
Kawinga pledged to use his new role to bring more awareness to the people on the importance of using toilets and also practising good hygiene.
Machinga District Council chairperson Alexander Shoti commended communities for improving hygiene.
Additional reporting by Martin Chiwanda, Mana
