CoM student forgoes 10 meals for Ntchisi mothers

A 23-year-old University of Malawi College of Medicine (CoM) student skipped up to 10 meals to save money to donate to this year’s Nation Publications Limited (NPL) Mother’s Fun Run.

David Howa, a fourth year Bachelor of Science in Medicine student at the college’s Blantyre campus, said he was moved by reports he read in The Nation about the challenges Ntchisi mothers go through; hence, the gesture.

Through the initiative, NPL and its partners are currently mobilising resources for Ntchisi District Hospital and its 11 satellite health facilities.

Howa said he started to skip some meals to save for the project. A meal at the college costs K800.

He said: “I have rarely been a giver, but as a medical student, I could relate. Those stories compelled me to spare a thought for what I normally face whenever we go out for outreach clinics as part of our course.”

NPL technical services manager John Kaunda, who received the donation on behalf of the media house, said he was overwhelmed by the student’s gesture.

He said: “It’s not the amount but the value of his selfless act we hope to amplify. What this young man has done is both selfless and heroic, something worth cultivating even in our own children.”

NPL marketing manager Albert Banda said the initiative would not have inspired change over the years if it neglected even the least of its partners.

The project is expected to hand over all donations made to Ntchisi District Hospital on October 13 this year.