Community-led projects impress Minister Kaliati
Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati has commended communities from Traditional Authority (T/A) Chowe in Mangochi for owning government-initiated projects.
Speaking on Monday when she inspected the Community Development Mobilisation projects, the minister said government piloted the project in the district to learn how it could be replicated elsewhere.
Community members have created Mapulaji Forest where they are keeping beehives and constructed Sande-Mtuwa-Yiwole Road and Mangale Bridge.
They are also participating in savings and loans groups, adult literacy classes and are in nutrition groups where they are learning how to prepare nutritious food using locally available resources.
Kaliati said government is initiating the projects to empower Malawians in rural areas.
She said: “However, I commend the people for supporting the initiative.
“I ask Mangochi District Council to roll out the initiative in the other remaining T/As to scale up the interventions.”
On his part, T/A Chowe said the projects will benefit the communities in different ways.
“For example, regenerating forests will help to combat the effects of climate change,” he said.
Yusuf Maulana, a community member, said he was now able to read and write because he attends adult literacy classes.
In his remarks, Mangochi Malombe legislator Misolo Kapichira Mussa (United Democratic Front-UDF) said he will support the initiative.
Community Development Mobilisation is a government initiative that involves communities when implementing projects.
Mangochi District Council is implementing the initiative with several development partners, including banks in the district.
