Miss Malawi inspires widows, orphans in Ngabu

Excitement and gratitude were evident in Chikwawa on Friday when Miss Malawi Cecilia Khofi visited vulnerable groups, including orphans and widows, under Pashello Charity Trust.

The Miss Malawi interacted with the children and talked to the widows, among other activities.

Khofi also spent time with a six-week-old orphan whose mother died due to maternal-related complications.

She said: “I am greatly touched by the plight of these children. I wish more partners could join me to reach out to them with basic needs.

“Child marriage is one of the serious issues that are killing young women, creating a generation of orphans in the process. But I believe we can stop this if we join hands.”

Khofi said education and empowerment of women, particularly adolescent girls, could help to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge to fight some of the vices such as child marriages that stand in their way.

Pashello Charity Trust  accommodates over 80 orphans and other vulnerable children, most of whom became destitute following the death of their parents, according to Felia Malola, executive director of the Trust.

“Most of these children either have a single parent or are double orphaned. They have no one to take care of them; hence, the establishment of Pashello Charity Trust. But we rely on partners to help us look after these vulnerable groups because we don’t have enough resources,” she said.

Malola appealed to Miss Malawi to help the Trust in mobilising resources to boost its daily services such as feeding, education and health programmes.

Khofi also sensitised widows, including other community mothers, to the need to control the number of children in their families, arguing overpopulation is creating pressure on families and the nation.

Apart from the inspiration talks, Khofi also donated groceries to over 80 beneficiaries, courtesy of household and bodycare products manufacturer Candlex Limited.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, group village head Misongwe hailed Miss Malawi for her visit and choice of Ngabu.