Mzuzu DEC nods to K14m street kids project

Mzuzu District Executive Committee (DEC) has endorsed a K14 million project championed by a local non-governmental organisation, God Cares Rights Foundation, aimed at removing kids from streets.

In an interview on Friday, Mzuzu DEC representative Mtisunge Nyirongo said the project will help reduce the influx of street children in the city.

“The project will help keep children in school. The learners will be given learning materials, fees and other needs,” he said.

God Cares Rights Foundation executive director Agness Mughogho said the project will support both primary and secondary school learners by providing them with fees and learning materials.

“With funding from our partner Egmont Trust, we will be able to support the learners from September until the academic year comes to an end next year,” she said.

Mughogho asked community leaders, school committees and other authorities to support vulnerable children to remain in school, saying lack of parental care in some homes is forcing the children into the street, instead of remaining in school.

The project is set to keep orphans and other vulnerable children in school, and will directly benefit 150 children, 30 households and indirectly benefit 1 000 people.

Recently, Mzuzu City has witnessed the rise in street children who loiter about soliciting alms for their day-to-day life.

Apart from education, the project will also meet the children’s health needs.