NGO to donate PPE to 30 primary schools

Community Initiative for Social Empowerment, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), will from today donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to 30 public primary schools in three education zones in Mchinji.

The exercise follows the reopening of schools today after five weeks temporary break as a precautionary measure to further spread of Covid-19.

Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with stakeholders from the district education office and the district hospital, the organisation’s programme manager Joan Ching’amba said thy want to protect learners and teachers from the pandemic.

“Some learners cannot afford to buy PPE. So, we hope the donation will help them attend classes,” he said.

In a separate interview, Mchinji district coordinating primary education adviser Raphael Beleko commended the initiative.

“The donation will create a safe learning environment in schools,” he said. 

In random interviews, most parents and learners at Mchinji Boma, commended the initiative.

Geoffrey Kumbewe, a resident, said he had little resources to help his children with PPE.

“I have four school-going children who need face masks and hand sanitisers. So, the support has eased my burden,” he said.

Meanwhile, Beleko said with funding from the Ministry of Education, they have disinfected all schools.

“The council has also bought soap and distributed to schools,” he said.

Last week, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 announced the reopening of schools today.

The items include face masks and hand santisers and were funded by Foreign Commonwealth Development Office to the tune of K5 million.