Red Cross to disburse cash to learners in Mangochi
About 113 000 learners from 82 primary schools in Mangochi are expected to receive K5 000 each courtesy of Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS).
The Take Home Ration initiative is meant to cushion children’s suffering at home as schools remain closed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
MRCS officials
In an interview on Monday after disbursing cash to learners at Sungusya Primary School, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chowe, Mangochi District MRCS project coordinator Francis Liyati Phiri said the money represents the “meals” the children could have been eating if they were in school.
He said: “World Food Programme [WFP] provides meals to learners in primary schools during school time. So, the United Nations agency through MRCS will give money to learners equivalent to food ration they eat in schools.”
Phiri urged parents and guardians who received the money on behalf of their children to buy nutritional food for them.
“We want the children to remain healthy by the time schools open,” he said.
Mangochi district lands officer Blessings Mahala, who spoke on behalf of the district commissioner, commended WFP for the initiative, saying it will lessen suffering amid among Covid-19.
Cecilia Mthethwa, one of the beneficiaries thanked WFP and MRCS for the initiative.
