‘Support community based care centres’

Mangochi District Council principal nutrition, HIV and Aids officer Charles Lomoni has asked village savings and loan (VSL) groups to support community-based care centres (CBCCs) with money to buy nutritious food for learners.

Speaking on Monday when Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare officials visited VSL groups in Traditional Authority Chowe in the district, he also advised the groups to grow crops to support the centres.

Said Lomoni: “The district has a serious record of stunting at 45.4 percent, surpassing the national rate at 37.1 percent.

“Please, let us reduce stunting by supporting the CBCCs with food that contains nutrients.”

He also commended government for linking VSL groups with CBCCs, saying the initiative will reduce stunting in the district.

In her remarks, Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare director Clotilda Sawasawa expressed satisfaction with the people’s commitment to support CBCCs.

She said: “We have seen people share huge sums of money and their support for the CBCCs.

“This is in line with our agenda to sustain more children at the centres.”