WVM launches bicycle education empowerment in NB
World Vision Malawi (WVM) has launched a bicycle-powered education programme in Nkhata Bay District to save learners from walking long distances.
Speaking during the launch, World Vision national education manager Florence Pwele said the programme will mostly benefit girls who are affected by long distances.
“Those that get married are no longer children. Once we find out that you have gone into marriage be it a boy or a girl, we will take the bicycles back. They are here to assist you in education,” she said.
Nkhata Bay district commissioner (DC) Alex Mdooko said long distance is a challenge to learners in the district, especially those in community day secondary schools.
“Long distances force learners to drop out of school and they end up getting married,” he said.
Mdooko also called on other non-governmental organisations to emulate what WVM has done.
He said governance projects should be left to few organisations and the rest should concentrate on projects that bring solutions to problems that Malawians are facing.
The organisation will first provide 375 bicycles to learners at Mpamba and Chikwina primary schools as well as Mpamba Community Day Secondary School.
World Bicycle Relief supported the purchase of the bicycles. n