Pacific Ltd support vulnerable kids in Ndirande

In an effort of producing a productive Malawi by promoting proper growth of kids, an association that aims at taking care of the needy children, youth and women has donated blankets to Mercy Montessori Children Centre in Blantyre’s populous township of Ndirande.

Commonly called Step Up; the Serve, Train, Educate, Proposition, Uplift, and Provision association made the provision to the kids after looking at their plight and the prevailing chilly weather, at a time the attention of many is at people who are in the voting ages.

“Of course, we have not managed to reach out to all the needy kids because we did not have enough for all of them. We wish it was so, but we could not wait until we get enough for everybody. But we are optimistic that not long from now we will get other things and assist accordingly,” said Step Ùp administrative secretary Natash Lombola in an interview with Nyasa Times.

The administrative secretary revealed that Step Up sourced the blankets from a well wisher, Pacific Limited, whose chairman Faizal Aboo said they could not wait long to help after hearing the plight of the kids.

“Yes, we sent the assistance to Step Up Association because we were touched with what they told us and as Pacific Limited we believe in helping the needy to build a better Malawi,” Aboo said.

The Pacific Limited boss disclosed that although this is the first time they have helped Step Up and Mercy Montessori Children Centre, they have been in charity work since time immemorial and that they are not stopping because it is one of the company’s corporate social responsibilities.

“We are happy to be part of the nation building through promotion of health, education and self-empowerment in addition to job creation and other development endeavours in the country,” explained the Pacific boss.

Appreciating the donation, Simon Nthambala, director of the Center which has almosst 100 kids and runs nursery to standard 3 classes, said he was happy with what Pacific Limited has done and asked other companies, civil society organisations, faith community  and individual to emulate.

“It is good to get such donations as they help the needy directly and being long lasting gifts I know it will change the lives of the kids especially this time around when the weather is so cold,” Nthambala said.

He added: “We hope this is just the beginning as there are many others who need assistance and it will also be good if other people appreciate the need to help those in the want.”

The Centre director, however, asked parents to see to it that it is the kids who are using the blankets and not adults as that would defeat the whole purpose of the assistance.

He said: “Let the blankets benefit the kids and not anybody else otherwise any contrary action will still leave the kids vulnerable to cold weather which has its own healthy harms.”

On his part, Child Protection Officer in the Ministry of Gender and Children responsible for the area, Fred Banda advised those who run community child based centres to make sure that they follow best child care practices so that the lives of the children they look after are indeed taken care of.

Banda, who disclosed that there are 24 registered child care centres in Ndirande, asked other well-wishers to come forth and assist needy children so that the nation has a good foundation. He also advised all booming up child care centres.

He also emphasised the need to approach the social welfare office for guidance of running such establishments so that the law is respected at all times.

The officer also applauded the passion that the traditional leader of the area, Somanje Makata has over the welfare of children. Somanje-Makata is under senior Chief Kapeni in Blantyre.

A representative of the parents of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude over the donation and asked Step Up to approach Pacific Limited for more funding.

The centre, which also offer meals to all the kids, is in dire need of kitchen utensils, learning and playing materials and food in addition to personal materials for the kids.

There are around 9,000 registered vulnerable kids in Ndirande hence assistance from companies like Pacific Limited and Step Up is worth recognising.

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