Malawi government applauds Islamic organizations
Malawi government has applauded Islamic organizations for their work in uplifting lives of vulnerable people.
The remarks have come when an Islamic charitable organization World Association Friends Africa (WAFA) launched a wheelchair distribution project in Zomba.
Speaking to Radio Islam Minister of Gender, Community development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati, commended Islamic organizations for their great work in assisting government in making Malawi a better place to live for everybody regardless of their religious affiliations
Kaliati who was the guest of honor at the function said donating 390 wheelchairs to people with disabilities will ease mobility challenges hence participating in economic activities that can change their lives for better.
“Religious organizations like WAFA are playing a crucial role as they reach out to vulnerable people like girl children, the elderly and the physically challenged,” Kaliati
She therefore asked authorities in Zomba like the district health office, social welfare office and the district council to work together in identifying and assessing physically challenge individuals who can receive the wheelchairs.
In his remarks, World Association Friends of Africa chairperson Altaf Gani, said the 390 wheelchairs worthy 35 million Malawi kwacha will be distributed to those in need through proper channels like MACOHA and district hospitals.
The WAFA chairperson also said ” we hail government for it’s commitment to work with non-governmental organizations in uplifting lives of less privilege people in Malawi.”
He then called upon religious leaders in the country to always give hope to people with disabilities in Malawi.
Speaking earlier Zomba District Disability Forum chairperson Moses Yohane thanked WAFA for the kind gesture saying it has resonated with the Universal declaration on Human rights and also Malawi agenda 2063.
Yohane therefore appealed to those who will receive the wheelchairs to have sense of ownership and responsibility by taking care of them.
He said there are many people in need of the wheelchairs in Zomba district hence asked ministry of gender, community development and Social Welfare to source more funds and buy wheelchairs for people with mobility challenges.
Yohane also asked other well-wishers to join hands with government in addressing mobility challenges facing people with disabilities.
World Association Friends of Africa is launching the Wheelchair distributing project barely few days as Malawi will soon join the rest of the world in commemorating World disability Day slated on 3 December this year.
According to 2018 National Statistical Office Housing and Population Census, Malawi has over 1.5 million people with various disabilities.
