CCJP takes HE4SHE campaign to pupils in Karonga
By Jordan Simeon-Phiri
Contributor
60 pupils from three primary schools of Hangalawe, Lupembe and Vuwa from Nyungwe Zone in Karonga District, have been advised to refrain from harmful cultural practices that will hamper their educational future.
Justice and Peace (JP) of Karonga Diocese through HE4SHE project issued the piece of advice during an engagement meeting held on Saturday at Vuwa Primary School whose aim was to interact with pupils to teach them their rights in terms of gender based violence (GBV) and inclusive education.
Speaking at the event, JP Project Coordinator Moses Mwakisalu said pupils are the country’s future leaders who are supposed to be nurtured and be given an inclusive education for them to grow into productive citizens.
And speaking on behalf of pupils, Maureen Hara, a standard seven pupil at Vuwa Primary School hailed the JP for the initiative that has withdrawn girls from early marriages and are back to school.
Nyungwe Zone Primary Education Advisor (PEA) Stenfield Chilembo said the project has worked miracles by giving an opportunity to girls whose hope and future were doomed.
“Let me express my gratitude towards the implementers of the project that has benefitted a lot of girls in our community,” Hara said.
“With this project, we have managed to bring back to school girls, organized several activities as awareness campaigns for pupils and formed mother groups as well as HeForShe clubs.
“We have also counseled those recalled to forget about the past and concentrate on education while this other group has been warned to avoid stigma and discrimination,” Chilembo said.
On his part, Senior Chief Mwirang’ombe noted that the project has come at an opportune time as lakeshore schools become fertile grounds for promiscuity which prevent girls and boys from going to school.
The chief, further advised pupils to work hard at school, saying the future belongs to them and promised to do everything possible to abolish harmful cultural norms for them to achieve inclusive education and end GBV.
The event was spiced up by poems, drama, choirs that carried messages of GBV but promoted girl child and inclusive education.
Justice and Peace of Karonga Diocese is implementing the project with funding from UN Women.
JP reviews HE 4 SHE project with chiefs in KA: 25 girls rescued from the “jaws” of early marriages
By Jordan Simeon-Phiri*
Barely a year after Justice and Peace (JP) of The Diocese of Karonga launched the HE4SHE project in Karonga District, where Paramount Chief Kyungu was chosen the district’s UN Women HE4SHE ambassador, the organization on Thursday engaged group village heads to review progress of the project at a meeting that took place at Karonga Museum Amphitheatre.
Speaking at the event, Traditional Authority (TA) Kilupula, who stood in for Paramount Chief Kyungu, said the district has made strides through various interventions such as formation of HE4SHE clubs in primary schools, abolition of harmful cultural practices such as chithola minga and kupimbira and reinforcement of the existing bylaws to bring to book perpetrators.
“Since last year July, as chiefs we have done a lot to curb gender based violence (GBV) related cases. For example, we have rescued many girls from the jaws of early marriages and have gone back to school.
“We have also abolished harmful cultural practices that fuel GBV related cases like traditional dances that are performed at night and advised parents to send their girls to school and not rush them into early marriages,” Kilupula said.
Kilupula, however, urged JP to carry out massive civic education in the district to sensitize members of the community if the project is to continue bearing fruits.
He further warned traditional leaders and some family members who shield perpetrators of GBV from facing the law, saying the tendency obstructs justice and fuels the malpractice to escalate.
Taking her turn, Principal Group Village Head Mponela from Senior Chief Wasambo hailed the project, saying since July last year, they have rescued 25 primary school girls from early marriages and have since written the 2019 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations.
JP Project Coordinator Moses Mwakisalu said as an organization, they are happy with strides made so far as chiefs have taken a holistic approach to end GBV in Karonga through various interventions.
Six TAs and 60 group village head persons attended the meeting. HE4SHE project is being implemented by JP of Karonga Diocese with funding from UN Women.
*Contributor – 0888872348 / 0999872348
Go to the world and proclaim the Good News: Newly Ordained Priests Exhorted
By Jordan Simeon-Phiri
The Bishop made the remarks on Saturday during the ordination of the new priests of the Diocese at St Joseph the Worker Cathedral in the border district of Karonga.
Drawing his Homily from Mathews 28 v 19 and Isaiah chapter 6 vs1-9, Bishop Mtumbuka likened their call to God’s work to that of Isaiah when he was called by God to be a prophet and the apostles that Jesus Christ sent to the world to preach the Gospel to all nations.
“Priesthood is a call from God Himself and you have received that call to serve the Lord, save the lost souls and preach the Gospel to those who need it and there is no excuse about that.
“Therefore, I urge you to dedicate your time helping Christians grow in spirit, build peace and seek justice when settling family, social and Church disputes. Always be at your duty station so that you are always found when your flock need your spiritual help,” the Bishop said.
Taking his turn, the Diocesan Laity Council (DLC) Chairperson John Mtambo said the ordination of the three priests shows that the Church is growing.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow priests, Father Atupele Kuyoka said they are ready for the mission, saying the priestly vows taken are a clear testimony that they have accepted to be used as God’s messengers
The Bishop has since appointed the three to serve in various parishes and institutions as follows: Father Anthony Mwafulirwa, Curate at St Ignatius Parish in Nthalire; he is also Chaplain for St Ignatius Catholic Secondary School. Father Atupere Kuyokwa, Curate at St Matthias Mulumba Parish in Misuku and Father Joseph Mkinga, Curate at St Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Karonga; he is also Chaplain for Chaminade and St Mary’s Girls secondary schools.
*The author is a Contributor. Contact – 0888872348
Bishop Mtumbuka Ordains Three New Priests: Pictorial Focus
