Justice and Peace Desk Granted Two New VAWG Projects
By Vincent Bwinga (Justice and Peace)
The Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Karonga has, on 16th September, 2019, received a grant to implement two Tithetse Nkhanza Violence Against Women and Girls projects known as Actions to Transform Social Norms and Support for VAWG Survivors in Karonga District.
Speaking during post award meeting in Lilongwe, Tithetse Nkhanza Team Leader Grace Mawera has confirmed that the Justice and Peace Desk along four other partners have been granted the 2 projects to implement as pilot projects for three years and six months with an opportunity for a further three-year extension.
Commenting on the implementation of the projects, Mawera says the first three-year period is for learning and adaptation and therefore requested all partners to document and demonstrate evidence in the implementation; propose best practices to the program and ensure transparency and accountability in managing finances for the project.
On issues of safeguarding the rights of beneficiaries, the Team Leader urged all organization staff members to avoid sexual advances towards beneficiaries.
“The projects will be in contact with school girls, boys and women. Therefore, we need to do no harm to any beneficiary. We need to be survivor centered in carrying out our activities,” she said.
Actions to Transform Social Norms Project focuses on reduction of prevalence of violence against women and girls and progress towards the full realization of women and children’s human rights. The project is being implemented using Champion of Change Model in seven identified primary schools and one secondary school in the area of Traditional Authority Kilupula.
On this model, the project engages adolescent girls and boys in schools and their communities to promote positive changes in gender attitudes and behaviours. It creates healthy relationships among adolescents through single-sex safe spaces for boys and for girls separately. There are also single-sex safe spaces for parents. Further, the model promotes engagement and dialogue between various stakeholders.
Support for VAWG Survivors Project aims at improving support for VAWG survivors to access justice and related support services. The project is being implemented in following T/As; Kyungu, Wasambo, Kilupula and Mwakaboko using Survivor Support Fund Strategy.
Karonga Women Forum is a lead structure at district level directly providing financial support to help survivors access services required to address the issues at hand. Karonga Women’s Forum will popularize SSF and network with trained accompaniers at T/A level.
Tithetse Nkhanza is a six-year program funded by Department for International Development (DfID) through the consortium of Coffey International, which is the lead organization, Plan Malawi and SS Direct.
Kaseye Girls Secondary School Honours Teachers and Support Staff
By Chimwemwe Chisi
Teachers and the support staff at Kaseye Girls Secondary School have been given a pat on their backs by the institution’s Board of Governors during award presentation ceremony held last week in Chitipa District to acknowledge their hard work.
This follows the release of 2019 Malawi School Certificate of Education Examination results which has seen the school registering 99.8% pass rate, calling for the honour of teachers and support staff for their gallant effort injected on the institution to yield standard results.
The function was graced by the representative of the Board, representative of Primary Education Advisor (PEA) and other stakeholders for the school.
Commenting on the matter, one of the teachers, Thokozani Mphande, an English teacher, applauded the initiative made by the Board; saying, its one way of encouraging teachers to work extra hard in delivering to the students for best results.
“I am happy and pleased with this initiative, since its one way of motivating us to work extra hard by instilling hard working spirit in every teacher so that next time they receive more after producing many distinctions,” said Mphande.
Kaseye Girls is among the best performing schools in the just released MSCE results. The awards came in two categories of all Form 4 teachers with best results in particular subjects and staff members, respectively.
The initiative is expected to trigger drastic delivery of education services at the institution as it has been deemed as a great source of motivation.
Taking her part, the Headmistress for Kaseye Girls Secondary School Sister Clementine Phiri applauded the teachers and the support staff for the job well done, saying their efforts are not lightly perceived.
“I am glad today to be part of this get together because we all worked to get such points and I believe we will produce 100% pass rate this academic year,” says Sister Phiri.
She discouraged teachers from being complacent, but to continue working hard for excellent results and thus outshine other schools. “Today we celebrate our victory that we have achieved good results, but then we should not relax because we have Chaminade Boys Secondary School which also performs better, let us work harder and maintain our excellence,” she articulated.
The Vicar General Monitors Diocesan Projects in Chitipa
By Deodatus Muriya
The Vicar General of the Diocese of Karonga Mons Denis Chitete has conducted a monitoring tour of some development projects being implemented by the Social Development arm, Caritas Commission, of the Diocese in the Chitipa District. The monitoring has taken place from 17th to 18th October, 2019.
During the tour, the Vicar General has monitored activities being implemented by the Justice and Peace Desk in the area of Traditional Authority Mwenemisuku, namely; Safeguarding the Rights of Women and Children, Citizen Action in Local Governance Accountability (CALGA), and Promotion of High Quality, Accountable and Responsive Public Health Service Delivery.
The Vicar General has expressed gratitude for the work being done by the Justice and Peace Desk in Misuku. He has been impressed with the way the Justice and Peace Committee of the area is well rooted in the community engaging with various stakeholders to influence change.
He has also expressed satisfaction with the way in which the committee is integrated into the Church structures at all levels. He has since urged the Justice and Peace Desk volunteers and Radio Listening Clubs to fully utilize Tuntufye FM Radio as it is a powerful advocacy tool.
During the tour, Monsignor Chitete interacted with CCJP Volunteers, Radio Listening Clubs, and ADC Members, Misuku Health Management Committee, Community Action Groups (CAGs), Citizen Journalists (CJs) who are stakeholders under the OSISA funded Health Governance Project; local governance accountability project (CALGA) funded by Irish Aid through Danish Church Aid and Safeguarding the Rights of Women and Children project funded by Misereor.
During the same tour, the Vicar General has had time to interact with farmers’ group Kapenda, under Traditional Authority Kameme, where the Integrated Rural Development Project set up irrigation demonstration plot on use of sustainable agricultural practices in crop production and soil improvement.
The technologies being promoted are; the use of compost and liquid manure, use of leguminous crops for interplanting, use of crop mulching to improve soil fertility and practicing crop rotation for soil improvement and pest and disease control.
Farmers visited are satisfied with the technologies as one way of improving crop production and income diversification. The irrigation demo plots act as a school for learning and farmers are encouraged to implement the technologies of their choice in their respective fields.
The Vicar General has urged the farmers to practice what they learn in their own fields in order to achieve the aim of the demonstration plots. The Vicar General has also encouraged members to continue working on team building activities such as Village Saving and Loans (VSLs).
While in Kapenda, the Vicar General has also interacted with young people who are beneficiaries of the vocational skills development project, some of whom are already earning income using the skills they acquired like carpentry, bricklaying and tailoring.
Diocese of Karonga Launches Catholic Scout Organisation
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga has officially launched Catholic Scout Organization of the Diocese during Prayers for Peace, Unity and Reconciliation at St Joseph the worker Cathedral on Saturday.
According the Bishop, the Catholic Scout targets young people in the Diocese, and their main activities are charity work, promoting peace within the Church and the communities, and serving as ushers during Diocesan events to make sure that there is order.
The Scout Organisation of the Diocese has been holding meetings and engaging similar organisations both at national and international levels. But the launch follows the induction of the members of the organisation which took place in the Archdiocese of Mbeya in Tanzania.
The pioneer members of the group recently visited Tanzania where they underwent a Preliminary Training Course in Scouts. They were trained by the Chaplain of Catholic Scouts in Mbeya Archdiocese and also the Regional Commissioner for Tanzania Scout Association.
On their arrival in Mbeya, the Scout leaders from Karonga were welcomed by Archbishop Gervas Nyaisonga, who also delivered some lessons focusing on effective management of Scout organization and other pertinent topics.
In His remarks, Archbishop Nyaisonga hailed the Bishop of the Diocese of Karonga, Right Reverent Martin Mtumbuka, for initiating the introduction of the group in the Diocese and for letting them visit Mbeya.
The group was accompanied by their Chaplain, Father Joseph Mkinga, who expressed a word of gratitude to Archbishop Nyaisonga for availing himself and orienting them in what has to be done for Catholic Scout Organisations to achieve their goals, objectives, management skills and policies.
The Catholic Scout Organisation has started working in two parishes, namely St Joseph the Worker Cathedral and St Mary’s Parish and will embark on systematic expansion which will see them establishing the grouping at St Anne’s, St Steven’s, St John Paul II and St Michael’s parishes.
The grouping is open to all Catholic youth from the age of 18.
Justice and Peace Desk Takes Health Sector Expenditure Reports to Communities
By Obert Mkandawire*
To strengthen citizen participation in health decision making processes at local level, the Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Karonga facilitated the dissemination of 2018/19 Chitipa District health sector expenditure report to communities in the areas of traditional authorities Mwenemisuku, Mwenewenya and Nthalire from 16 to 18 October, 2019.
During the meetings, community members interfaced with district council and health management team officials responsible for planning and administration namely, Director of Planning and Development (DPD), Tamanya Harawa; DIP Coordinator, Willy Kanyika and Chitipa District Health Services Administrator, Victor Chithabwa.
During the meetings, the DPD outlined various funds that the council receives while Willy Kanyika and Victor Chithabwa from Chitipa District Health Office explained the expenditure to the people.
In Misuku, community members complained that the health facility has taken long without being maintained; with the Labour Ward being the worst affected. The Health Service Administrator assured the gathering that the Labour Ward will be renovated soon.
In Nthalire, community members raised concerns on the delays in elevating Nthalire Health Centre to Rural Hospital. They claimed the elevation of the health facility will ensure that critical surgical operations are done as quickly as possible without referring them to Chitipa which is about 125 kilometres away.
In his response, the DPD stated that the council intends to place some officers at Nthalire, who would mirror the main officers at Chitipa District Hospital to ensure effective delivery of public health services.
Taking their turn, the members of the District Health Management Team present revealed that Press Trust has already assessed capacity of Nthalire Health Centre and will construct extra buildings to ensure expansion of the facility.
The three communities were unanimous in asking government to address the issue of drug stock out, which is being worsened by Tanzanians and Zambians who seek medical attention in their facilities. The Administrator urged the community to report to him any cases of abuse of the ambulance and cases of drug pilferage after a concern from Wenya Community.
The DPD revealed that Misuku and Nthalire have not been included in the current Constituency Water Infrastructure Fund respectively even after some processes had been initiated already including choosing of committees and sending of plans to the council. The community also lamented lack of consultation by their Members of Parliament on Water Infrastructure Projects.
The community appreciated the role Justice and Peace Desk has played in bringing duty bearers to interface with them.
This is an initiative under the, “Promotion of high quality, accountable and responsive public health service” project being implemented by the Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Karonga with financial support from Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA).
*The author is Project Officer for Osisa Health Governance Project
Chitipa District Welcomes Women’s and Girls’ Rights Safeguarding Project
By: Moses Mwakisalu
Following the technical appraisal of the “Safeguarding the Rights of Women, Children and other vulnerable groups in the Diocese of Karonga” project, by the District Executive Committee of Chitipa District on October 18, the Justice and Peace Desk of the Diocese of Karonga has started implementing activities under the project.
As a standard practice, the Justice and Peace Desk had to seek the direction of the District Executive Committee, which is the highest district level committee of technocrats comprising of directors of government sectors and leading non-governmental organisations. DEC members are key stakeholders to the implementation and success of the project.
This three-year project builds on the “Promotion for the Enjoyment of Women and Children Rights” project which phased out in May 2019. To effectively measure impact on the ground for possible scaling up, the project will focus on selected groups of villages in four parishes of St. Mathias (Misuku), St. John Paul II (Kapoka), St. Michaels (Chitipa but focus is in Kameme) and Chisankhwa Parish in Ulambiya Songwe. Thus only 96 villages will be directly reached with project intervention. To ensure sustainability of the project, traditional leaders and their spouses will be taken as agents of change in their localities.
Reacting to project presentation by Justice and Peace Desk, Chitipa DEC members promised to collaborate with the project implementation team for the benefit of Chitipa Community.
“Justice and Peace Desk is a good developing partner in the promotion of justice and human rights in the district. Cases of abuse and human rights violation, among vulnerable groups, do not spare any area in the district. I therefore suggest that future interventions of this sort have to reach Nthalire and Wenya as well,” said Magistrate Ngosi.
In the selection of households, those that will directly benefit from the project, DEC advised Justice and Peace Desk to consider women headed and child headed families. DEC further advised the Desk to work with relevant stakeholders or line sectors like social welfare.
The project inception meeting with DEC members was held at St. Kizito Conference Hall in Chitipa District. The goal of the project is to ensure that “the rights of rural women, children and other vulnerable groups in Chitipa District have been self-guarded”. Misereor Germany is funding the project.
Bishop Mtumbuka Calls for Justice if Peace Is to Prevail
By Jordan Simeon-Phiri
Correspondent
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga has called upon all people in the country to rise above party politics when discharging their duties in a just manner if peace is to prevail in the country, saying there cannot be peace in a country where there is no justice.
Bishop Mtumbuka made these remarks on Friday at St. Mary’s Hall in Karonga District at a stakeholders’ peace conference he held aimed at finding lasting solutions to political tension in Karonga and Chitipa.
The meeting comes on the sidelines of waves of continued demonstrations that have seen the angry demonstrators setting ablaze the District Commissioner’s office and looting a lot of public property.
“I would not blame the president for all this political turmoil that is unfolding in the country. People elected Members of Parliament who are supposed to be on the ground controlling situations when they turn ugly.
“Surprisingly, they are nowhere to be seen. This is why people are complaining 100 percent, people are angry because there is too much corruption, segregation, social injustice and with that, peace cannot prevail,” the Bishop said.
The Bishop further added that if there is rampant impunity, if there is rampant corruption, segregation and marginalization in the country, there can be no peace and that country is built on the sand and it can collapse.
Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief Kyungu, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kalonga hailed the Bishop for the meeting that brought together critical players in the district who can bring peace and build the district.
Taking his turn, one of the youths from Lupembe, Davie Kittalo said there is need for the county’s leadership to create job opportunities for the youths as many young people are jobless.
“If the youths were given jobs, they would be busy and they would not have time to engage into actions that are retrogressive in nature,” Kittalo said.
Reverend Simeon Banda of Livingstonia Synod of Karonga CCAP heaped the blame on the county’s leadership, saying since the political tension started escalating, the country’s President has been quite.
“During Pharaoh’s reign, people lost livestock, lives and property because of his stubbornness. It is therefore, imperative for the President (Arthur Peter Mutharika) to come out in the open and condemn the barbaric acts perpetrated by some party zealots and start preaching peace,” Reverend Banda said.
The meeting drew together chiefs, political party representatives, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), civil society organizations (CSOs), youths, the clergy and the police.
Karonga Diocese Health Facilities to Have a Harmonised HR Policy
By Veronica Kimangira
A three-day conference aimed at reviewing the Human Resource Policy, which will be used by all health facilities under the Diocese of Karonga is underway at Zutu House in Karonga. The Health Desk of the Diocese, with the help of the Human Resource Officer, is facilitating the review process.
Participants to the conference have been drawn from all five health facilities, under the proprietorship of the Diocese, namely; Atupele, St. Anne’s and Kaseye community hospitals, St. Clara Health Centre and Hope Clinic.
The policy review exercise seeks to replace the HR Policy which has been in force for quite some time and introduced a harmonized policy covering all health facilities under the Diocese. The revised policy will ensure compliance with emerging legislations and employment contracts.
The policy will also look at areas critical to the Healing Ministry of the Diocese and ensuring professionalism and efficiency in service delivery apart from clarifying expectation of performance and behavior and creating a healthy work place culture. The reviewed policy will be presented to the Caritas Board for approval before it is put into practice by individual facilities.
A+ Project Improving Lives of Marginalised Communities in Rumphi North
By Deodatus Muriya*
Vicar General of the Diocese of Karonga, Monsignor Denis Chitete, is impressed with the progress being made by A-Plus Project which the Development Desk (CADECOM) of the Diocese is implementing in Rumphi North.
The Vicar General made this expression during field monitoring visits to some of the project implementation sites under Phoka VDC. During the tour, the Vicar General Visited Dowowo Phoka Irrigation Scheme, appreciated progress on sanitation activities, village savings and loans and also village natural resource regeneration site.
Speaking during the visit, Principal GVH Nanania expressed a work of gratitude to the Diocese of Karonga for the support being rendered to ensure that people in his area are food secure.
In his remarks, Project Coordinator, Mr Martin Manda, says the communities the project is working with are greatly disadvantaged by poverty which is aggravated by limited access to basic services like water supply, health, education, electricity, hygiene and sanitation to name a few.
He further says that due to gender bias, the disadvantages of poverty including poor health, lack of economic opportunity, diminished social status and violence fall disproportionately on women and children, who are the most marginalized.
The Development Desk is implementing this project with financial support from Caritas Australia, through the National Office (Episcopal Conference of Malawi). Though communities have numerous disadvantages, A+ Project builds on the advantages that the people already have. It begins from the strengths the communities already have. This is called strength based approach. The aim of the project is to support marginal communities and enhance their quality of life by adopting indigenous approaches to improved food security, and access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.
*Deodatus Muriya is Desk Officer for Monitoring and Evaluation
‘Parishes Need to Be Closer to the People,’ Bishop Mtumbuka
By Benedict Kauteka*
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga says it is his wish that Parishes should be closer to people; where priests can easily reach out to and serve them better.
Bishop Mtumbuka has said this on Wednesday 16, October at Nyungwe where he held consultative meeting with the church leaders, from Ngala and Wovwe zones under St. Anne’s Parish, on the proper site for constructing a new parish.
Bishop further says it is good for priests to know the families they are serving right from their homes to appreciate their living conditions.
He further encourages church leaders to keep on taking care of priests by among other things providing them with food, proper to a self-reliant and self-propagating church.
In order to make this happen a committee of seven comprising of leaders from both zones has been established to work on the issue of land where the parish will be located. The Bishop suggests that the place should not be far from Nyungwe because it is centrally located.
This will be the second parish to come out of St Anne’s after the establishment of St Francis De Sales (Livingstonia) Parish.
Ngara and Wovwe zones have a combined population of about 10,042 christans and a total of 32 prayer centers. At the moment, St Anne’s parish has a total of 51 prayer centers and stretches from Ndembwera to Sangilo and from Zgewa to Chisumbu in Karonga District.
*Benedict Kauteka is Methodology Advisor for St Anne’s Parish