MALAWI: PMS Appeals for Support to Children with Disabilities

Jailos Mpina, SMM

Following the recent handover ceremony of a house to the elderly at Katengeza Village, Nathenje Catholic parish in Malawi’s Lilongwe Archdiocese through the fundraising activities of the youth and indeed the donation of wheelchairs and other assorted items to children with disabilities, the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) has appealed to people of good will for support to children with disabilities, the elderly and marginalized.

Speaking during visits in villages of TA Chadza, Nathenje in Lilongwe to identify specific needs of children with disabilities, Acting PMS Administrative Assistance in Malawi, Rev. Sister Joyce Moyo on behalf of the National PMS office appealed for support to children with disabilities.

“PMS animates the people of God using different strategies to ensure that they become missionary conscious and active in preaching the Good News through prayer and charity. We have been here at Nathenje Parish assisting the elderly and children with disabilities with contributions from the well-wishers. Children in need are many, hence our coming back to visit them and identify specific needs. We are soon embarking on fundraising activities.”

In an interview with Luntha Television, Benadetta Mustafa, a mother of three, said her son, Misheck aged 17 and is in Standard 4 is no longer going to school and even to church despite his passion for studies and prayer because his wheelchair is beyond repair.

“When Misheck was born, I was depressed. Later I took courage and said I will not abandon him. I have now three children. Misheck would easily go to church and school mingling with his friends. Now that the wheelchair is damaged, he has stopped going to church and to school. And he did not write exams.” She narrated with some tears in her eyes.

The father of Misheck who is a bicycle taxi operator in the area said he cannot manage to raise money to purchase a wheel chair, thanks to SOS Children’s Village Malawi who donated a wheel chair some years ago.

The Deputy Head teacher of Kachitsa Primary School, Elia Chikwekwe, corroborated the same, appealing to well-wishers to support children with disabilities with wheelchairs, class materials clothing and other basic necessities.

“I am appealing to people of good will to support Misheck with a wheelchairs. He crawls from home to school because his wheelchair is beyond repair. We have many children with disabilities who are at home, some hidden by their parents. Let us support them even in the little we have.”

The PMS team led by the Parish Priest of Nathenje Parish, Fr. Steven Chikhasu visited villages in Traditional Authority (TA) Chadza to meet parents and children with disabilities in the area to identify specific needs before they embark on fundraising activities for the cause.

“There are many children with disabilities in this parish, however, based on my observation many parents hide these children in their houses. This is very bad. We have heard here from Misheck and Cosmas about them aspiring to become a driver and a doctor respectively when they grow up. Let us come out and respond to Jesus’ call in caring for the marginalized, the hungry and most abandoned,” Pleaded Fr. Chikhasu.