President Lazarus Chakwera has said government through the Presidential Charity Initiative is committed to support needy students in public universities and the underprivileged in the country.
Speaking during a cheque presentation ceremony to needy students from five public universities on Tuesday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, Chakwera emphasized that government will ensure that no child is left behind due to lack of support in the education sector, saying children are the future leaders of Malawi.
“The goal of the Presidential Charity Initiative is to uplift students who cannot pay for their education on their own in public universities by providing them with upkeep allowances and tuition fees and reconstruction of infrastructures affected by Cyclone Freddy in 2023 such as Mpatsa primary school in Nsanje.
According to Chakwera, supporting needy students and the underprivileged is one way of achieving Malawi 2063 vision through human capital development.
In his remarks chairperson for presidential charity initiative, Vizenge Kumwenda said K421 million was raised during a golf tournament which was held in October 2023 and the money has been shared by public universities, each receiving MK37.5 million and MK225 million for the reconstruction of Mpatsa primary school.
Representative for needy students in public universities, Japhet Kapalepale expressed gratitude to government for its commitment in supporting the needy and underprivileged, saying this will go a long way in addressing the challenges students face when pursuing their studies.
“This initiative provides hope to those who cannot afford to pay tuition fees alone and the money will help to support them in different ways such as accommodation and other basic needs”, he said.
Kapalepale assured the president that as students they will be responsible and ensure that the money meets its intended purpose.
Director of Preparedness and Response for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), reverend Charles Chimphepo thanked the president’s efforts in managing disaster in the country, saying so far Malawi is doing well in recovering from the effects of Cyclone Freddy. He also appealed to all well-wishers to support Malawi in dealing with disasters.
The presidential charity initiative was launched in 2022 and this year’s golf tournament event is expected to take place on October 12 at Limbe country club in Blantyre with a target to raise over MK500 million.
