Parents in the country have been urged to contain the issue of early marriages as one way of reducing the alarming rate of orphans in the country.

Madam Mary Chilima, the spouse to Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, was speaking after visiting Ndodani Orphan Care in Lilongwe on Mother’s Day.

The orphan care centre is in the area of Traditional Authority Kabudula in Lilongwe.

Speaking during the function, Madam Chilima said she came to mobilise support for the founder of the organisation, Temwanani Chilenga, a teacher of Chambu Primary school in Lilongwe saying she is doing a great job of taking care of the orphans.

Madam Chilima also urged parents to take a leading role in sending their children to school to save them from falling into the trap of early marriages.

She said through her organisation, ‘Children First’, she is committed to empowering parents who have children with disabilities so that they ably help their families.

“I was inspired with her story, we linked up on Facebook, just imagine a primary school teacher using her salary to assist the needy this is worth emulating,” Chilima said.

On her part, Temwanani Chilenga hailed Madam Chilima for reaching out to the needy in the area. She said it is encouraging to note that some people acknowledge her efforts.

” I am so excited to have Madam Chilima here this is so encouraging, to assist people one doesn’t require more money. With the little you have you can change someone’s life,” Chilenga said.

During the visit, Madam Chilima brought blankets and other assorted items. Ndodani Orphan Care Centre was established in 2018 to assist the needy in the area of Traditional Authority Kabudula in Lilongwe.