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Friday, December 4, 2009
The big test that was May, 19 2009
Electoral body urges no panic over electoral calendar
By Richard Chirombo
The Electoral Commission (EC) has dispelled fears Malawi could miss
out on the May 19, 2009 Parliamentary and Presidential elections date
in the wake of delays to finish the Voters’ Roll verification process
in good time.
With work on the roll barely half-way done, the verification process
is far from being completed- a development that has prompted the EC to
cast its net wide in search of personnel, culminating into
advertisement messages for prospective workers to come forth. It is
intimated that the process could take five days, with prospects for
extension.
EC Spokesperson, Fegus Lipenga, said the development should not scare
voters, as everything was still under control.
“Nothing has changed, in terms of the dates for the elections. In
fact, that is what we are working towards in all our efforts and
preparation. We strongly believe that we will finish the verification
process in good time,” said Lipenga.
Lipenga said everything was going according to plan, though
developments enveloping the issue of voters’ verification could not
have been foreseen. All the same, there was no need to press the panic
baton, he said.
Some political parties have expressed concern over delays to finish
off with the verification process, saying that could affect timing of
the elections.
50-50 gender campaign monitoring, evaluation starts in two weeks’ time
By Richard Chirombo
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, in collaboration with
Civil Society Organizations that were taking part in a project aimed
at ensuring that, at least, half of parliamentary sits after the May
19, 2009 elections are amassed by women (50-50 campaign), have
announced that monitoring and evaluation (M and e) of the campaign
process commences in two weeks’ time.
The campaign was initiated following perceived continued suppression
on Malawian women, especially leadership positions that could
influence over-all national development programmes. The Malawian woman
is said to be disadvantaged by traditional, cultural stereotyping,
poverty and high levels of illiteracy, challenges that have cast women
to the far end of most national processes despite their constituting
over half of the country’s population (52 per cent).
Linley Kamtengeni, the Ministry’s expert on Women, Girls, HIV and
AIDS, said in an exclusive interview in Blantyre M and E was crucial
to successful implementation of future women empowerment projects- a
requisite process if Malawi was to meet Southern African Development
Community and other international protocols on gender and female
empowerment.
She defended the idea to sponsor only women when gender encompassed
both the sexes (male and female), saying while both men and women
faced a fair share of challenges, it were the women who were more
disadvantaged hence the campaign to help them attain positions of
influence in society.
“We can say so far, so good. We have seen most women coming out of
their cocoons to challenge men for political positions, but we can not
fairly say how deep we have gone in up-rooting misconceptions about
women without monitoring and evaluation. That is why we are starting
the process in two weeks’ time,” said Kamtengeni.
The Non-Governmental Organizations Gender Support Network (NGO-GCN), a
network of Malawian civil society organizations that was coordinating
the campaign, confirmed the development. NGO-GCN’s Coordinator, Eunice
Chamgomo, said the process, to start in two weeks time, would help
implementers of the 50-50 campaign to plan forward because campaigning
for women empowerment was an on-going process.
Chamgomo said, while the process could not be of immediate benefits to
women contesting in the May 19, 2009 parliamentary and presidential
elections (due to the time factor to the polls), it could help
Malawians gauge where they could have done better and where they did
better.
“This is a very importance process for us. We are committed to women
empowerment, especially in electoral processes, that we are leaving no
stone unturned. We want to help our women to stand up for their rights
and be counted,” said Chamgomo.
By Richard Chirombo
The Electoral Commission (EC) has dispelled fears Malawi could miss
out on the May 19, 2009 Parliamentary and Presidential elections date
in the wake of delays to finish the Voters’ Roll verification process
in good time.
With work on the roll barely half-way done, the verification process
is far from being completed- a development that has prompted the EC to
cast its net wide in search of personnel, culminating into
advertisement messages for prospective workers to come forth. It is
intimated that the process could take five days, with prospects for
extension.
EC Spokesperson, Fegus Lipenga, said the development should not scare
voters, as everything was still under control.
“Nothing has changed, in terms of the dates for the elections. In
fact, that is what we are working towards in all our efforts and
preparation. We strongly believe that we will finish the verification
process in good time,” said Lipenga.
Lipenga said everything was going according to plan, though
developments enveloping the issue of voters’ verification could not
have been foreseen. All the same, there was no need to press the panic
baton, he said.
Some political parties have expressed concern over delays to finish
off with the verification process, saying that could affect timing of
the elections.
50-50 gender campaign monitoring, evaluation starts in two weeks’ time
By Richard Chirombo
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, in collaboration with
Civil Society Organizations that were taking part in a project aimed
at ensuring that, at least, half of parliamentary sits after the May
19, 2009 elections are amassed by women (50-50 campaign), have
announced that monitoring and evaluation (M and e) of the campaign
process commences in two weeks’ time.
The campaign was initiated following perceived continued suppression
on Malawian women, especially leadership positions that could
influence over-all national development programmes. The Malawian woman
is said to be disadvantaged by traditional, cultural stereotyping,
poverty and high levels of illiteracy, challenges that have cast women
to the far end of most national processes despite their constituting
over half of the country’s population (52 per cent).
Linley Kamtengeni, the Ministry’s expert on Women, Girls, HIV and
AIDS, said in an exclusive interview in Blantyre M and E was crucial
to successful implementation of future women empowerment projects- a
requisite process if Malawi was to meet Southern African Development
Community and other international protocols on gender and female
empowerment.
She defended the idea to sponsor only women when gender encompassed
both the sexes (male and female), saying while both men and women
faced a fair share of challenges, it were the women who were more
disadvantaged hence the campaign to help them attain positions of
influence in society.
“We can say so far, so good. We have seen most women coming out of
their cocoons to challenge men for political positions, but we can not
fairly say how deep we have gone in up-rooting misconceptions about
women without monitoring and evaluation. That is why we are starting
the process in two weeks’ time,” said Kamtengeni.
The Non-Governmental Organizations Gender Support Network (NGO-GCN), a
network of Malawian civil society organizations that was coordinating
the campaign, confirmed the development. NGO-GCN’s Coordinator, Eunice
Chamgomo, said the process, to start in two weeks time, would help
implementers of the 50-50 campaign to plan forward because campaigning
for women empowerment was an on-going process.
Chamgomo said, while the process could not be of immediate benefits to
women contesting in the May 19, 2009 parliamentary and presidential
elections (due to the time factor to the polls), it could help
Malawians gauge where they could have done better and where they did
better.
“This is a very importance process for us. We are committed to women
empowerment, especially in electoral processes, that we are leaving no
stone unturned. We want to help our women to stand up for their rights
and be counted,” said Chamgomo.
Gaming still viewed negatively despite clean sheet
The Malawi Gaming Board (MGB) has bemoaned continued negative public perceptions about gaming in the country, saying contrary to such perceptions Malawi has been one of the few Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (Graf) members to maintain a clean sheet since 1996.
MGB’s Gaming Inspector, Duncan Gondwa, attributed the zero-crime record in response to a questionnaire to the enactment of the Malawi Gaming Act in 1996 to regulate and control all forms of gaming in the country, and leading to the MGB’s establishment.
Gondwa said perceptions of gaming as “evil and a source of crime” could have been true prior to 1996, when gaming activities in form of slot machines and were not regulated. It took the efforts of the Department of Tourism, Parks and Wildlife to ensure standard regulations for the sector were put in place.
“Generally, the public has negative perceptions of gaming, as they consider it as evil and a source of crime, which is not correct. That is why the Gaming Board was established to regulate and sensitize the public on these issues so that it should be conducted in a free manner. No one has been prosecuted for crime-gaming in Malawi since it does not exist (in the country),” said Gondwa.
He defended the assertions that crime-gaming did not exist in the country, saying he was so sure because of the measures put in place such as effective monitoring mechanisms through periodic and surprise visits, sensitization campaigns, and strict regulation
He said gaming could be one way of providing entertainment and thus generating business opportunities, as well as promoting tourism in a number of ways and, therefore, acting as a foreign exchange earner.
On prospects for the sector, the Gaming Instructor said the market was growing as compared to the years 1996 and 2002, as there were very few gaming sites. But due to increased public awareness, opening of more gaming establishments and increased regulation, which has instilled discipline to operators, the sector was growing steadily.
The Board, however, acknowledged that gaming could be addictive. He added that such cases have so far been prevented through civic education, promotion of responsible gaming to stakeholders and enforcement of internal controls.
“Cases of gaming addiction have not been registered in Malawi (either), and that is because of the three reasons. The Board has responsibility to promote responsible gaming while marketing of the game was the responsibility of the operators,” he said.
Gondwa hoped that establishment of modern gaming establishments could make the game even more attractive to Malawian patrons. The country has less than ten gaming enterprises.
MGB’s Gaming Inspector, Duncan Gondwa, attributed the zero-crime record in response to a questionnaire to the enactment of the Malawi Gaming Act in 1996 to regulate and control all forms of gaming in the country, and leading to the MGB’s establishment.
Gondwa said perceptions of gaming as “evil and a source of crime” could have been true prior to 1996, when gaming activities in form of slot machines and were not regulated. It took the efforts of the Department of Tourism, Parks and Wildlife to ensure standard regulations for the sector were put in place.
“Generally, the public has negative perceptions of gaming, as they consider it as evil and a source of crime, which is not correct. That is why the Gaming Board was established to regulate and sensitize the public on these issues so that it should be conducted in a free manner. No one has been prosecuted for crime-gaming in Malawi since it does not exist (in the country),” said Gondwa.
He defended the assertions that crime-gaming did not exist in the country, saying he was so sure because of the measures put in place such as effective monitoring mechanisms through periodic and surprise visits, sensitization campaigns, and strict regulation
He said gaming could be one way of providing entertainment and thus generating business opportunities, as well as promoting tourism in a number of ways and, therefore, acting as a foreign exchange earner.
On prospects for the sector, the Gaming Instructor said the market was growing as compared to the years 1996 and 2002, as there were very few gaming sites. But due to increased public awareness, opening of more gaming establishments and increased regulation, which has instilled discipline to operators, the sector was growing steadily.
The Board, however, acknowledged that gaming could be addictive. He added that such cases have so far been prevented through civic education, promotion of responsible gaming to stakeholders and enforcement of internal controls.
“Cases of gaming addiction have not been registered in Malawi (either), and that is because of the three reasons. The Board has responsibility to promote responsible gaming while marketing of the game was the responsibility of the operators,” he said.
Gondwa hoped that establishment of modern gaming establishments could make the game even more attractive to Malawian patrons. The country has less than ten gaming enterprises.
Lest we forget, Barack Obama came to Africa in 2008
http://www.america.gov/obama_ghana.html?gclid=CMiG5-G-vJ4CFcx25QodNG2_ow
Malawi government and tourism agencies
http://www.worldtourismdirectory.com/directory/africa/malawi/category/government_tourism_agencies/t4/ministry_of_tourism/index.html
One Sight reaches out to Fresh Air Fund
This past summer, OneSight reached out to The Fresh Air Fund and helped over 3,000 NYC children with a traveling optical clinic. OneSight was able to screen all Fresh Air campers and if necessary, provide free glasses to anyone who needed them. I thought that this would be an issue you and the readers of Zachimalawi would care about. I was hoping you could post a mention to help this worthy cause. I've created a social media microsite which explains everything:
http://freshairvision.org
By supporting The Fresh Air Fund we are able to partner with organizations like OneSight to provide free eye exams and eyewear to the children who need them each year.
http://freshairvision.org
By supporting The Fresh Air Fund we are able to partner with organizations like OneSight to provide free eye exams and eyewear to the children who need them each year.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Blantyre HIV prevalence at 12%
The rate of HIV infections in Blantyre have stalled for the past two years, stagnating at 12 per cent, down from 15 per cent six years ago.
This was confirmed by Blantyre City Assembly HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator Lithiar Ngulube on December 1, as Malawi joined the rest of the world in commemorating World AIDS Day.
This was confirmed by Blantyre City Assembly HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator Lithiar Ngulube on December 1, as Malawi joined the rest of the world in commemorating World AIDS Day.
Mentors Feedback on abstract writing
1. Yes, the tack chosen to this specific abstract is correctly?
2. Yes, the title does reflect on the content of the abstract, but I would work further on the abstract so that it can eliminate acronyms, such as JLHIV and instead add the full sentence as “Journalists Living with HIV/AIDS” (JLHIV)
3. Somewhat. I recommend that further exploration be made on the gaps and success of the project. At the same time the next steps need a lot of revision. I would look at the analysis and assessment of the project and how these recommendation from the qualitative work will be used to increase to end HIV/AIDS based stigma and discrimination.
4. The abstract has wonderful ideas but further work needs to be looked at allowing for the ideas and methodology of the abstract can have coherence. I’d start out by looking at the further policy formulation and impact findings that came out of the project.
5. No, each section does not provide relevant information. Specifically section “NEXT STEPS”. There’s know indication of how the project will be used, how finding from the project will be used to strengthen advocacy and project barriers.
Language, Grammar:
1. Yes, correct terminology is used within the abstract. I would really be careful using acronyms. Acronyms are wonderful but should not be used as a stand still.
2. Further work and attention should be used to assist in spelling. My recommendation is to go over spelling with a colleague, which may assist in catching any spelling errors which exist.
3. Yes, the language is concise and clear.
4. The abstract is well-written and easy to follow. I would only recommend that further work be made on section next steps.
Scientific Design: Background:
1. I find there the abstract show weak objectives, which leaves the me wondering what the objective of the project was, its impact and how the finding will be used.
2. Yes, the research design is sound but needs further work. The only thing shown with the abstract are the questions from submitter.
Materials and Methods:
1. Yes, the methodology used within the study is appropriate.
2. I don’t believe that explanation was provided on the reason as to why the author used the method and its purpose. The abstract does indicate the type of methods used and how, but not as to why this specific method was selected.
3. Yes, the data analysis and interpretation is appropriate. I’d clarify further on findings from the data analysis as case examples.
Results/Conclusions:
1. There is failure to provide an appropriate conclusion and explanation to the conclusion.
2. The study touch on a issues and dimensions which allow of reduction of stigma and lessons learnt. The project lack policy innovation. If changes were made and further information was provided as indicated above in many of the recommendations I believe that new innovation findings could be identified.
3. Yes, the abstract does provide new insights.
4. No, the results are not analyzed in a broader context. Further work needs to be made which provide results in the abstract derived from the findings made.
5. Yes, the future implications of the study are discussed. However, there is a lack on the type of policy changes and/or interventions need to be assessed and implemented to look at those future implications.
2. Yes, the title does reflect on the content of the abstract, but I would work further on the abstract so that it can eliminate acronyms, such as JLHIV and instead add the full sentence as “Journalists Living with HIV/AIDS” (JLHIV)
3. Somewhat. I recommend that further exploration be made on the gaps and success of the project. At the same time the next steps need a lot of revision. I would look at the analysis and assessment of the project and how these recommendation from the qualitative work will be used to increase to end HIV/AIDS based stigma and discrimination.
4. The abstract has wonderful ideas but further work needs to be looked at allowing for the ideas and methodology of the abstract can have coherence. I’d start out by looking at the further policy formulation and impact findings that came out of the project.
5. No, each section does not provide relevant information. Specifically section “NEXT STEPS”. There’s know indication of how the project will be used, how finding from the project will be used to strengthen advocacy and project barriers.
Language, Grammar:
1. Yes, correct terminology is used within the abstract. I would really be careful using acronyms. Acronyms are wonderful but should not be used as a stand still.
2. Further work and attention should be used to assist in spelling. My recommendation is to go over spelling with a colleague, which may assist in catching any spelling errors which exist.
3. Yes, the language is concise and clear.
4. The abstract is well-written and easy to follow. I would only recommend that further work be made on section next steps.
Scientific Design: Background:
1. I find there the abstract show weak objectives, which leaves the me wondering what the objective of the project was, its impact and how the finding will be used.
2. Yes, the research design is sound but needs further work. The only thing shown with the abstract are the questions from submitter.
Materials and Methods:
1. Yes, the methodology used within the study is appropriate.
2. I don’t believe that explanation was provided on the reason as to why the author used the method and its purpose. The abstract does indicate the type of methods used and how, but not as to why this specific method was selected.
3. Yes, the data analysis and interpretation is appropriate. I’d clarify further on findings from the data analysis as case examples.
Results/Conclusions:
1. There is failure to provide an appropriate conclusion and explanation to the conclusion.
2. The study touch on a issues and dimensions which allow of reduction of stigma and lessons learnt. The project lack policy innovation. If changes were made and further information was provided as indicated above in many of the recommendations I believe that new innovation findings could be identified.
3. Yes, the abstract does provide new insights.
4. No, the results are not analyzed in a broader context. Further work needs to be made which provide results in the abstract derived from the findings made.
5. Yes, the future implications of the study are discussed. However, there is a lack on the type of policy changes and/or interventions need to be assessed and implemented to look at those future implications.
What's up in the United Kingdom?
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - 02 Dec 2009 06:00
Great British Institution to Expand Financial Services Offer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Business Secretary Lord Mandelson today opened a public
consultation on new financial products and services that could be
offered by the Post Office.
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/409151
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maritime and Coastguard Agency - 02 Dec 2009 03:02
FALMOUTH COASTGUARD CO-ORDINATE RESCUE OF FIVE FROM YACHT OFF CAPE VERDE ISLANDS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
383-09
Falmouth Coastguard co-ordinated the rescue of five
British crew from a sailing yacht 325 nautical miles west of the Cape
Verde Islands overnight.
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/409183
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Process Automation for SharePoint without ‘Consultant Overhead’ Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a recent IDG survey, 62% of CIOs said that Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (SharePoint) was a critical component of their technology portfolio, especially for business process management (BPM). However, they did have issues with SharePoint ranging from: insufficient workflow processes, disorganised content, to lack of an over-arching site creation strategy.
Serena’s Lean BPM makes managing your business processes underlying SharePoint fast & simple. Using the drag-and-drop visual online interface you can have new processes up, running & producing returns in hours rather than months. Based on solutions currently deployed within Education, Local Government, Defence, Central Government and Criminal Justice, Serena are currently offering FREE public sector workshops, during which they will design & build a business process of your choice on your site. At the end of the session this automated process will be yours to keep!
See how you can integrate all your service delivery systems rather than having a disparate set of unlinked workflows. Best of all see how you can develop them in-house!
Click the link below to find out more about the workshops and to receive your free copy of the latest paper, ‘Living with Microsoft SharePoint: The Facts’
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-directory-1.nsf/slh?Open&dc=DNWA-7X2BZF&usr=DNWA-7XXKGX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wired-GOV Plus Newsletter
Our weekly round-ups of key government announcements, analysis and researched links to additional documents, consultations, white papers, reports and more
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-content-1.nsf/wfWGPlusLanding?ReadForm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry News
UK government and public sector case studies, white papers, success stories and contract awards
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-content-1.nsf/wfIndustryNewsView?ReadForm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Reports
An in-depth look at current topics that goes beneath the headlines to provide a detailed review of public sector issues & solutions
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-content-1.nsf/wfSpecialReports?ReadForm=1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
Forthcoming public sector events, conferences and seminars
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-events-1.nsf/wfCalendar?ReadForm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to end your subscription to Wired-GOV, please use the following link:
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-users-1.nsf/wfUnsubscribeAck?ReadForm&uid=DNWA-7XXKGX
Great British Institution to Expand Financial Services Offer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Business Secretary Lord Mandelson today opened a public
consultation on new financial products and services that could be
offered by the Post Office.
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/409151
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maritime and Coastguard Agency - 02 Dec 2009 03:02
FALMOUTH COASTGUARD CO-ORDINATE RESCUE OF FIVE FROM YACHT OFF CAPE VERDE ISLANDS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
383-09
Falmouth Coastguard co-ordinated the rescue of five
British crew from a sailing yacht 325 nautical miles west of the Cape
Verde Islands overnight.
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/409183
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Process Automation for SharePoint without ‘Consultant Overhead’ Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a recent IDG survey, 62% of CIOs said that Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (SharePoint) was a critical component of their technology portfolio, especially for business process management (BPM). However, they did have issues with SharePoint ranging from: insufficient workflow processes, disorganised content, to lack of an over-arching site creation strategy.
Serena’s Lean BPM makes managing your business processes underlying SharePoint fast & simple. Using the drag-and-drop visual online interface you can have new processes up, running & producing returns in hours rather than months. Based on solutions currently deployed within Education, Local Government, Defence, Central Government and Criminal Justice, Serena are currently offering FREE public sector workshops, during which they will design & build a business process of your choice on your site. At the end of the session this automated process will be yours to keep!
See how you can integrate all your service delivery systems rather than having a disparate set of unlinked workflows. Best of all see how you can develop them in-house!
Click the link below to find out more about the workshops and to receive your free copy of the latest paper, ‘Living with Microsoft SharePoint: The Facts’
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-directory-1.nsf/slh?Open&dc=DNWA-7X2BZF&usr=DNWA-7XXKGX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wired-GOV Plus Newsletter
Our weekly round-ups of key government announcements, analysis and researched links to additional documents, consultations, white papers, reports and more
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-content-1.nsf/wfWGPlusLanding?ReadForm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry News
UK government and public sector case studies, white papers, success stories and contract awards
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-content-1.nsf/wfIndustryNewsView?ReadForm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Reports
An in-depth look at current topics that goes beneath the headlines to provide a detailed review of public sector issues & solutions
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-content-1.nsf/wfSpecialReports?ReadForm=1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
Forthcoming public sector events, conferences and seminars
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-events-1.nsf/wfCalendar?ReadForm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to end your subscription to Wired-GOV, please use the following link:
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-users-1.nsf/wfUnsubscribeAck?ReadForm&uid=DNWA-7XXKGX
Malawi to cough more to avert fuel crisis
http://www.africanews.com/site/Malawi_Six_million_Euro_to_save_fuel_crisis/list_messages/28304
Malawi and AIDS drugs
http://www.africanews.com/site/Malawi_to_manufacture_local_AIDS_drugs/list_messages/28302
Children and the Malawi government
Children need various types of support ranging from those things necessary for survival, such as food and health care, to those interventions that will provide a better quality of life in the future such as education, psychosocial support and economic self-sufficiency. In an ideal world all children would have access to all types of high quality services. In the real world many children, orphaned and not, are malnourished, sick and without shelter. Some argue that a comprehensive programme to support children should include all essential elements including food, health care, education, clothes, shoes, bedding, psychosocial support, economic self-sufficiency, etc. Others hold that some of these elements are not ‘essential’ or far exceed the situation of most children living in poor households with both their parents.
Each country will make its own decisions about what types of support to provide in light of the availability of funding, level of need and socio-economic situation. In this analysis we provide estimates of resources needed for six categories of support:
• Food: Food and clean water are the most basic need for all children. Food supplied from external sources could actually reduce food security in the long run if it disrupts the local market, but food procured locally or produced through community gardens can contribute to local food security. Food may be provided as either bulk grain needing preparation or as cooked meals.
• Health care: The need for health care includes childhood immunizations and vitamin supplements for children under five, routine health care for all and reproductive health services for older children aged 10–17. In some countries health care is free for all children or for the youngest children. However, patients often have to pay for drugs and supplies. Some have argued that orphan-related programmes should advocate for free health care for all children rather than focus on providing funding to pay for care for children. However, in that case additional resources would need to be made available to governments to provide free care to families.
• Education: This includes school fees where they exist, funds required for uniforms, books and other supplies, and special fees. Many countries have eliminated school fees and additional advocacy efforts could help to eliminate them in other countries as well, but the extra costs of uniforms, supplies and special assessments can still be substantial.
• Family/home support: This category includes clothes, shoes, bednets and economic self-sufficiency. The need for bednets will vary depending on local climate and other conditions. In many cases donated clothes and shoes are available at no cost, but reliance on donated goods may not be sustainable as programmes scale up considerably. Economic self-sufficiency refers to programmes to provide older children and/or their families with economic support such as microfinance loans, skills training, grants or seeds.
• Community support: This includes identification of vulnerable children and funding for community workers who can assess needs, organize support and provide some counselling and individual support. Many community workers will be volunteers but significant funds may still be required for training and transportation.
• Other services: We have not explicitly included costs for national-level advocacy and legislative reform. These may be needed in many countries to address specific issues such as school fees, the cost of health care or child protection. Also many important activities such as memory books, camps etc. are assumed to be covered under community support but these may require additional resources beyond the community worker training and support included here. We have included an estimate of the costs of administering support programmes including fund raising, planning, research etc. This category applies to the organizational costs of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing support or central administration costs for government-run programmes.
Each country will make its own decisions about what types of support to provide in light of the availability of funding, level of need and socio-economic situation. In this analysis we provide estimates of resources needed for six categories of support:
• Food: Food and clean water are the most basic need for all children. Food supplied from external sources could actually reduce food security in the long run if it disrupts the local market, but food procured locally or produced through community gardens can contribute to local food security. Food may be provided as either bulk grain needing preparation or as cooked meals.
• Health care: The need for health care includes childhood immunizations and vitamin supplements for children under five, routine health care for all and reproductive health services for older children aged 10–17. In some countries health care is free for all children or for the youngest children. However, patients often have to pay for drugs and supplies. Some have argued that orphan-related programmes should advocate for free health care for all children rather than focus on providing funding to pay for care for children. However, in that case additional resources would need to be made available to governments to provide free care to families.
• Education: This includes school fees where they exist, funds required for uniforms, books and other supplies, and special fees. Many countries have eliminated school fees and additional advocacy efforts could help to eliminate them in other countries as well, but the extra costs of uniforms, supplies and special assessments can still be substantial.
• Family/home support: This category includes clothes, shoes, bednets and economic self-sufficiency. The need for bednets will vary depending on local climate and other conditions. In many cases donated clothes and shoes are available at no cost, but reliance on donated goods may not be sustainable as programmes scale up considerably. Economic self-sufficiency refers to programmes to provide older children and/or their families with economic support such as microfinance loans, skills training, grants or seeds.
• Community support: This includes identification of vulnerable children and funding for community workers who can assess needs, organize support and provide some counselling and individual support. Many community workers will be volunteers but significant funds may still be required for training and transportation.
• Other services: We have not explicitly included costs for national-level advocacy and legislative reform. These may be needed in many countries to address specific issues such as school fees, the cost of health care or child protection. Also many important activities such as memory books, camps etc. are assumed to be covered under community support but these may require additional resources beyond the community worker training and support included here. We have included an estimate of the costs of administering support programmes including fund raising, planning, research etc. This category applies to the organizational costs of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing support or central administration costs for government-run programmes.
‘BUILDING A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FREE COMMUNITY PROJECT
ORGANISATION
Name: Youth Guide Concern
Year of established: 2004
Contact person: Ephraim Chimwaza [Executive Director]
Address: P.O BOX 218 ,Lunzu ,Malawi.
Telephone: [265] 999 458 907
Email: youthguideconcern@yahoo.com
BACK GROUND
Youth Guide Concern is a registered non profitable making community based organization committed to empowering women, youth and children to prevent HIV/AIDS and promoting women’s and children rights.
ORGANISATION GOAL
To reduce the death and sufferings caused by HIV/AIDS and promoting the rights of women, youth and children in the community.
ORGANISATION STRUCTURE
Board of trustees – Executive Director-Project Director- Secretary- Finance Officer-Project Officers - Field Officers- Volunteers –Community.
ORGANISATION ACTIVITIES
1.Conducting community advocacy meetings on women and children rights promotions.
2.Establishing community women and child rights clubs.
3.Train community based women and child rights protecting officers.
4.Conducting community meetings on HIV/AIDS and domestic violence prevention.
5.Providing vital emotional support and guidance to victimized women and children.
6.Assisting victims of domestic violence to get police and court assistance.
ORGANISATION STAFF
The Organisation has ten employed staff and twenty community based volunteers.
Members from the community can become a member of the Organisation only qualified person can be elected as a president.
CURRENT STAFF
1.Ephraim Chimwaza - Executive Director
2.Olivia Bulla - Project Director
3.Chrissy Chiwaya - Secretary
4.Mwai Chaima - Finance officer
5.Ester Kapenda - Project officer
6.Christina Evansi -project officer
7.Benson Chikoja -project officer
8.Love amin - field officer
9.Pelera Botoman - field officer
10.George Banda - field officer
INTERNATIONAL REFERENCE ORGANISATIONS
1. Zelda D.T Soriano
Women Global Net work for Reproductive Rights [WGNRR]
Vroliks traat 453, 1092 TJ
Amsterdam,
The Netherlands.
Email :Zelda@wgnrr.nl
Tel: 31 [0] 20629672
2.Todd Lawrence
Global Health Council
11 11 19th street NW, Suite 1120
Washington, DC 20036 ,USA
Email:tlawrence@globalhealth.org
Tel:[202] 833-5900
LOCAL NETWORK ORGANISATIONS
We have networking with the following organization.
1. Malawi Network of AIDS Society Organisation [
P.O BOX 2916,
Blantyre.
Tel:[265] 018 350 46
Email:info@manaso.org
2. Blantyre District Assembly
P.O BOX 97,
Blantyre
Tel: [265] 0888554437
THE FORMER DONORS
The following are the donors who supported our projects in the past.
1. Stephanie Weems
112 club house lane
Madison, ALBAMA 35757
USA.
Tel: 265-837-1275
Email:sweems@knology.net
2.Gloria Nolan
APT 15B
7905 Horance Harding
EXPWY Corona
New York 11368-4105
USA.
Email:glnolan@verizon.net
BANKING INFORMATION
Account Name: Youth Guide Concern Organisation
Account Number: 172906863710001
Bank Name: Malawi Savings Bank
Address: P.O BOX 521 ,Blantyre ,Malawi.
CORRESPONDENT BANK DETAILS FOR MALAWI SAVINGS BANK.
United States Of America [Dollars]
CITI BANK N.A.
399 Park avenue, New York,
NY 10043 USA
Account Number: 36250546
Swift Code :CITIUS33
Name: Youth Guide Concern
Year of established: 2004
Contact person: Ephraim Chimwaza [Executive Director]
Address: P.O BOX 218 ,Lunzu ,Malawi.
Telephone: [265] 999 458 907
Email: youthguideconcern@yahoo.com
BACK GROUND
Youth Guide Concern is a registered non profitable making community based organization committed to empowering women, youth and children to prevent HIV/AIDS and promoting women’s and children rights.
ORGANISATION GOAL
To reduce the death and sufferings caused by HIV/AIDS and promoting the rights of women, youth and children in the community.
ORGANISATION STRUCTURE
Board of trustees – Executive Director-Project Director- Secretary- Finance Officer-Project Officers - Field Officers- Volunteers –Community.
ORGANISATION ACTIVITIES
1.Conducting community advocacy meetings on women and children rights promotions.
2.Establishing community women and child rights clubs.
3.Train community based women and child rights protecting officers.
4.Conducting community meetings on HIV/AIDS and domestic violence prevention.
5.Providing vital emotional support and guidance to victimized women and children.
6.Assisting victims of domestic violence to get police and court assistance.
ORGANISATION STAFF
The Organisation has ten employed staff and twenty community based volunteers.
Members from the community can become a member of the Organisation only qualified person can be elected as a president.
CURRENT STAFF
1.Ephraim Chimwaza - Executive Director
2.Olivia Bulla - Project Director
3.Chrissy Chiwaya - Secretary
4.Mwai Chaima - Finance officer
5.Ester Kapenda - Project officer
6.Christina Evansi -project officer
7.Benson Chikoja -project officer
8.Love amin - field officer
9.Pelera Botoman - field officer
10.George Banda - field officer
INTERNATIONAL REFERENCE ORGANISATIONS
1. Zelda D.T Soriano
Women Global Net work for Reproductive Rights [WGNRR]
Vroliks traat 453, 1092 TJ
Amsterdam,
The Netherlands.
Email :Zelda@wgnrr.nl
Tel: 31 [0] 20629672
2.Todd Lawrence
Global Health Council
11 11 19th street NW, Suite 1120
Washington, DC 20036 ,USA
Email:tlawrence@globalhealth.org
Tel:[202] 833-5900
LOCAL NETWORK ORGANISATIONS
We have networking with the following organization.
1. Malawi Network of AIDS Society Organisation [
P.O BOX 2916,
Blantyre.
Tel:[265] 018 350 46
Email:info@manaso.org
2. Blantyre District Assembly
P.O BOX 97,
Blantyre
Tel: [265] 0888554437
THE FORMER DONORS
The following are the donors who supported our projects in the past.
1. Stephanie Weems
112 club house lane
Madison, ALBAMA 35757
USA.
Tel: 265-837-1275
Email:sweems@knology.net
2.Gloria Nolan
APT 15B
7905 Horance Harding
EXPWY Corona
New York 11368-4105
USA.
Email:glnolan@verizon.net
BANKING INFORMATION
Account Name: Youth Guide Concern Organisation
Account Number: 172906863710001
Bank Name: Malawi Savings Bank
Address: P.O BOX 521 ,Blantyre ,Malawi.
CORRESPONDENT BANK DETAILS FOR MALAWI SAVINGS BANK.
United States Of America [Dollars]
CITI BANK N.A.
399 Park avenue, New York,
NY 10043 USA
Account Number: 36250546
Swift Code :CITIUS33
Information, Communication and Technology Association of Malawi (ICTAM) appeals for publicity from Richard Chirombo
All i want my friend is that you write something for ICATM as for now it seems as if we have gone back to our grave yard; we are totally silent.
Kind regards,
Tobias Kumwenda,
ICTAM Publicity Secretary.
IT Dept
Mzuzu
Cell: +265 9 999 132 877
Blospot: http://manyanichitumbuka.blogspot.com/
Kind regards,
Tobias Kumwenda,
ICTAM Publicity Secretary.
IT Dept
Mzuzu
Cell: +265 9 999 132 877
Blospot: http://manyanichitumbuka.blogspot.com/
Malawi: Lesbians Worry over their rights.
By Madalitso Kateta
Lesbians in Malawi have expressed worry over the country’s laws that prohibit same sex marriages.
The concern was made in Blantyre recently at the Malawi Gay Rights Movement meting that also elected new office bearers for the net work following the death of its leader early this year.
One of the lesbians who asked only to be mentioned by her first name, Ruth, said that the Malawi government has to recognize the rights of gays as sexual orientation was an inborn thing.
“One does not learn to be lesbian or homo sexual he or she is born with it and the government needs to soften up laws so that people that are having same sex affairs can open up,” she said.
The same sex marriage activist said while at the moment their movement was working under ground, they were trying to use all the best means possible to influence government change its position on same sex marriages policies.
“Gays are just like any member of the society they are productive and can be made into good use. By denying them regal protection the society is being very unfair as these people are not accessing services that they reqire,”she said.
The meeting elected Moses Blackthorn at its new leader and it has since revealed that they are fundraising for a familiasation tour to some of the countries where homosexuality is legal.
Lesbians in Malawi have expressed worry over the country’s laws that prohibit same sex marriages.
The concern was made in Blantyre recently at the Malawi Gay Rights Movement meting that also elected new office bearers for the net work following the death of its leader early this year.
One of the lesbians who asked only to be mentioned by her first name, Ruth, said that the Malawi government has to recognize the rights of gays as sexual orientation was an inborn thing.
“One does not learn to be lesbian or homo sexual he or she is born with it and the government needs to soften up laws so that people that are having same sex affairs can open up,” she said.
The same sex marriage activist said while at the moment their movement was working under ground, they were trying to use all the best means possible to influence government change its position on same sex marriages policies.
“Gays are just like any member of the society they are productive and can be made into good use. By denying them regal protection the society is being very unfair as these people are not accessing services that they reqire,”she said.
The meeting elected Moses Blackthorn at its new leader and it has since revealed that they are fundraising for a familiasation tour to some of the countries where homosexuality is legal.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Fuel shortage worsens in Malawi
Malawi is grappling with a fuel crisis of sorts, with vehicles now scrambling for the tiny remaining bits of Diesel and Petrol to the extent of 'sleeping' on queues.
The probem visible in Blantyre City Centre, but worse in rural areas. A British Petroleum filling station in Blantyre City Centre has virtually posted a sign of 'We are Closed', making people wonder whether the economics of 'economic engineer' Bingu wa Mutharika only make sense on paper.
State President Mutharika has chosen to remain mum as the nation round about thirsts for fuel. Rural dwellers are going four weeks in the dark now, as the strategic Paraffin remains rocked in port storage rooms.
Malawi is facinga silent crisis analysts blame on lack of enough forex.
The country's import cover is now at one-and-a-half months, almost double down the recommended cover.
But the drivers waiting on the long queues are Malawians, that is why they are painfully patient.
Energy Minister Grain Malunga has promised the moon, saying government is working around the clock to come around the shortage. However, his promise that the problem would end today has not materialised, and his blatant lie now lies shiny like a dead nun in the plain.
The probem visible in Blantyre City Centre, but worse in rural areas. A British Petroleum filling station in Blantyre City Centre has virtually posted a sign of 'We are Closed', making people wonder whether the economics of 'economic engineer' Bingu wa Mutharika only make sense on paper.
State President Mutharika has chosen to remain mum as the nation round about thirsts for fuel. Rural dwellers are going four weeks in the dark now, as the strategic Paraffin remains rocked in port storage rooms.
Malawi is facinga silent crisis analysts blame on lack of enough forex.
The country's import cover is now at one-and-a-half months, almost double down the recommended cover.
But the drivers waiting on the long queues are Malawians, that is why they are painfully patient.
Energy Minister Grain Malunga has promised the moon, saying government is working around the clock to come around the shortage. However, his promise that the problem would end today has not materialised, and his blatant lie now lies shiny like a dead nun in the plain.
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