Disability Presidential Advisor Office

06/10/2021

Every 23rd September, we yearly commemorate the international day of Sign language, the language used by our dear deaf colleagues. Here in Malawi, we commemorated this event today on 6th, October and this event was graced by his Excellency the State President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

The theme for this years commemoration was . This theme was internationally selected to demonstrate how the deaf community worldwide can unite to advocate for the recognition of the right to use sign language in all areas.

29/09/2021

My office had interface meetings with several Districts Disability Forums (DDFs) and the Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA) in the Northern and Southern region (August and this September respectively). The meeting aimed at bringing awareness to Persons with Disabilities on government’s programmes and plans affecting them. It was also meant to build strong linkages between Persons with Disabilities and service providers, government programs and network with development partners.

We were joined by several stakeholders including National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) with whom among others, we discussed loan conditions to Increase uptake among Persons with Disabilities. On record we already have over 40 groups of Persons with Disabilities and Albinism who have accessed loans and we are look forward for more.

It is the vision of His Excellency the State President of Malawi to ensure there is an inclusive empowerment for all Malawians regardless of any status and to make sure that lives of Persons with Albinism and Disabilities are secured.

28/06/2021

positive lives for Person with Albinism #

We are looking forward to having more of these events for youths with different disabilities.

28/06/2021

In reaffirming the Tonse government’s commitment to the protection and promotion of the rights of Persons with Albinism, my office in collaboration with Benga Parish, Mr & Miss Albinism Malawi office and Good Samaritan Children Homes hosted a Summer Camp for the children with albinism on 25th June, 2021 at Senga Bay (Sunbird Livingstonia Beach) in Salima.

This was a side event in commemoration of the International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) that was graced by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on 26th June, 2021 at Chigumula Ground in Nkhotakota”. The children later joined His Excellency the President of the Repulic of Malawi at the national function.

The summer camp brought up a new great experience for the children. It helped in promoting roles of enhancing their positive self-esteem.

On a special note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders who joined hands with my office and of course, the Tonse Government in supporting persons with albinism in ensuring that their rights are fully protected.

The stakeholders include Sunbird Hotels, Latitude 13 Degrees, UNICEF, Cool Drop, Puma Filling Station, Pharmanova, Lake of Stars, Water Aid, MDF-Parachute Batalion, Safari Beach Lodge, Afro Fashion, Sharmila Elias, Dr Rosemaire Moser, Adrian, artists present and all Friends of Persons with Albinism for the various contributions and participation in this initiative.

My office will continue to organise such kind of events bringing in together youth with different disabilities.

10/06/2021

"Strength Beyond All Odds"

As we build-up towards the commemoration of this year's International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) scheduled for June 26 in Nkhotakota District, my office was previledged to join the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) at the first IAAD event yesterday on 9th June 2021 at the Gymkana Club in Zomba District.

The event was held under the theme "Strength Beyond All Odds". The theme carries hope and encouragement for People With Albinism (PWA) who in the past years have been subjected to attacks, abductions and killings which have left them living in fear and hopelessness. The theme inspires them to believe they can excel in whatever they do despite the several obstacles standing in their way.

The guest of honour, His Lordship George Tambala who is the Bishop of Zomba Diocese, took advantage of the podium to preach about love and support towards eachother. He said it is everyone's responsibility to protect one another and ensure that, they are able to achieve their maximum potential. He said after creation, God pushed this responsibility to the human race and it important to ensure PWA are protected and supported. He reiterated that the Catholic Church remains committed in protecting the lives and welfare of PWA.

The call by the Bishop is inline with what His Excellency the State President Lazarus Chakwera has been preaching about love and the need to protect PWA and providing them with the necessary support to ensure they are enjoying life like any other citizen.

31/05/2021

We are joining the rest of the world in commemorating this years' IAAD for the 6th time on the theme “Strength Beyond all Odds”.However, Malawi will commemorate the day on the theme “Exposing the positive lives of PWAs”. The commemoration will be graced by His Excellency the State President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera. The day will be commemorated at Chigumura Stadium in Nkhota-kota district on 26th June 2021

27/04/2021

Following the joint interface meeting of my office, APAM & the Director of Public Prosecution held on 23rd march 2021 to agree on a number of strategies aimed at facilitating speedy trial of existing bulk load of cases involving persons with albinism, including the classic murder of Mc Donald Masambuka, we are happy to see its fruition.

Just a week after the meeting, the high court in Zomba sentenced Mr. Moses to life imprisonment, who killed Fletcher Masina, a young man with albinism, from Ntcheu district.

On the same note, the High Court in Nkhata-Bay convicted two men (Frank Mkweni Thonje and Bonzo Chirwa) and acquitted two others for the murder of Yassin Kwenda Phiri, a man with albinism who was gruesomely butchered on new year's eve of 2018. We are hoping the sentencing is on its way.

Not forgetting cases of Masambuka and Lule Buleya which have also been revived where police officers are also being implicated in the murder. These cases are currently in court and we are hopeful that justice will prevail before the end of June.

Following the duration of these cases, we believe the court has had reasonable time already to prepare for trial as it is: to review the evidence, investigate the facts, consult with witnesses, negotiate a plea agreement (which we don’t think is possible), and in fact the sentencing. The delay in these two cases have paused lots of questions and we believe it’s time for the truth to prevail. It is on the heart of the State President, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera to see that persons with albinism are enjoying their rights to the fullest just like any Malawian.

26/04/2021

As a way of expanding opportunities for people with disabilities, who graduate from secondary education, a good number of students with disabilities have been selected to several Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs). We believe education will make much sense to leaners with disabilities especially when we have people with disabilities part of the lead in the education system.

In order to enhance the visibility of students with special needs in TTCs & Education institutes, on Thursday (22nd April 2021), my office had a meeting with the Director for Teacher Education & Development (DTED), Mr. Misheck Munthali. We sealed a robust affirmative action and need to facilitate the urgent establishment of a network for special needs students. The plan is to have the Vice President as a Patron of the network.

Come the disability month (November), the networking team will be ready to meet the Vice President or His excellency the President of the Republic of Malawi.

16/04/2021

On 16th April 2021, our office held a planning meeting at Ufulu Gardens in Lilongwe in preparation of the forthcoming first ever Presidential Conference on disabilities in Malawi.

The meeting was attended by government officials, policy makers, academicians, development partners,members of the civil society and persons with disabilities where various issues had to be re-considered to make this first ever disability conference in Malawi innovative & successful.

Among many other issues, the participants highlighted major issues that affect the disability community and how the conference can provide opportunities to look at them again and discuss solutions. The participants welcomed the drafted concept of the conference and proposed October 21-22 for this event.

Recently, the State President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera endorsed the conference idea under the theme; Making disability a development priority following his meeting with FEDOMA at Sanjika Palace on 9th December 2020.

25/02/2021

It has been the wish of the State President, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera & Tonse-led government to ensure that disability programmes are aligned with the government’s priority areas of fostering citizen empowerment.

In support of this cause, on 14th December 2020, my office held a meeting with National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) Chief Executive Officer and his team at the NEEF headquarters in Lilongwe to discuss the need to include a fourth category of NEEF credit beneficiaries made up of persons with disabilities.

As we wait for the formal inclusion of persons with disabilities in NEEF's loan initiative, we agreed to identify some groups to be given the loans. My office through Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), has so far identified over 50 groups of persons with disabilities to be part of the first beneficiaries of NEEF loans.

I am glad to inform you that among many others, Malawi National Association for the Deaf (MANAD)-Lilongwe branch group has already received K2.3 million loan from NEEF in support of their various activities.

MANAD has been one of the outstanding Disabled People Organizations (DPOs) whose members are more active in the various initiatives designed to promote self-empowerment. The initiatives include tailoring, tinsmith and carpentry.

I would like to thank NEEF for living to its promise of being inclusive and for considering persons with disabilities to be among the beneficiaries of the loans programme.

Many thanks to all of you who are working tirelessly to ensure neglected groups such as persons with disabilities are considered in key government initiatives.

: In the first picture, the five are MANAD members while in the other picture, NEEF officials signing documents.

23/02/2021

My office, yesterday had consultative meetings with the Malawi Council for the Handcapped (MACOHA). The meetings were held at MACOHA head office, Bangwe Weaving Factory and Kamuzu Vocational Technical College.

The forum was part of a series of meetings my office has been holding with critical stakeholders with the aim of identifying ways of making life better for persons with disabilities by improving on service delivery.

The meetings provided my office with an opportunity to assess the performance of the Council in delivering on its mandate. Some of the areas which were identified that needed improvement include; need for disability specific studies, provision of tax exemption to employers of persons with disabilities, sensitization on various forms of disability, more awareness on what the council offers, and provision of quality assistive devices. The need to allocate resources for Covid-19 interventions for PWDs was also highlighted besides deliberate recruitment of qualified PWDs in its structures at all levels.

My office, commended MACOHA for the work it is doing amid strained resources. With a decade of experience in the disability sector, the office called for a shift in advocacy style used by stakeholders in the sector, from one of confrontation to embracing persuasion and constructive criticism.

"This is more effective in changing the hearts and minds of the larger population of persons with special needs,”

"It is the wish of the State President, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera to ensure disability programs align with the government’s priority areas of fostering appropriate empowerment above affirmative initiatives." It is for this reason that his office will continue engaging more Disabled People's Organizations (DPOs) handling different forms of disabilities in order to identify ways of providing need-based programs and partnerships.

05/02/2021