World Relief Malawi project manager on Scope HIV project, Peter Chalusa has told Zodiak that victims of sexual and gender-based violence lack mental support from well-trained personnel hence his organization coming up with the initiative to fill up the gap.

Chalusa says they are training about 274 faith leaders whose majority is from Machinga.

He says, they have targeted the faith leaders as they are reliable and trusted by their charges.

"After we noticed lack of these support systems to the GBV survivors, we decided to come up with these special trainings for the faith leaders."

"We are targeting the faith leaders as they are trusted. We hope there will be sustainability to these trainings, "said Chalusa 

One of the trainees, Pastor Joseph John, from Good Samaritan Baptist Church has described the trainings as beneficial to the society.

"I think these trainings will impact lives of our people whom are facing mental challenges due to the rise in violence," noted Pastor John.