Freddy Exposes Vulnerable Child Headed Household

Save the Children on Thursday responded with a donation of food Save the Children on Thursday responded with a donation of food - pic by Moses Masiye
At the age 11, Lameck Charlie in 2018 took over the role of looking after his siblings following the death of both parents same year. 
He was in standard four but was forced to drop out of school to concentrate on piece works that would bring food, so that his young brother Thom and the last born sister Elufe continue with their education. 
 
Lameck takes up whatever piece work comes his way only to ensure that his siblings do not drop out of school as well as find something to eat after classes. 
 
This has been their life for the past five years, until early this year when tropical cyclone Freddy worsened their vulnerability. 
 
Their house was one of those brought down by Cyclone Freddy in Kateya village, Traditional Authority Kapeni in Blantyre and some of their belongings were washed away. 
 
"We had no option but to relocate to the nearest ad hoc evacuation camp at Ntenjera primary school where we sought shelter, and later we were moved to Lunzu community hall" said Lameck. 
 
This is where authorities identified them as a child headed household after failing to trace their parents.
 
It was resolved that they be taken to an orphanage, but Lameck said:- "We can not live in an orphanage for ever, therefore I need to get hold of our land while my 12 year old brother and the 9 year sister are there." 
 
Mary Chegwa, a member of Kateya village child protection committee says they took the two to an orphanage leaving Lameck in respect of his choice to remain behind. 
 
"We are calling for support from all angles to bail out this child headed household. A house would be of paramount importance as well as honoring Lameck's request of vocational skills training and start up capital among other supporting interventions," said Chegwa. 
 
Non governmental organization Save the Children on Thursday responded with a donation of food, beddings and clothes among other items. 
 
One vulnerability assessment report after Tropical cyclone Freddy recommended that:-"The support required for this household to be reintegrated include: education support and further support. There is need to support the construction of the house and all the required items for their life." 
 
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