Fire Victim Woman in Dire Need of Shelter in Neno
The family and Council official inspecting construction works
- pic by Steve Kalungwe
A 30-year-old woman, Mwandida Kabitchi, who got her house burnt down in August this year in Neno district has told Zodiak Online on Wednesday that her life is now a misery as she is lacking shelter and basic necessities.
A visit by Zodiak has revealed that the woman together with her four kids are being sheltered in the burnt house which has been partially grass thatched by some church members but it has no door.
Mwandida who was in tears when speaking to Zodiak, told that "I am in pain as I can't afford a meal or feed my children, we lost every including beddings, maize flour, a bag of fertilizer and all that,".
When asked how she would wish to be assisted, the single mother said that her wish is to have a better house and be able to send her children to school should well-wishers provide there with school supplies like books and uniforms as all was also burnt to ashes.
When Zodiak approached Neno district council Disaster Risk Management Officer Brighton Mphinga, he told us that at the moment the council has managed to receive cash amounting to two hundred and forty two thousand Kwacha which they are using to build her a house.
"When the incident happened on the 15th of August, we approached different stakeholders for help and we mobilised the amount mentioned but we thought of using it for building a house after looking at its urgency," he said.
Now, according to Mphinga, they have mobilised bricks and sand which has cost them two hundred and forty thousand Kwacha hence their call for further assistance saying the woman needs proper housing as the rainy season is fast approaching.
The DDRMO then said people who have food and non-food items are welcome to assist the woman with a stress more resources towards finishing the house.
Meanwhile, Village Headman Willson 2 of Group Village Kaluphya in the area of Traditional Authority Chekucheku has hailed the council and well-wishers who are coming forth to help the devastated woman.
He said that as a village they are also providing food and other items to the family which he said are not enough looking at the many needs the family is looking for to restore their lives.
Zodiak Broadcasting Station also carried the story which attracted people's attention following revelations that the fire was started by a young boy who came to play with his friends from the family.
The family has four children, the oldest being 11-years-old and the last 2-years-old.
