MEPIC Learners Campaign for Senior Citizens’ Rights
On Friday, the learners kick- started with reaching out about a 100 elderly people within the school's community
- pic by Moses Masiye
Amid reports that 25 elderly people were killed last year and many others tortured, largely on witchcraft allegations, primary school learners at MEPIC primary school in Balaka have embarked on a campaign against the vice.
On Friday, they kick- started with reaching out about a 100 elderly people within the school's community, under group village Mpulula.
They donated food and nonfood items, valued at about one million kwacha, and planted trees around group village Mpulula' headquarters.
Head girl for MEPIC Primary school, Memory Chisale says they want to set a good example, that will see the elderly protected and respected in the next generations.
"We are geared towards becoming change agents, and the change starts with us," said Chisale.
Kingsley Maikalanga, executive director for the school, says this has been possible with additional support from parents and guardians.
Maikalanga said: "Apart from teaching them a spirit of giving, we strive to mold a responsible crop of young ones, with sounding morals, apart from academics."
Balaka district social welfare officer responsible for the elderly, Stanley Chisi and group village head Mpulula, commended the gesture, on behalf of the beneficiaries.
According to Malawi Network of Older Persons Organizations (MANEPO), 25 senior citizens were killed, and about 56 faced harassment, largely on witchcraft allegations, last year alone.
