Lazarus Chakwera challenges citizens, companies on volunteerism
President Lazarus Chakwera has challenged citizens and companies to get more involved in volunteer work and serve vulnerable communities in need of support.
The President made the remarks at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe Wednesday during the launch of this year’s Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) Flag Week at the event that culminated in him being inducted as patron of the society.
Chakwera discouraged Malawians from being driven by “the notion of paid work”.
“I therefore encourage every Malawian to find a good organisation pursuing a good cause and volunteer there.
“Even if you are unemployed and waiting for the one million jobs we are creating, there is no reason why you cannot volunteer your time and talent to a good cause,” Chakwera said.
The President also challenged companies to share profits with Malawians by investing in socio-economic activities.
After being inducted as patron of MRCS, Chakwera said he accepted the role “wholeheartedly and stands with vulnerable communities” in the country. He also donated K1 million to the society.
Health Minister Khumbidze Kandodo Chiponda said the ministry recognised the contribution of the society to humanitarian activities in Malawi.
She said MRCS had also been assisting the government in its fight against Covid-19, observing that its workers had been conducting screening activities in the country’s entry points.
MRCS President Levison Changole said the society was committed to eradicating human suffering through its activities.
“We have got a lot of activities that we are carrying out. The main focus why we exist is to alleviate human suffering that comes through natural disasters and man-made disasters,” Changole said.
He commended the current administration for revamping the subvention that the government is supposed to provide to the society.
The current administration has already funded them with K200 million this year, he said.
MRCS targets to raise K60 million during the Flag Week and Changole called on individuals and organisations to financially support the good cause.
Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.
