News

By Steve Zimba

In the picture: Judith Foundation members of staff were in Masasa residential area in Nkhatabay which is one of the impact implementation area, where they were monitoring and assessing the progress of Small and Medium Enterprise (SMSs) from loans that they got from the Foundation in 2021.

In this program called Skills 4 Development, there are about 350 young women. These include Gender Based Violence survivors, Adolescent Young Women and Girls, Widows, and the Elderly.

The aim of the project is to economically empower the targeted group. This follows problems they are facing, and Judith Foundation is there to reduce the hitches. In the program, the targeted group is given soft loans for their economic gain. And as a result, their families are able to respond to social economic problems they facing in their homes.

Skills for Development project started in 2021 and is expected to phase out in 2025

Picture by: Judith Foundation

By Voster Chiwowa

Judith Foundation, a non-profit making and local non-governmental organization on Friday 1^st April 2022, cerebrated the Good Deeds Day at Katoto Secondary School where they cleaned the surroundings. The Foundation’s volunteers led by its Programs Manager Wisdom Zunguzungu Nyirenda cleaned the main hall and the school surroundings in commemoration of World Good Deeds Day.

Speaking during the exercise, Mr. Nyirenda said that doing good is one of their organizations core values which among others include creating conducive environment for education for all children.

“We thought it wise to help in cleaning the school surroundings as one way of cheering our long time partners on this important day”, Nyirenda said.

“Katoto Secondary School is one of the schools that we are working with, so good deeds day is about surprising your friend with something good and for us we thought of coming here and clean the place,” She added.

“Doing good is not about having more things or money, but doing what you can manage with what you have,” Nyirenda concluded.

The head teacher of Katoto Secondary School Mr. Christopher Nyasulu commended Judith Foundation for the gesture saying it has help the school environment to look tidy and conducive for students. “We are very grateful for the work that Judith foundation has done today, we really appreciate. We did not expect this we are really honoured.” Nyasulu said.

“Judith Foundation is already doing a lot here at our school through the bursary program. They are supporting a lot of children with school fees here at our school”

“But you can see how clean the main hall is today. It’s because of what they have done today. They have proved to be our real friend and partner,” Nyasulu narrated.

Good deeds day is an internal day of volunteering which started in 2007 with the aim of uniting people from around the world in doing good deeds for others. The day is cerebrated on 3rd of April where people from over 108 countries unite in doing good deeds. In Malawi Judith foundation is a member of good deeds movement.

Judith Foundation is a non-profit making and local non-governmental organization (LNGO) which implements Agriculture, Education, Environmental Conservation, Economic Empowerment, Health, Human Rights and Governance interventions with the aim of empowering vulnerable children, youths, women, elderly and communities in their diversity.

By: Voster Chiwowa

As time for this year’s MSCE examination draws closure, Judith Foundation has today bid farewell to students who are on bursary from all 13 secondary schools they are working with. The main aim of the function was to interact with students who have been receiving support and encourage them to concentrate more as they approach examinations.

Speaking at the function which took place at Judith Foundation offices in Luwinga today, Programs Manager Mr. Wisdom Nyirenda reminded students about the importance of the examinations they are about to take. Nyirenda also urged students to be focused and determined during the examination.

During the function, Judith Foundation provided students with writing materials, calculators and Mathematical instruments to all 45 students on bursary who are sitting for MSCE examinations this year. On distribution of writing materials, Programs Manager for Judith Foundation Mr. Nyirenda, said the materials given to students are meant to help the students have all required materials when writing exams.

Nyirenda said that the organization mandate is to ensure that every child on bursary have all the required materials during examination, and every year towards the examination period the Foundation provides examination package to students sitting for MANEB examination so that students should just concentrate on studies as exams draw closer.

One of the beneficiary a student from Luwinga Secondary, Violent Banda expressed gratitude for the support she has received from Judith Foundation throughout her studies.  On the materials, Banda said they have come at the right time as they were wondering where to get these writing materials.

She said these writing materials have boosted her morale towards the examinations. Blessings Thole, student from Nkhorongo CDSS echoed with Banda saying with these materials they are now free from worries about the writing materials.

This year’s Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations are scheduled to start on 30th August 2022. Judith Foundation has over 45 students on bursary who are writing 2021 – 2022 MSCE Examinations.

By: Voster Chiwowa

Walusungu Community Based Organisation in Mzuzu can now breathe a sigh of relief after Judith Foundation has started constructing a toilet at their place. This has come at a time the CBO was struggling to find resources to construct a toilet after the one they had collapsed six months ago.

Speaking after touring the construction work, Judith Foundation executive director Judith Chibambo said that they decided to construct a toilet after noting that the CBO is struggling after the toilet they had collapsed. Further to the Cholera threats the community and children at Walusungu CBO are at risk of communicable diseases due to poor hygiene caused by lack of sanitary facility which collapsed due to heavy rains.

Chibambo added that Walusungu is one of their partners in different interventions such as Agriculture, Health, child protection and Human rights interventions which they are benefiting, so it was necessary to help.

The pit latrine will help to improve the hygiene and sanitation at the place for women and children who come at the CBO for various services.

Chairperson for Walusungu CBO Mrs. Magret Thundu expressed gratitude to Judith Foundation for the project.

According to Mrs. Thundu, she said “the CBO has over 150 women and children who come at the centre for different services and without a toilet it was pausing health problem at the place”. further said when the toilet construction finishes, the hygiene and sanitation will be improved at the place. She also commended Judith Foundation for the project and different assistance that JF give to the CBO.

Judith Foundation work with Walusungu CBO in different thematic areas such as Agriculture, Health, Child Protection, Human Rights, Education, Vocation and Skills Development among others.

On 21st to 22nd June, 2022, Judith Foundation joined the rest of the world in commemorating menstrual hygiene which was held at Chitokoto primary school ground in Mzimba north.

Pamela completes the trio of women working at JF. She is dedicated to the improvement of educational opportunities for children in Mzuzu.

She is the Educational Coordinator for the Foundation and looks after over 100 pupils in school as a result of the work of Judith Foundation.

On International Woman’s Day we congratulate her for the tireless work she does for the Foundation.

Chess has always been known as a sport which develops personal skills such as strategic thinking, planning and perseverance.

Judith Foundation promotes chess as one of its sporting activities to develop these important personal attributes. Last week one of the beneficiaries, Mandala Banda from Form 4 at Katoto Secondary Schoo, Mzuzu, participated in the National Chess Tournament at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.

Speaking at the event, the Chess President Susan Namangale encouraged participants to continue working on their performance so that one day Malawi can produce a Grand Master. She emphasised that chess makes one think and have a desire not to give up, which relate to our day to day life – not giving up at school and keep pushing forward #raising leaders through sports#

Judith Foundation with education, is on a journey to reach out to needy children to support them and help them achieve their academic goals. This is a programme targeting secondary and primary children in Government Schools. Currently JF in partnership with Kukumiku is supporting the Northern Region of Malawi in Mzuzu City.

On 26 July Jacob Katanga (Project Manager of JF) attended the closing event of 2018/19 at Doroba Primary School where the Foundation is supporting some pupils with development fees, uniforms, bags and stationery. This event was to confirm those who had passed into the next year.

The Foundation, along with other organisations such as Mary Meals and Luke International, was invited to the event to celebrate everyone’s success. The Head Teacher emphasised the need for hard work and effort even during holiday time, and to respect their parents and behave well.

The event was closed by VDC Chairperson, Mr. Kaunda, who again emphasised the need for respect both for other adults and themselves. Young girls were singled out in particular to concentrate on their future and not to bow to peer pressure which often results in early pregnancies and the need to drop out of school. Only education will provide a sustainable future.

On December 24^th Survivor Organization and Ellie Baxter Foundation co-organized a patient visitation at Mzuzu Central hospital, and donated assorted items. The event was held with a purpose of assisting and cheering up the less privileged and disadvantaged at the hospital during the festive period.

All hospital wards were visited and this included: children, female surgical and medical, male surgical and medical, and TB section. The diversification was planned that everyone should benefit from the donated items.

The following items were donated: Orange squash (SOBO), Sugar, Salt, Soya peas, Milk, Bread, Laundry and bath soap.

In her speech during the function, Director of Survivor Organization, Ms. Judith Chibambo, said:

“it is the  responsibility of everyone to be a rainbow in the dark cloud, hence it starts with us to bring hope, love and encourage to patients and the less privileged.”

Survivor Organization’s goal in the activity during the festive period was to cheer-up patients, guardians, the less privileged and further set a standard to how we should be responsible citizens in championing corporate social responsibility.