Case Story – Eliza Adam
Eliza Adam is 86 years old. She comes from Nthulo village in Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa, Thyolo district. One afternoon, standard 8 learners from Nthulo primary school paid here a visit. Led by their class teacher Mr George Mphanje, the learners had been prepared to visit the Gogo (old woman) to cheer her up, donated grocery items and assist her with the household chores.
George Mphanje is a Deputy Head teacher at Mphanje. He graduated from DAPP Chilagoma Teachers Training College.
He is a member of the DAPP graduated teachers network that voluntarily stick together to share ideas and experiences on how to improve the environments around their schools known as 400 Primary Schools.
He said supporting the elderly in the communities they live in together with the learners is one way of grooming the young generation to grow up into responsible citizens.
“When we contribute money as a class and buy items for people in need we are learning that it is everyone’s responsibility to support the needy regardless of whether we are related to them or not,” said one of the learners.
For the second time, George led his class to Gogo Eliza’s house where the learners went to cheer her up and assisted with household chores.
The learners swept the compound, fetched water from the borehole and prepared food for Gogo Eliza.
All cheered up, Gogo Eliza said the gesture is priceless and she encouraged the learners and their teacher to continue being supportive saying this is what makes responsible citizens.
George Mphanje said supporting the needy is one of the thing he learnt while studying with DAPP TTCs. During one of the learning periods called fighting shoulder to shoulder with the poor, they are required to support people in their localities when a need arises and this is just one of the gestures at the same time using materials they can find locally.
DAPP Malawi participated in the International Youth Day commemorations that took place on 25 October 2019 at Embangweni Primary School ground in Mzimba district. The commemorations had been organised by Mzimba district council to celebrate youth in and around the district.The event was commemorated under the theme “Youth and Education: The Role of Education in Social Economic and Behaviour Change”.Students undergoing a Cobbler and Shoe Making course offered by DAPP Mikolongwe Vocational School at DAPP Mzimba Teachers Training College displayed the shoes that they have been producing in fulfilment of their training. The celebrations were graced by the District Commissioner for Mzimba. Also in attendance was the District Youth Officer and the Traditional Authority Inkosi Mzukuzuku. International Youth Day is commemorated to raise awareness and draw attention to issues that affect the youth.
