Manchester Police to train Malawi cops on street children – Retrak charity

Former Manchester Police Chief, Peter Fahy, on a three day visit to Malawi on Tuesday met Inspector General of Police Lexten Kachama where he expressed his concern over how the Malawi Police handles the street kids.

Sir Peter Fahy, the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police now CEO of Retract charity is visiting Malawi
Sir Peter Fahy, the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police now CEO of Retrak charity is visiting Malawi
Sir Peter Fahy, Charles Gwengwe, and Maggie soon after landing at the KIA
Sir Peter Fahy, Charles Gwengwe, and Maggie soon after landing at the KIA

Sir Peter, a police officer since 1981, has been Greater Manchester’s chief constable since 2008 before resiging to become chief executive of the African street children’s charity Retrak.

Speaking during the meeting at Area 30 in Lilongwe, Fahy who was accompanied by his Director of Programmes Maggie Crewes, and Chisomo Children’s Club Executive Director, Charles Gwengwe, said it is not proper for the Police to arrest street kids.

Fahy said the best way to proceed on the matter is to work with child protection agencies like Chisomo Children’s  Club (CCC), who engages the kids.

“Arresting the kids is not solution,” said Sir Fahy.

During the meeting, Fahy promised for inclusive exchange programmes with Manchester Police.

According to Fahy, who is also a professor of criminal justice at Manchester University, Manchester Police will be training Malawi Police on how to deal with the street children.

In his remarks IG Kachama commended Fahy for the commitment to train the Malawi Police.

Kachama instructed Commissioner responsible for community policing to take up the issue directly from Fahy.

Former United Kingdom Police Chief who is also a street kids NGO,  Retrak International Chief Executive Officer,  and Professor of Criminal Justice at the Manchester University, Sir Fahy is

Speaking to Nyasa Times at the Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) during their arrival at KIA Fahy said  he was very happy to visit Malawi for the first time.

Fahy described the country as ‘indeed a warm  heart of Africa.’

Sir Peter Fahy is visiting Malawi in his capacity as new Retrak CEO, a role he assumed after his retirement from the position of Manchester Police chief.

Charles Gwengwe, who is also Chisomo Children’s Club Executive Director,  said while in the country, Sir Fahy met various Government officials who included officials from the Ministry of Gender, Home affairs and  Inspector General of Police.

Gwengwe said the visit by Fahy was  very important because it has  helped him and other international agencies to appreciate challenges that the street kids are facing.

Other officials Fahy is expected to meet include director of Action Aid Malawi, UNICEF officials and other partners.

Retrak ‘s vision is to create a  world where no child is forced to live on the street and works to transform highly vulnerable children’s lives; preserve families; empower communities and give each of them a voice.

The charity Retrak adopted Chisomo Children’s Club in 2013 and has since then reached out to over 2000 street connected children , children in conflict with the law, child prostitutes, trafficked children and  child labour over the past two years with Retrak’s mentorship and support.

Chisomo Children Club has so far  embarked on preventive programs on street kids through Self Groups Approach and have so far formed 46 groups in Blantyre and Lilongwe using a USD1.9Million, five year pact.

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Lackson Likama
Lackson Likama
8 years ago

The promme should also reach out to street children in rural growth centres not only in cities

salador saan
salador saan
8 years ago

hehehe. train malawian police? that’s funny. some things just can’t be done my friend.

Patriot
Patriot
8 years ago

You should train them on investigation matters, like we want to know WHO KILLED NJAUNJU?

Jahmes
Jahmes
8 years ago

The streets are different, The activities of these kids are different. The culture is different. In any case Malawi police should teach Them how to handle such matters. But as always the Whiteman is always the teacher in all the things. In Manchester city you have mainly drug addicts etc. In Malawi you have mainly orphans and beggars in the street. The man just came to collect money . How much re you paying them. What street is in area 30, that attracts street kids?. Don’t confuse our minds here. A professor should come up with solutions for not having… Read more »

mathanyula
mathanyula
8 years ago

Welcome Peter Fahy. But dont bring homosexual ideas in Malawi. Watch out.

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