362kms charity walkers target 11 medical equipment for Kamuzu Central Hospital
The seven young Malawians, who are set to walk 362kms from the Capital City Lilongwe to Blantyre from May 30 to June 8 to raise funds that will enable them to buy 11 different medical equipment from India for the High Dependency Unit of Kamuzu Central Hospital’s paediatric ward.
The seven, Wanangwa Msutu, Duwa Mvula, Milca Mphepo, Tiyanjane Kapalamula, Ruth Gondwe, Ivy Chilingulo and Kalolo Msaka, target to raise MK22 million.
“We had a pitch night on 13th May at Crossroads Hotel where we invited various corporate executives from around Lilongwe to share about the cause. We made about K2,780,000 that night,” said the group’s spokesperson Deborah Mayuni.
They have already secured a quotation from Worldwide Pharmaceutical Distributors of India for one defribilitor, one ECG machine, six infusion pumps, four reusable raryngoscopes, four nebulisers, six oxygen concentrators, six patient monitors, five portable oxygen cylinders, five resuscitation bags and masks, 500 suction catheters and four suction machines.
The equipment comes with the manufacturer’s warranty against any defect and that engineers from India shall come to install and demonstrate proper use. First year service is for free with a maximum of three visits.
Dubbed ‘Strides of Hope’, this is a campaign by a charity organisation called Beyond You, whose founder is Duwa Mvula.
“We think as young people, we can also contribute to the development of our nation,” Kayuni said. “We may not at the moment have all the needed finances, but surely we can help mobilise the resources.
“We hope people will be compelled to give toward the cause, seeing as these guys have made such a sacrifice in hope for a better future,” she said.
The group is appealing to We the public to sponsor MK362 per kilometre in the campaign whose theme is #362forKCH. Contribution can be sent through Airtel Money, TNM Mpamba or bank deposits at Standard Bank, City Mall Branch, current account number 01400369314000 .”
The group will walk as far as they can on each of the 10 days and a support team will arrange their lodging and food. They will travel with a doctor on site as well as food and medical supplies.
Carlsberg has sponsored drinks and water, Hercules Gym in Area 10 in Lilongwe has been training the team for physical fitness to prepare them.
What they say:
“I was once that sickly kid. I want another also to be able to say that” –Tiyanjane
“Every child deserves to have someone believe in them” — Duwa
“I believe we are meant to live for so much more, we each have something we can give and something we can do” — Ruth
“To give hope to parents that their children have agreater chance to live” — Wanangwa
“To give every child a chance to be the best they can” — Kalolo
“If this can increase the chances of even just one child living, it is worth it” — Milca
“I believe I can make a difference. This may not change everything, but it will change something” — Ivy
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So these guy will go via Zomba? Lilongwe-BT via Zalewa is 315 Kms.
This is a good initiative koma analikukuti ogwira ntchito ku Sento achalira kale kuti adzabe equipment imeneyi akaike mma clinic mwawo! Shame!
As a first time mother, it was extremely heartbreaking when my daughter had malaria at 10 months. Fortunately, I am gainfully employed and I could afford to take my child to a good pediatrician. Not many are as fortunate as I am. In my own small way, I will contribute to this cause and I pray that another mother’s child will be saved. Thank you for this initiative.