Malawians in US urged to help JB in eradicating poverty
The Malawian Ambassador to the United States of America (USA) Stephen Matenje has asked Malawians in the American Diaspora to espouse a new sense of patriotism and loyalty to their country in order to help the new administration of President Joyce Banda achieve its highest priority of poverty eradication.
Ambassador Steve Matenje made the plea in Washington DC last Saturday night at a dinner dance organized by the Malawi Washington Association (MWA) as part of events marking Malawi’s 48thIndependence celebrations.
“Let’s all join the President in her efforts to address the various issues affecting Malawi, especially poverty. Let us all take responsibilities to help our country in fighting against poverty. Malawi is for all of us to develop,” the Ambassador implored all Malawians in the not only in United States but everywhere in the diaspora.
Open doors
The Malawian diplomat to Washington said that the Malawian Embassy in the US is open at all times to all Malawians living or visiting the United States.
However, Matenje commended the Malawians in the US for living in harmony, adding that he is always happy to be part of such a harmonious and closely-knit community.
“I am very happy that we as Malawians live as one people. I implore you all to love one another and live in synchronization for together we can help in the development of our country despite the fact that we are far away from home,” he said.
Matenje said the Malawian Embassy in the US is for Malawians regardless of political affiliation or religious beliefs adding that there is only one Malawi for all Malawians.
President Banda during his visit to the United Kingdom and USA advised all Malawian diplomats working in Malawian embassies across the globe to open up to all Malawians without looking at their political colours saying embassies are government offices and not political party offices.
Facilitating role
Asked to explain on what his mission was doing in tandem with government’s vision, Matenje pointed out that his entire diplomatic mission would like to play a facilitating role to Malawians wishing to invest at home in the socio-economic sector.
“We are here to represent our country to the American Government but at the same time we are here to work with our citizens helping them and facilitate for them to invest in Malawi. Our doors are open and we encourage Malawians to use the Embassy as their conduit to invest back home,” said Matenje.
Matenje stated that his mission is happy to provide guidance and guidelines to Malawians as well as Americans wishing to invest in Malawi.
Cordial relationship
The Malawian envoy further said the Embassy has already held discussions with the executive committees of the Malawi Washington Association as well as the Malawi Washington Women’s Association as part of a drive to solicit views from Malawians in the Diaspora on how best they can help the Banda administration realize its vision of poverty eradication.
The Malawi Envoy to Washington also hinted that his mission intends to reach out to all Malawians in the United States through its website and the social media with a view to harnessing a cordial and warm exchange of ideas between Malawians and their government.
He explained: “In spite of limited finances, the Embassy still wants to embark on mission to visit all Malawians across the United States,”
Matenje observed that equipped with diverse opinions which will be exchanged in the consultations with Malawians, his Mission will be better placed to advise government accordingly.
The celebrations started on the Independence Day July 6th with a panel discussion conducted by MWA at the Malawi Embassy in Washington and continued with a family picnic in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Malawians from all over the United States defied the sweltering summer weather to grace the auspicious occasion.
Other activities at the picnic include soccer and other games.
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