TNM gives youth NGO ICT equipment: Commits K4.8m annually for helpline airtime
Malawi’s premier mobile phone service provider TNM has donated set of computers worth K2.1 million to Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) to be used in its help line call centre.
The mobile phone company has been financing YONECO’s toll free national helpline, dating way back from 1998. The national helpline is mainly used by the country’s youths to get counselling as well as to report child abuses in communities surrounding the city of Zomba and other districts in Malawi.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at YONECO offices in Zomba, TNM Head of Marketing Sobhuza Ngwenya said the youth form a critical component of their clientele and are the backbone of Malawi’s economic growth.
He said however, most youths are vulnerable to abuse of different forms and it holds that they be protected in order to nurture a bright future for them.
“One of YONECO’s commitments is to empower youths, women and children. As a Malawian company we realise that the future of this country lies in the hands of the youths and our partnership with YONECO is meant to provide a better environment for our youths to grow in. This donation therefore aims to support YONECO’s interventions in ensuring a better future for our children,” he said.
Ngwenya said the donation of computers compliments additional support that TNM has been rendering the NGO since 1998.
He said TNM has been meeting airtime costs for the management of the helpline. Annually the mobile phone company with a subscriber base of more than 2 million people provides airtime worth K4.8 million.
“Every month, we provide airtime worth K400 000 meant for the toll free helpline. The helpline makes a difference in the lives of abused children and as a company we are pleased to be part of this noble task,” he said.
In his remarks YONECO board chair professor Dixie Maluwa Banda hailed TNM for supporting the organisation since 2008.
“ TNM has made significant contribution to this organisation since we launched our partnership in 2008 and we don’t take their support for granted’” Banda said
YONECO is a support organisation for youths with special focus on youth counselling, support of vulnerable youth and street children.
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