Fertilizer’s Prices Affect Food Availability at Children’s Centre

By Flates Banda………

Sisters at St Magdalene of St Dennis Paris in Rumphi district have expressed worry over exorbitant prices of fertilizers, saying their annual farming will not be enough for them to give physically challenged children basic needs.

This was revealed on Saturday 25 March 2023 when Catholic Scout of Mzuzu Diocese cheered up the physically challenged children with assorted items like cooking oil, soap, sugar, plastic basins, and toilet papers just to mention some.

Sister Clementina Mwale said they grow their own food like maize, groundnuts, and beans in order to feed the children.Sister said the food is not enough to take them through a year since they did not have enough money to buy expensive fertilizers to apply in their maize field.

“To take care of somebody you need to have something that you can feed them, especially food which is a very big challenge here at the center,” said Mwale.

Mwale then appreciated Catholic Scout Mzuzu Diocese for visiting and cheering up the children as it is very difficult to take care of the children if there are not enough resources.

Chairperson for Mzuzu Diocese Scout Sylvester Chunga said they planned to have charity work at St Magdalene because of principles that the scout recommends which are duty to God, to the country, to others, and to oneself.

“When we look at duty to others, as scout youth from various parishes we have a responsibility to help our fellow citizens of this country that is why we planned to have this charity work here at St Magdalene,” said Chunga.

Mzuzu Diocese Scout Coordinator Noel Rodgers Mtonga said it is their duty to do charity work as one way of fulfilling the second pillar in scouting which is why all members of scouts Mzuzu Diocese contributed various assorted items to help the community

.“We believe that some of these contributions that we have made will alleviate some of the challenges that our sisters are facing here at St Magdalene and the little we have contributed will have an impact to care for these children,” said Mtonga.

St Magdalene started in 1997 but currently is raising and educating 21 physically challenged children of age range 8 to 17years at St Dennis Parish in Rumphi district.