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Chikwawa NGO Pashello Charitable Trust's Feeding Program Reduces Challenges Faced by Less Privileged in Ngabu
Chikwawa NGO's Feeding Program Helps Less Privileged in Ngabu: Pashello Charitable Trust, writes Moses Thole.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi-The introduction of a feeding program by Chikwawa-based non-governmental organization Pashello Charitable Trust has helped reduce challenges faced by less privileged people in Ngabu, according to Felia Malola, Executive Director for Pashello Trust, writes Moses Thole.
The program, which started in June last year, benefits people with physical disabilities, the elderly, orphans, and those with mental illnesses who have been begging at Makande and Ngabu markets in Chikwawa.
"The aim of the feeding program is to provide the less privileged, including the aged, people with disabilities, and others in the community with daily meals. We noticed that many people have turned themselves into beggars due to hunger and poverty, so we would like to reduce the number of beggars in this area," Malola disclosed to AfricaBrief.
Mary Felo, an elderly woman from Kulima village in Traditional Authority Ngabu, expressed her gratitude for the program, stating, "In our Ngabu community previously there was no organization that offered a feeding program. I am thanking Pashello Charitable Trust management for this help. Almost 10 months now have gone by without me buying food at my house following the introduction of this feeding program where we are provided with meals every day.”
John Beka from Misongwe village in the district echoed Felo's sentiments, stating that since he does not have any source of income, the feeding program was a timely intervention.
"I am about 60 years old, I don't have any source of income to rely on. Year in and year out, I have been suffering from hunger, so when I heard that Pashello Charitable Trust has introduced a feeding program and that I was going to be one of the beneficiaries, I just thanked the Almighty Heavenly Father," Beka said.
"What the organization has done is break the record of charity work here. We have never had any organization give us food like this. We eat nsima served with beans, sometimes rice served with meat—a development that has as well helped to improve the health of our bodies," added Beka.
The organization's move has excited Village Headman Patrishu.
"In my village alone, there are almost 40 beneficiaries under the feeding program. It has really proven to be fruitful since many less privileged people have found themselves a new home at Pashello Charitable Trust," revealed VH Patrishu.
According to Felia Malola, Director of the Organization, so far the program is helping almost 200 people, including in the villages of Patrishu, Tsabeta, Misongwe, Faiti, Kulima, Mkuzi, Chimpambana, and Mphamba, among others, under Traditional Authority Ngabu in Chikwawa district.
Meanwhile, the number of beggars in Makande and Ngabu Markets has decreased as more people flock to Pashello Charitable Trust to receive free food.
According to Malola, the organization is planning to feed over 500 people by the end of 2023. Besides providing free food, Malola says her organization plans to construct houses on the campus for homeless people in the area.
She has since appealed to well-wishers to support the program, citing that the NGO has no fixed funding.
Pashello Charitable Trust was introduced in 2011 with the aim of carrying out charity activities in the Shire Valley districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje.