St. Mary’s School for the Visually Impaired Faces Food Shortage, Inadequate Funding

Malawi-As prices of maize continue to rise in most parts of the country, St. Mary’s School for the Visually Impaired in Karonga faces challenges of inadequate food, which has contributed to some learners with low vision being sent back to their homes and accessing education in schools closer to their homes, writes Wezzie Mwangonde.

According to Akimu Kayira, the teacher in charge, learners at this school did not report for a period of three weeks due to food shortage, and there is also a fear that they might not finish the term.

Despite receiving funding of K150,000 per month from the government, which covers food, maintenance works and monthly salary for two matrons, the funding does not meet the diet of the learners because they are always served with Mugaiwa, beans and soya pieces.

Kayira says the school mobilizes parents to contribute K5,000 per term, but not all parents manage this contribution.

Due to the little funding, they only have one matron, and all learners with low vision have been sent back to their homes.

The school is appealing to well-wishers who can assist them with money or food.

"Inadequate food is really a challenge because there is a need for food that covers all learners from the beginning to the end of the term. Food scarcity is a major issue, and we ask that well-wishers assist us with clothing and shoes because the majority of us come from low-income families," said Sangaluishe Kayange, one of the students.

St. Mary’s School for the Visually Impaired accommodates learners from Chitipa and Karonga districts, and currently has 20 learners.