By Bishop Witmos:
In the spirit of the festive season, First Lady Monica Chakwera hosted elderly women to a party in Mangochi District yesterday.
She said she decided to court them because they were a well of knowledge, linking members of the old generation to those of this generation.
Chakwera added that, as people who keep information, the elderly were key to the task of shaping grandchildren, who she said had been overtaken by things that make rounds on the internet.
“I decided to invite you to the State Lodge during this period of Christmas because I consider you as my friends. We are here to celebrate together but, most importantly, to share stories as we used to do.
“I, therefore, want to encourage you to reflect on how our grandchildren are living in this modern era of social media, which is also bringing other negative effects. As we used to do in the past, let us continue having ample time with our grandchildren and share with them stories that would assist them to grow up with good values,” she said.
She urged the country’s senior citizens to also encourage members of the new generation to be going to school.
“I have a heart for the girl-child because of my personal experience, where I struggled to access education services. Had my parents not been focused, I could not excel but I managed [to go to school] up to the tertiary education level. As such, you must encourage your grandchildren to work hard in class,” she said.
Through her Shaping Our Future Foundation, the First Lady is assisting vulnerable girls through the provision of school amenities.
The First Lady also bemoaned some community members’ tendency of associating elderly people with witchcraft, saying, rather, they are a blessing to society.
Apart from interacting with the elderly, Chakwera offered them Christmas gifts.
Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Minister Jean Sendeza echoed the First Lady’s sentiments, saying there was a need for citizens to appreciate the elderly’s contribution to society.
On her part, Presidential Adviser on Women and Child Development Dorothy Chirambo commended the First Lady for promoting the welfare of elderly people in the country.
Over 120 elderly women from Chikoko Bay and other areas of Mangochi attended the event.—Mana
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