REPORT ON HIV/AIDS OPEN DAY ORGANISED BY SAMALANI YOUTH ORGANISATION IN
AREA 23
Reported by: Dezio Macheso
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On 8th April Samalani Youth Organization (SOCAYO) organized an
HIV/AIDS open day with support from NAC. The function was attended by
almost all age groups: children, young people and parents. There were
guests who attended the function. These include chiefs, National Youth
Council of Malawi, NICE, Police, Lilongwe City Council.
The main objective of the open day was to
promote meaningful community participation on HIV/IADS issues.
-
Activites
The Board Chairperson, Mr Samson Chaziya made the opening remarks. He gave
the background of the organization. SOCAYO was formed on 20th
June 2005 with major purpose to improve lives of orphans, youths,
vulnerable children and marginalized people for sustainable livelihood and
economic development.
The Organization is implementing as part of its programming the following
·
Pre-school and feeding children programs
·
HIV/AIDS interventions
·
Vocational Skills
·
Business Management Skills
·
After school programs e.g. part time classes
·
Secondary school full support to eight students
·
Youth and Reproductive Health Programs
·
Elderly support
Achievements
·
In 2008 they trained 33 youths in life skills with support from NAC.
·
They have trained over 50 youths in business Management Skills
·
They have trained 40 youths I vocational skills e.g. tailoring, carpentry
and joinery, knitting
·
Complied with the requirements of section 22 and 23 of the National Youth
Council of Malawi Act of 1996and then registered under the name Samalani
Youth Organisation
·
They have their own place where they are operating now
·
Partnering with larger organizations both locally and internationally e.g.
Sussex University in the United Kingdom.
Senior Group Village Headman Lita
applauded the work that is being carried out at samalani. She stressesed
that chiefs and their community recognize and appreciate the work being
carried out by SOCAYO.
In
her remarks, the AIDS Coordinator at Lilongwe City Council focused on how
HIV can be prevented by young people and prevention of mother to child.
She also stressed the need and importance of HIV testing
Representative of the ED commended the work taking place at Samalani. He
urged more youths to get involved in the activities taking place at
Samalani and even form youth organizations focusing on other themes such
as economic development, environment conservation. He pledged continued
support of NYCOM to the organization and the youth of Malawi.
There was also
Drama
The function pulled a crowd of people within the community and around.
Coming in of partners added credibility of Samalani’s existence and work
The Board Chair for Samalani invited all present at the function to attend
another event organized by Samalani on 14th April 2011. On that
day they are launching income generating activities (IGA). Use of drama,
traditional dances and music performances did attract people to patronize
the function. Those strategies worked well for purpose of making the
function more entertaining while at the same time aiming to raise
awareness on HIV/AIDS.