Ndizothekera (Floods prevention)

'Santy' initiates Girls' Peer Support Club to Curb COVID Pregnancies

COVID-19 has affected many facets of life and lately there have been reports concerning the rise of teenage pregnancies. Though reasons could vary from place to place depending on the different socio-cultural settings, many believe that the closure of schools as a measure of managing the spread of COVID-19 has significantly contributed to the rising numbers of teenage pregnancies. In Dedza, the district gender officer confirmed that ‘all men who impregnated and married young girls below the age of 18 during the COVID-19 pandemic period will be arrested.’

In Mangochi district where high numbers of teenage pregnancies have also been reported, a female artist ‘Santy’ initiated a girl’s peer support club to assist in fighting against the problem. The club which started as a casual conversation among girls has grown into a structured club with specific themes that are covered following the ‘GO GIRLS’ curriculum. 

Santy (Asante Asiatu Emment) described the club as effective in keeping girls engaged with relevant but interesting topics about sexual reproductive health, COVID-prevention, staying in school among several other topics. The club promotes the use of poems, games, stories and songs in describing experiences, challenges and solutions.

Santy is an alumnus of the Malawi Music Project, an annual event organized by Music Crossroads Malawi and Peace Corps Malawi which encourages the use of art to tackle social issues, learn more here Malawi Music Project. 

Santy also did a COVID-19 awareness song titled Tipewe COVID-19 

Some of her songs can be found here Santy Music

@Conservation Arts Malawi 2020

Art + ARCTIVISM  against Repression during the Covid-19 Crisis

Drawing the picture - COVID impacts

Primary school children in rural parts of Malawi normally get free meals at school; but, when the coronavirus pandemic forced schools to close in March 2020, families were left with the added cost burden for meals. The young learners receive hot porridge made from maize or soya bean flour mixed with salt and sugar. The aim is to increase enrollment for children who might fail to attend classes because of hunger in their families, and to meet the nutrition needs of the students.

Mawofozi, a drawing artist attempted to tell the story in this piece of art. The drawing describes both the frustration associated with closing of schools as well as the hope that we can keep our spoons and plates as schools are ready to reopen.

@Conservation Arts 2020; Art + Activism Against Repression During the Covid-19 Crisis, 

Open Society Foundations grant, Centre for Applied Human Rights - University of York (UK) 

 

#MaskUp meets #Mask4AllMalawi (Mandatory Mask wearing gazetted as law)

 #MaskUp meets #Mask4AllMalawi 

By Harold Kapindu

Covid 19 harshtags have flooded both the international and local social media. The most outstanding, or rather the ones that have attracted my attention are #MaskUp and #Mask4AllMalawi.

With the surge in Covid 19 cases, the new campaign under the harshtag #MaskUp is picking up momentum on social media with local celebrities and public figures joining the cause in order to promote consistent and proper wearing of face masks in public spaces. 

Founded and spearheaded by musician Piksy and arts promoter, social behavior change and media expert Edward Kankhomba, the movement so far has a number of musicians, fashion designers, poets and television personalities. 

Some notable names seen in a large e-poster that is updated on daily basis include Daniel Thom also known as  Super DT, a TV host/presenter at Mibawa TV, musician Vube and Youth Health activist Blesssings Banda. 

To join the movement, one simply has to wear a mask, take a picture and post it on social media with the MaskUp harshtag. The team then collects the pictures which are updated daily on the campaign's e-poster.

Also, advocating for the same cause, its another campaign dubbed Masks4AllMalawi aiming at producing and distributing made in Malawi community masks to the total population of 19 million.

The campaign has so far manufactured millions of Made-in-Malawi community masks and has reached 

a production rate of greater than 420,000 per day. 

As part of the #Masks4AllMalawi campaign’s aim to achieve universal mask coverage, the campaign has also provided 31,500 community masks to the Malawi Prison Service, enough for all prisoners and guards.

An analysis of the potential impact of Universal Mask Usage as part of a comprehensive overall solution, reveals some potentially startling figures.

For instance, in Hong Kong, where Voluntary Universal Mask Usage (VUMU) appears to be in operation, there have been 15 reported cases per 100, 000 population and 4 deaths, despite being bordered by China and having a densely populated population of 7.5 million. 

This compares to 272 reported cases per 100, 000 population in the UK where VUMU is not enforced.

Corona virus is real and wearing of masks prevent transmission from person to person.

Log in on your social media platforms and type #MaskUp #Masks4AllMalawi #StayHome #StaySafe #WashHands #Sanitize #SocialDistance

The debate on re-opening schools amidst COVID-19

Henry Kachaje wrote

I know others feel we shouldn't open schools yet. Here are some questions to think about:

1) Since April, while the kids are not in school, how are they being protected? Have we locked them up in our houses? Is there strict social distancing being practiced in our communities? 

(Please, don't think about ana akumpanda ku Namiwawa, Nyambadwe, Area 10, 43, (well to do residential areas) think about ana aku Mbayani, Chilomoni, Mtandire, Nchesi, (low income and crowded areas). Are these kids practicing Social distancing in these locations?

2) If we have not locked them up while they are not in school, how have they survived this far? What is it that they are doing that is keeping them safe?

3) What protective measures can we employ in the schools? 

To be honest, very little can effectively be done especially in crowded government schools. But we can continue with regular washing of hands, etc.

Let us move on with life. Let's open schools. We are creating far worse challenges by keeping schools closed indefinitely. 

Ma vaccine anayimatu, teenage pregnancies are on the rise, early child marriages, alcohol abuse, HIV aids spread... Unfortunately, we are not tracking these challenges but just focusing on the new disease,  Covid-19.

Then there are complex socioeconomic issues: Teachers starving, failing to pay rentals, private school owners failing to pay teachers, failing to service bank loans, businesses that service the education sector collapsying, etc.

Covid-19 is a complex problem but let us learn how to live with the virus. It has come to stay unfortunately, and life must go on.

Ndakatulo (Ndichani?)

 

Poem (What is this?)

 

A covid-19 pandemic "coincides?" with a teen pregnancy-demic.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases since schools closed stands at 3 665 as of Sunday (at 26.7.20) and in two districts alone (Mulanje and Mangochi) there are nearly 15, 000 teenage pregnancies that have been accounted for in the last few months. In Mangochi alone, at least 40 young girls are falling pregnant every day. 

Primary school learners under Senior Chief Dambe in Mchinji have petitioned traditional leaders demanding immediate action following rising cases of child marriages and teenage pregnancies in the area.

Through the petition presented to Senior Chief Dambe, the learners among other things are demanding quick review of by-laws and formulation of a special task force to deal with issues of child marriages and teenage pregnancies.

Meanwhile, the latest survey conducted early last month by education authorities in 13 primary school zones in the district revealed that about 80 girls became pregnant, while about 130 young boys and girls entered into marriage since the closure of schools in March this year due to Covid-19.

COVID-19 Prevention measures should seriously consider protecting the youth, Let's protect our young ones before they  become a demographic burden. They are a majority by the way.

Who is taking care of ARTISTS????

While footballers are being taken care of, whats there for artists that earn a living mostly through live shows?

COVID Stories Gallery

In the past four weeks COVID-19 infections and deaths have increased in Malawi. This has led to enforcement of preventive measures such as mandatory use of face masks, increased emphasis on minimizing movement and reducing carrying capacity in public transport vehicles. The media has been flooded with COVID stories, opinions, suggestions and questions 

Should we open Schools?

Are these COVID deaths?

No escaping

  

The Social Cost for Managing COVID-19

Analysing the COVID-19 crisis in developing countries like Malawi, it is apparent that managing the spread of the pandemic comes at a cost. This article aims at highlighting some of the social costs that as a society we are paying in order to manage COVID-19. There are so many social costs that we are paying as individuals and communities. This article will not highlight all the issues; rather it intends to bring awareness on some of the issues that may be overlooked due to the overwhelming nature of corona virus disease.

Psychosocial Trauma for Health Workers

Along with its high infectivity and fatality rates, the 2019 Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has

caused universal psychosocial impact by causing mass hysteria, economic burden and financial losses. Of specific interest in Malawi are the Health care workers. In addition to minimal wages, lack of equipment and inadequate training, health workers risk their lives every day taking care of infected patients, witnessing higher rates of death and experiencing breakdowns of protocol and support. These acute stresses could lead to mental health issues, yet therapeutic support is also not sufficient. We hope that our government will recognize these sacrifices and put in place measures that will support the mental wellbeing of health workers.

Blame Game between Urban and Rural Settlers

The origin and the spread pattern of COVID-19 in Malawi have the background related to foreign travel usually by the population in urban communities. This has created a notion where by rural settlers shifting the blame to the urban community. One interviewee bluntly said ‘the people that travel in and out of the country are responsible for the spread of COVID-19 in the country’. This line of thinking has seen some communities refusing to welcome their relatives from Republic of South Africa due to the fears that there are more COVID-19 cases where they are coming from. This comes barely weeks after 400 returnees escaped the quarantine centre creating fears of an outbreak within the urban community. Some of the returnees complained that the stadium (quarantine centre) had no water, no toilets and the government was not providing them with food https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-at-risk-400-returnees-escape-from-covid-19-test-centre-in-blantyre/

Now that the campaign period is over, new government has been sworn in, hopes are high that the new government will prioritize public safety and welfare. Hopes are high that COVID-19 management will be more effective.

Increased Cases of Teenage Pregnancies

Managing the spread of COVID-19 in Malawi comes at a high social cost especially for adolescent girls. Schools are still closed since 23^rd March, 2020. This new normal has definitely added the burden on parents. For most parents, sending kids to school is one way of making sure that their children are occupied with productive learning tasks. Having schools closed means that children stay at home most of the times, if they are not home parents get more worried.

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the number of women unable to access family planning, facing unintended pregnancies, gender-based violence and other harmful practices could skyrocket by millions of cases in the months ahead https://malawi.unfpa.org/en/news/new-unfpa-projections-predict-calamitous-impact-womens-health-covid-19-pandemic-continues-12

COVID-19 will disrupt efforts to end child marriage. Adolescence is a time of transitions that foster both challenges and opportunities. Indeed, choices made during adolescence not only have immediate consequences but also greatly influence the economic opportunities, health outcomes, and skill sets attained later in life, and yet it is the same period when social norms create pathways largely defined by gender. COVID-19 is creating loopholes for high rates of teenage pregnancies.

 

COVID-19 Overshadows Environmental Arts

By Harold Kapindu

The Swedish teenage environmentalist, Greta Thurnberg has become a global icon, dominating news headlines as she rubs shoulders with global leaders.

Greta has been organizing climate change demonstrations with a plea to decision makers to listen to science.

With the Covid 19 lockdowns and preventive measures in place, Greta as well as other environmentalists have greatly been affected in as far as reaching out to the common individual is concerned.

Although, some environmentalists have taken environmental conservation campaigns to online platforms, it has been equally tough in Africa, Malawi to be specific, where internet penetration is very low.

One of the conservation organizations, Conservation Arts, a brainchild of Conservation Music global has released a Corona virus poem by Zinja and Ed.

Released on Friday, 19th June, "What is this?" is a Corona virus awareness poem done in both Chichewa and English.

The audio was produced by D-Max while the video was shot and directed by Cricky Justice of Dazzle Media.

"COVID-19 is a mystery to many of us. We have more questions than answers. Conservation Arts tries to bring to light some of these troubling questions about COVID. What is this?," Zinja commented.

https://twitter.com/arctivists/status/1275028006029996035

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gZ9YYgKiIw

Recently, Movement for Environmental Action in partnership with Lilongwe Wildlife Trust on 5th June, 2020 joined the rest of the world in commemorating Environmental Day.

The two, also partnered with Conservation Arts Malawi and Association of Environmental Journalists on commemoration activities. 

The activities started with clearing of plastics at Lilongwe Wildlife Center along Lingadzi river and a live stream Biodiversity discussion.

"Our organization saw it fit to organize an activity that was both fun and positively impact the environment," Kelicia Chingeni, Movement for Environmental Action media and advocacy committee member said, adding that all Covid 19 preventive measures during the Lingadzi river up were observed.

"The Wilderness trails along the lingadzi river at Lilongwe Wildlife centre have so much garbage in particular plastic. Plastic is dangerous to both aquatic life and human life. 

"The event was a success as we had more people show up than we had planned, as seen from our social media pages, a  lot of Malawians are now aware of the importance of protecting the environment.

"Several environmental activists and organizations came together and exchanged notes on how best we can protect the environment and reach out to the masses so that they too work towards protecting the environment," Chingeni explained.

The theme for this year was investing in biodiversity: key to sustainable livelihoods. 

Some of the artists who participated in the Lingadzi river clean up included musician Vube, Zinja and photographer/martial artist Cricky Justice.

"Chindekha" hit maker, Vube called upon creatives to play a role in environmental conservation.

"Its more than spreading the messages through music. We should start participating in such activities," he said.

Conservation Arts Malawi further joined the world

as Earth Rise, a global digital mobilization that drives

actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and

demands bold action for people and the planet, went digital in commemorating Earth Day.

Conservation Arts released a song by Clifford Mkanthama discussing land restoration, a poem by Binge talking about the impacts of climate change and what we all can do, a poem by Zinja talking about how water is life.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries.

Movement for Environmental Action organization advocates for taking greener steps each day in every thing to protect the environment while Conservation Arts is an organization which uses artistry to address environmental challenges.

Soil amendment for nutritional wellbeing

Cricky hopes for the best after COVID-19

"Put passion first before money. If you have that hunger, you are going to overcome," advises the seemingly hungry Cricky.

Besides his personal life as a martial artist, Cricky Justice is one the country's most talented videographers who has worked with corporate companies and organizations such as Glam and Glory Cosmetics, Conservation Music Malawi and big artists such as Phyzix, Vube, Prince Martin.

He has covered big events such as Lake of Stars, Livingstonia Beach Festival and Its Only Entertainment's (IOE) Ghetto Festivals.

Cricky owns Dazzle Media which was previously operating from a small studio in area 49, Lilongwe.

The studio's small space made it a bit problematic for Cricky to operate freely, let alone attract groups such as music choirs and large families for a photoshoot either on a blue screen inside or outside the studio.

Earlier this year, Cricky moved in into a big studio in area 25 A where business started picking up. Then, the harsh reality struck following the confirmation of Covid 19 cases in Malawi.

"Despite the current pandemic, one of the good things that have happened is moving from a small to a bigger operating space. We had high expectations and we were hoping to reach a certain target.

"We were supposed to have a grand launch but up until now we still haven't formally launched our studios. We are just being cautious and taking precautions," Cricky says.

Fear and uncertainty grips the nation as the Malawi government had also contemplated a possible lockdown which was later challenged in court and blocked with an injunction obtained by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, HRDC.

HRDC argued that a lockdown would infringe people's rights because most Malawians work in the informal sector and survive on hand to mouth. Worse still, the Malawi government was unclear on how the poor would be cushioned.

For instance, elsewhere in the world, developed nations gave out cash and food stuffs to the underprivileged during lockdowns, something developing nations like Malawi couldn't manage to do.

Though the lockdown was blocked, people still live in fear and business isn't as usual.

Despite live events such as wedding ceremonies, festivals and shows slowly resuming, the initial cancellation has had a far reaching negative effect on creatives, specifically photographers like Cricky who  hustle from such events.

"The Covid 19 has greatly affected my hustle. Business has been bad because we are not getting any bookings for shows. The rentals are quite expensive, but I can't do otherwise because I have bigger dreams and I believe, this too, shall come to pass," Cricky explains.

He adds, "Corona virus has happened. We have to adapt and move on. Our economy has to get back on track."

His recent work is 'What is this?' video which talks about the mystery of COVID-19. composed and performed by Zinja and Ed. Follow the link below



https://youtu.be/1gZ9YYgKiIw

Environmentalists Engage Artists on World Environmental Day

By Harold Kapindu

Movement for Environmental Action in partnership with Lilongwe Wildlife Trust on 5th June joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Environmental Day.

The two partnered with Conservation Music Malawi artists and Association of Environmental Journalists on commemoration activities.

The activities started with clearing of plastics at Lilongwe Wildlife Center along Lingadzi river and a recorded discussion on Biodiversity on Zodiak Broadcasting Station as well as a live stream performance.

Kelicia Chingeni, Movement for Environmental Action media and advocacy committee member says, “The Wilderness trails along the lingadzi river at Lilongwe Wildlife centre have so much garbage in particular plastic. Plastic is dangerous to both aquatic life and human life.


Full article https://265entmw.live/environmentalists-engage-artists-on-world-environmental-day-activities/

Binge fights Corona through Music

https://youtu.be/cfpfz5tjkVI

MY COVID ROUTINE

Usually, I would wake up at 5:30 AM to get prepared for work; I prefer leaving much earlier to beat the traffic which gets heavy as parents are dropping their kids to different schools. I would catch a minibus where we would be packed like bags of Maize; traffic police would stop each minibus because there is always a higher probability that the bus has exceeded its carrying capacity. This did not bother me at all; my concern is getting to my working place in time.

As soon as the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed I could feel the panic and the fear all around me, people started paying more attention to anyone who would cough or sneeze. The government responded with a number of measures including instructing public transport operators to reduce their carrying capacity by half. This measure was met with outcry as the minibus operators’ responded saying that the measure will be a financial burden on their part. Almost everyone agreed that this measure is financially unsustainable. The government then responded by reducing the price of fuel, petrol price dropped from MK930 to MK690.50.

When I saw the report by Malawi's Institute of Public Opinion and Research (Ipor) about Malawians not afraid of Corona virus I was not shocked rather I started reflecting on how all the preventive measures are being followed by the public, including me. My COVID routine starts at 7:30 AM waking up, then a little bit of just staying in bed thinking of what to do till 8:30 AM. Then I remember of my errands for that day. After the morning check in with my supervisor I will usually check emails and any online activities I can accomplish at home, then I get ready to go to town. From my house to the bus depot I use a bike taxi, with the operator not wearing a mask and that makes me take out mine to avoid feeling out of place the whole way. I get in the minibus the driver charges me 50% more than what I used to pay, ‘these corona days we take half the carrying capacity’ the driver would say to justify the increase of the bus fare. After a short distance the drive will stop picking up more people and I usually argue against it, making the rest of the trip noisy and boring.

When I get to town I have to wash hands before I enter any and every shop. If I have to get money from the bank I first have to stand on a line outside the bank to wash my hand, then another line when I get inside. After I get some money I call a friend to meet up for a drink or two. At this point I am not in a mood of going home. Two beers end up being more then the next day I wake up very lazy, feeling less productive. COVID-19 has reduced the purpose of life, when will this end? What will happen if cases continue to increase? What is happening in the world? I ask myself these questions feeling helpless.

This story is based on experiences of Hezrone Tung’ande, compiled by Elias Gaveta through a project supported by an Open Society Foundations grant managed by the Centre for Applied Human Rights - University of York (UK) [Art + Activism Against Repression During the Covid-19 Crisis

Conservation Arts Malawi presents ‘What is this?’ (Chikuchitika ndi chani?) poems composed and performed by Zinja and Ed

https://www.malawi-music.com/Z/1705-zinja/8524-chikuchitika-ndichani

https://www.malawi-music.com/C/2892-conservation-music-malawi/8527-what-is-it