Inadequate funding cripples MAP activities

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR 

                Dzinkambani admiring the newly donated tricyles in Blantyre



Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) says it is failing to implement some of its core programmes because of the inadequate funding government allocated the organization in its 2010/11 financial year, the organization’s Rehabilitation Services Manager, Alex Dzinkambani has said.

Dzinkambani made the remarks on Saturday when an Austrian charity, Austria Support Malawi, donated 10 tricycles to the organization.

Government had this year reduced by more than 50 percent the allocation to MAP, a development that has crippled to the operations of the organizations. In its 2009/10 financial year, the organization was allocated K236 million, but was this year reduced to K110 million.

“This is too little comparing to the number of programmes we are supposed to carry out. MAP needs more than K35 million just for appliances only in a year. Now if you take into account the salaries of our workforce of 100 people, definitely you’ll see that we are left with nothing for implementing our core programmes,” Dzinkambani said.

“Malawi has about 300,000 people who have some forms of physical disabilities. Of these, 50 percent are children of school-going ages who desperately need our support so that they are empowered to go to school,” Dzinkambani explained.

The manager, therefore, commended an Austrian charity, Austria Support Malawi, for donating 10 tricycles to MAP. Dzinkambani stated that the donation was important in that it will empower beneficiaries to actively take part in socioeconomic activities in their locations.

MAP has already handed over the tricycles to beneficiaries who came from Blantyre, Neno and Thyolo.



  Austrian benefactors with one of beneficiaries



Meanwhile, Austria Support Malawi has pledged to continue providing assistance to people with disabilities in the country through MAP.

“When we go back home, we shall fundraise again so that many more people with disabilities can receive assistance in terms of wheel-chairs, clutches and other items,” said Katharina Koch, one of the officials from the Austrian charity.

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