By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, September 13, Mana: Esther Chakhumbira, 30, who comes from Mkukula Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkukula in Dowa District and does not walk, work and talk hence fails to do various daily activities on her own such as; eating, bathing as well as visiting the toilet Che stays with her mother and a brother.
Esther’s condition prompted one of the country’s renowned Chewa socialite grouping dubbed Ochewa Ofewa to visit her on Saturday with support which among other things included; food items, soap, mattress and beddings all worth over K300, 000.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) after donating the items, one of the Ochewa Ofewa members who represented Chairperson of the grouping, Amon Sungandeu, said they decided to visit Chakhumbira after learning about her situation on social media.
“We came up with the idea of visiting Chakhumbir after seeing her picture which went viral on social media recently. Her story touched everyone in our group to an extent that we mobilized funds that helped us to buy different items that have been given to her today,” Sungandeu said.
Chakhumbira has since her birth 30 years ago never walked, work or talk and she has never been outside world as she has been bedridden since birth.
In September 2019, Ochewa Ofewa also visited Byzanzi Juvenile Prison in Dowa District where among other things cheered prisoners and donated various items worthy over K500, 000.
Welfare Chairperson of the grouping, Ella Chakaniza, said the group is devoted to reach out and support the vulnerable in the country.
“As a group, our mission is to reach out to a lot of vulnerable people who are lacking support. Our visit here today marks not the end of our work as we are looking forward to assist more vulnerable people across the country,” she said.
In his remarks, Esther’s brother Maupo Chakhumbira commended Ochewa Ofewa for the gesture describing it as timely.
“I am glad with the coming of Ochewa Ofewa to support my sister. Their assistance has come at a right time as it will help to address the challenges which my sister facei on her daily life,” Chakhumbira said.
He also appealed to other well-wishers to support Esther saying as a family they struggle to provide her with basic necessities such as: food, clothes and soap just to mention a few.
Ochewa Ofewa was founded in 2016 as WhatsApp group. Currently, the group has over 200 members and it sources its funds through members’ monthly contributions.