How I like the idea of Beautify Malawi (BEAM) founded by Malawi’s First Lady. It is an interesting project whose knowledge I am only getting as I read and hear about it.
Malawi is indeed a beautiful country. Visitors often acknowledge its natural beauty. Yet what is really lacking is the enhancement of the beauty. I guess that is what the First Lady is aiming at. Good move and keep it up.
Earlier this week, the Daily Times newspaper featured the “First and Second Ladies” leading in the clean-up exercise at Kasungu Boma. The picture though caught my attention.
I immediately wondered at the seriousness of the cleaners. They were so smartly dressed that I wondered at the aim of the leadership. Leadership works better if you are really part of the game not just showing up.
Then I imagined how much that show must have cost government (oops but BEAM). The Ladies drove over 130 km to Kasungu with an Entourage so must have incurred transport expenses, allowances for themselves, the entourage and hosts-typical of Malawi.
I imagined how much the Cleaning itself may have cost and how much space really needed cleaning to even bother the Ladies to show up simply to encourage people to clean own surroundings. Wouldn’t it have been cheaper if BEAM just gave Money to Kasungu to clean up?
Then I recalled that the same institution had received funding from somewhere towards its activities. I marvel at how easy some institutions find money when some heavily struggle and still not get any.
I really like the idea of making Malawi clean but may be the approach needs revising. It is a great initiative that needs all the support and would add a lot of value to Malawi.
I noticed in the same newspaper a report that two of its board members had resigned. The editors seem to have deliberately published the stories on the same page to communicate something.
By the way what are the Ward Councillors and the Mayors doing about the filth? Should they really have to wait for the First Lady to lead them to clean up?
So while I am proud of the First Lady leading in the campaign beautifying Malawi, I am hoping that the messenger won’t need any beautifying eventually.
As usual, these are my personal loud thoughts!
Entries by Ndagha
