Maize Mill, A Symbol of Civilization

 

The Program Officer at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Zdenek Suda, launched the St. John Bosco Secondary School Maize Mill Project at Champira, Mzimba District of the Northern Region of Malawi on June 22, 2006. The maize mill will serve over 1,500 people in Champira including 350 students, staff and surrounding villagers that had until then trekked long distances to grind maize. The U.S. Embassy paid for a complete maize mill and electricity installation amounting to $8,750.

Over 200 people, mostly students, were present at the handover ceremony. Among the distinguished personalities representing a cross-section of the Mzimba population were administrative and security officials, Traditional Chiefs, religious and other civil society leaders. In their respective welcome addresses, the Mzimba community registered their votes of thanks to the U.S. Embassy and the American taxpayers for the grant and prayed that they continue “… their humanitarian gesture for the sake of the poor.” The Catholic Education Secretary for Mzuzu, Mr. Joseph Longwe, representing the Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese described the maize mill as “A symbol of development and civilization.”

Representing the Ambassador at the colorful handover ceremony was Zdenek Suda, Program Officer at USAID Lilongwe. In his address to students and local population, Zdenek said Self-Help grants typically target small communities Champira, which he described as “building blocks of society.” He added that it was not a mistake that the project’s primary beneficiaries were students, future leaders of Malawi. Zdenek hoped that the school community would receive the durable gift in good faith and use it to move their school and their entire nation of Malawi forward. The handover ceremony was graced by a poem, drama and traditional dances.

 

By Tony Ayuninjam, Self-Help Fund Administrator