Embassy of Japan in Malawi
在マラウイ日本国大使館

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects

Handover Ceremony
The Project for the Construction of a Modern Kitchen at

Mulanje Vocational Training Centre and School for the Blind in Mulanje District

October 23, 2015

On Friday, 23rd October 2015, His Excellency Shuichiro Nishioka, the Ambassador of Japan to Malawi handed over a newly constructed kitchen and its equipment through the Project for the Construction of a Modern Kitchen at Mulanje Vocational Training Centre and School for the Blind in Mulanje under the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects. The occasion was graced by Mrs. Rosemary Makhumula, the Director of Administration in the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare.

Mulanje Vocational Training Centre and School for the Blind established in 1958, accepts people with visual impairment across Malawi. The school provides the trainees with trainings for life and literacy skills and vocational skills such as business management and agriculture. After the training courses, the trainees return to their schools workplaces and villages with their obtained knowledge and skills which will help them to integrate into the society with the ability to earn their own living.

With over 50 years of service, the school has some challenges of out-of-date school facilities. Particularly, the kitchen built in 1977 was small comparing to the current school enrollment. Moreover, due to constant breakdowns exacerbated by lack of spare parts, the kitchen equipment needed replacement. It is against this background that the Government of Japan approved a grant amounting to USD72, 298 (about K32 million) under the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects. The grant has facilitated the construction of a Modern Kitchen and the procurement of 4 pots and 2 freezers for the School. It is envisaged that this support will help to improve preparation and delivery of food which in return, will improve the learning environment at the school.

Speaking during the event, Ambassador Nishioka said, education is a powerful tool for one to attain economic independence. As such, education should be offered to everyone including people with disabilities. He also hoped that with an improved learning environment, the school will impart skills that would enable people with visual impairment to integrate into the society.