Chisa Free Nursery Schools youths clean Kwisa Market

Youths from Chisa Free Nursery Schools in Kwisa Balaka on Tuesday cleaned Kwisa Market after vendors and community members expressed fear the facility could become a source of waterborne diseases because of poor water and sanitation hygiene. Speaking after the cleaning exercise Chisa Youth Chairperson Mustafa Khomani said youths should take a leading role in water and sanitation hygiene issues. “The market operates without a functioning toilet, running water and rubbish pit and the surrounding was dirty with bushes all over. We decided as Chisa Free Nursery Schools youths to help with cleaning the market because if there is an outbreak of diseases it will affect the youth too,” Khomani said. Balaka civil society organizations network chairperson John Bamusi said Chisa Free Nursery Schools has set the pace and community should follow the example by conducting regular cleaning exercises. Balaka district council youth officer Godfrey Mpinganjira said one of the thematic areas of the ministry is to encourage young people to take part in community initiatives. “The youth should take a leading role in community initiatives and projects because it instils a sense of ownership,” he said.