By Durell Namasani
First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera has appealed to the elderly in the country, to consider assisting their grandchildren to grow with good values and culture.
Speaking when she hosted the elderly women within Mangochi Boma on Tuesday, Madam Chakwera said, as people who are custodians of culture, the elderly are crucial for shaping their grandchildren with good morals.
“I decided to invite you here at the State Lodge in this Christmas season, because I consider you as my friends. We are here in order to celebrate together, but most importantly, for us to share stories as we used to be doing in the past.
“I encourage you to reflect on how our grandchildren are living in this modern era, let us continue having ample time with our grandchildren and share them stories that would assist them to grow with good values,” she said.
She urged the senior citizens in the country to encourage their grandchildren to pursue education, in order for them to excel in life.
Through her ‘shaping our future foundation’, the First Lady is assisting vulnerable girls with school amenities.
The First lady also bemoaned the tendency by some community members who associate senior citizens to witches, saying that they are rather a blessing to the society, as God loved them to stay for more years.
Apart from interacting with the elderly, the First Lady also provided them with Christmas gifts.
Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza echoed with the First Lady, by challenging communities to change their negative mindset towards the elderly.
In her remarks, Presidential Advisor on Women and Child Development, Dorothy Chirambo commended the First Lady for being exemplary in promoting the welfare of the elderly in the country.
Over 120 elderly women around Chikoko Bay and other areas in Mangochi attended the gathering.
