Abwenzi360 has ignited a beacon of hope with the introduction of the Arise Project, funded by AmplifyChange. Four villages, four senior group village heads – Therere, Kalulu, Chaonanjiwa, and Nkumaniza, under Traditional Authority Ngabu in Chikwawa – came together in a series of entry meetings. However, beneath the surface of anticipation, a common hesitation lingered, born from past disappointments with similar projects.
The voices of change echoed with shared struggles:
- Corrupted Justice System: Across all villages, a sinister issue surfaced – corrupt police officers obstructing justice, accepting bribes, and releasing perpetrators. The guardians of the law became accomplices in perpetuating injustice.
- Betrayal in Healthcare: Participants bemoaned corrupt health workers who continually falsify medical reports, particularly in cases involving underage victims or survivors of rape.
- Exploitation in Education: In the educational realm, corrupt teachers take advantage of the scarcity of educators in rural areas. They prey on underage girls, confident that repercussions were unlikely, given the critical shortage of teaching staff.
- Fleeting Support: A recurring theme was the absence of enduring support from organizations that initiated projects. The community felt abandoned once initial efforts concluded, leaving them vulnerable to the revival of harmful practices.
- Leaders as Culprits: Village chiefs, entrusted with upholding bylaws against child marriage, were accused turning a blind eye to the malpractices and of being perpetrators themselves. The very leaders meant to protect became complicit in perpetuating the issues they were meant to combat.
- Silent Suffering of Men: The untold stories emerged – men subjected to severe abuse in their households. Strikingly, there were no safe spaces for these victims to share their pain and seek the necessary help.
In response, Abwenzi360 pledged facilitate the identification of root causes and possible solutions. Their commitment is a guiding light, ensuring the village structures fulfill their responsibilities in combating these deeply ingrained malpractices.
The Arise Project, met with initial skepticism, has become a ray of hope. Communities, often overlooked, eagerly join hands with Abwenzi360. For some, it marks the first time an organization has extended its helping hand to their communities. Their collective efforts, previously limited, now gain momentum with the support they longed for.
Abwenzi360 stands as a catalyst for change, embarking on a journey towards lasting transformation. Together with the communities of Therere, Kalulu, Chaonanjiwa, and Nkumaniza, they paint a narrative of resilience, collaboration, and justice. Join us in breaking the chains!
#AriseWithAbwenzi360 #EndChildMarriage #BreakTheSilence #CommunityResilience #AmplifyChange #SRHR4ALL #GBVmustfall
