ROGER FEDERER OPENS CBCC, MEETS VICE PRESIDENT

 Tennis star Roger Federer on Monday had an audience with Vice President Saulos Chilima at Capital Hill in Lilongwe before proceeding to Lundu where he officially opened Lundu Community-Based Childcare Centre (CBCC).

During the meeting, the Vice President thanked the Roger Federer Foundation for the financial support the organization offers and said it is helping Malawi to improve Integrated Early Childhood Development services delivery to Malawian children, which in turn improves lives and the well-being of poor and vulnerable children aged 0 to 8 years.

“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to you sir personally and your organization for the financial support which you give to Malawi for the integrated Early Childhood Development Program in Malawi. I am reliably informed that your organization is supporting a 10 year Comprehensive Early Childhood Development Programme in the six districts of Nsanje, Machinga, Rumphi, Chitipa, Lilongwe and Ntchisi,” he said

The Vice President also added that it is pleasing to note that the Roger Federer Foundation through Action Aid International, UNICEF and other development partners are supporting government.

“Children are the future of Malawi. I therefore, urge development partners to support Malawi Government’s efforts by investing heavily in Integrated Early Childhood Development to improve the delivery of ECD services. The capacity building of caregivers, centre management committees, parents, construction of ECD infrastructure and provision of nutritious meals to children among others require complementing the efforts,”

During the meeting, the tennis star said he was very happy to be in Malawi and was grateful for the warm welcome he had received since his arrival.

After visiting Capital Hill, Federer and Minister for Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati officially opened Lundu CBCC in Area 25.

During the opening ceremony, Federer said, “that we can celebrate today the opening of Lundu CBCC is not my merit. It is thanks to you, dear community of Lundu. It is mainly your efforts, your joint forces which made this quality education centre possible, mentored and supported by our partner Action Aid. You have contributed with land, construction material, labor and the result is this wonderful building. The caregivers who will educate your children in the centre are also coming from your community. Please keep your commitment high in order to retain this quality centre, in order to motivate the caregivers. We count on you.”

In her remarks, the minister responsible said it is important that children receive quality care during their early years and thanked the Roger Federer Foundation for supporting the government.

“The financial assistance from the Roger Federer Foundation also supports training of ECD workers such as caregivers, mentors, supervisors and members of Centre Management Committees and the satellite centres. What is also pleasing is the fact that the financial assistance from Roger Federer foundation also supports health and sanitation, nutrition, stimulation materials and transition management,” she said.