By Burnett Munthali
Chief Social Welfare Officer in the Department of Child Affairs, Chimwemwe Njanji, has highlighted the critical role of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in shaping educational success. Speaking in Lilongwe during the handover of Chalowa Community-Based Child Care Centre (CBCC) today in Traditional Authority Khongoni, Njanji said, “ECD is the foundation. A strong start ensures better outcomes in primary and secondary education.”
The Chalowa CBCC, built by National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc in partnership with Yamba Malawi, is the third facility handed over this week as part of a larger initiative. The fourth CBCC, located in Mzimba, will be handed over tomorrow, marking the completion of a project involving four centres constructed at a total cost of K170 million.
Speaking during the ceremony, NBM’s Head of Corporate Banking, William Chatsala, affirmed the bank’s commitment to fostering grassroots education development. “If we get it right at this stage, it becomes easier to develop children as they grow,” Chatsala said.
Yamba Malawi’s Chief Programmes Officer, Carol Kulemeka, reinforced the importance of building strong educational foundations. She explained that empowering children at an early stage ensures long-term success in education and personal development.
This initiative is part of NBM’s broader corporate social responsibility programme, which focuses on enhancing early childhood education and promoting community development across Malawi. The collaboration with Yamba Malawi underscores the significance of partnerships in addressing educational challenges and improving opportunities for the country’s youngest learners.
The Chalowa CBCC and similar projects are expected to create lasting impacts by supporting children, families, and communities in accessing quality early childhood education.
