By Alice Sitima
In a continued effort to strengthen security within Dowa District, the Officer-in-Charge of Dowa Police Station, Mr. Almakio Daka, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), visited the Grace Alliance Center in Mvera, Traditional Authority Chiwere.
The Center provides essential services including religious, education, and healthcare to the surrounding communities.
The visit was made at the invitation of Grace Center Director Cullen Roller, who aimed to assess ongoing developmental initiatives and engage in discussions surrounding security concerns at the facility.
During the meeting, the OC commended the center’s impact and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to safeguarding the area.
He emphasized the strategic importance of the institution and the need for robust security measures to deter criminal activity.
Daka further pledged to organize meetings with local leaders to revitalize community policing structures as a key strategy in crime prevention.
In her remarks, Cullen Roller expressed gratitude for the police’s support and shared insights on existing challenges. She voiced concern over increasing rates of absenteeism among school-age children, despite the Center providing meals and necessary resources.
Roller pointed out that such trends could threaten the sustainability of future development projects.
The Grace Alliance Center currently operates a kindergarten and primary school serving learners from Standard 1 to 7, charging a modest fee of K1,000 per term.
Traditional Authority Chiwere applauded Roller’s commitment to community development and promised to mobilize local leaders to encourage school attendance, emphasizing education as a cornerstone for a better future.
The visit concluded with a site tour, where community members joined in appreciating ongoing projects, including the construction of a surgical theatre.
