Page 24 - WATER SECTOR MAGAZINE VOLUME 3

TWESA SANITATION DEMONSTRATION

STAND ESTABLISHED IN KARONGA

By STAFF WRITER selling different products in the market sanitation practices; facilitate the
are not strictly categorized according to formulation of By-laws that will enforce
Despite conducting a number of Clean the products they are selling as such it is good sanitation and hygienic practices;
Campaign activities in the town of hard to monitor them to ensure they keep and lobby various stakeholders to join the
Karonga, sanitation has still remained their places clean); effort of improving Sanitation in the town
a very big problem around the town. • Lack of by-laws on sanitation of Karonga.
This has been due to a number of factors and hygiene;
according to the findings of an assessments • Inadequate improved waste The Demonstration Stand is comprised
carried out by TWESA. disposal system and latrines at the market; of a Car Park and a path with drainage
• Lack of knowledge on effects of systems on both sides. A committee of
TWESA Community Development poor sanitation and hygiene; 12 people (six men and six women) has
in conjunction with Karonga District • Transport for refuse collection been instituted to help TWESA officers
Assembly, Kayelekela Mining Company, was also noted to be a problem as the to monitor that the by-laws are being
NICE Trust, Malawi Red Cross Society, council is now relying on hiring a vehicle observed and all people doing their
The Salvation Army and the community for the purpose which contributes to businesses at this place are recognized.
of Karonga launched a “Keep Karonga inadequate waste management; and
Clean” initiative which aims at making the • Inadequate drainage system With the help of Karonga Town Council
town of Karonga clean and instilling in the within the town. officers, the Demonstration Stand has
society an understanding that to make the been designed to ensure that places that
town clean is everybody’s responsibility. As part of the activities in this “Keep are reserved for flowers, paths, parking
Karonga Clean” initiative, TWESA along and for other purposes serves the intended
The launch of the initiative took place with Karonga District Assembly has set purposes. Karonga District officers have
on 10th May, 2016 at Karonga main up TWESA Sanitation Demonstration been assigned the task of cleaning this
market park and was officiated by high Stand within the town of Karonga to act as site with TWESA monitoring activities
profile delegates including Paramount a Sanitation and Hygiene demonstration on daily basis to ensure that the place is
Chief Kyungu, Member of Parliament area where strict sanitation and hygiene always clean.
for Karonga South, four ward councilors, practices shall be implemented. This
district council officials and members of Sanitation Demonstration Stand would act TWESA intends to involve the
the community. as a learning site on how open places and participation of various stakeholders
those being used for various businesses in in this initiative. Taking advantage of
The assessment which TWESA carried the town need be maintained. the already existing relationship with
out revealed a number of problems WaterAid and Water Services Association
contributing to poor sanitation in the The overall objective of this unique and of Malawi (WASAMA), TWESA hopes
town of Karonga and these problems innovative initiative is to contribute that these stakeholders will be ready to
among them include: in a modest way in efforts to improve participate and provide support to the
sanitation and hygiene in the town. initiative in any way possible. TWESA
• People’s mindset that the will also take advantage of the close
responsibilities of keeping the town of The Demonstration Stand also has working relationship with Kayelekela
Karonga clean is a responsibility of the specific objectives such as sensitize and Mining Company and other Civil Society
council; civic educate the community of Karonga Organisations working in Karonga
• Disorderly allocation of sellers on importance of good sanitation and District to have the initiative work and
of different products at the market. (People hygiene; demonstrate appropriate achieve its objectives.

Paramount Chief Kyungu leading other traditional leaders, members of TWESA and Red The pathetic situation around Karonga
Cross Society officials in a sweeping exercise around the Karonga Town market marking Town market before the initiative
the launch of Keep Karonga Clean initiative
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latrines