Article by Lackson Mussa
Renew‘N’Able Malawi with support from Hivos is implementing the Green and Inclusive Energy project and is currently at an advanced stage of organizing a sports bonanza involving 8 secondary schools from Chileka and Lunzu from the 26th of October to the 9th of November, 2019.
The bonanza will feature both Football and Netball and the first round of games will be played at Chikuli Community Day Secondary School and at Lunzu primary school grounds on the 26th and 27th of October respectively. The main goal of the bonanza is to create and raise awareness around energy poverty issues affecting Malawian communities as well as educating on the available Green and Inclusive solutions available to them.
Sport is one of the common entertainment activities in most communities that brings together a large number of people to one central place particularly Football and Netball, hence the decision by RENAMA to engage the communities using such a sporting bonanza. It is hoped that as the matches are being played RENAMA staff and other partners will be actively engaging those patronizing the matches and creating awareness and sharing knowledge about Green Inclusive Energy solutions that are readily available to them.
During the Final games that will be played at Lunzu Primary School on the 9th of November 2019, dignitaries from different government departments and ministries are expected to be in attendance and the day will be filled with many fun activities, music, prizes as well as exhibitions from various partner organizations who will have an opportunity to showcase their work and products around Green and Sustainable energy in Malawi. This will also give those in attendance the opportunity to appreciate the products and solutions available to them and to ask questions to further their knowledge and understanding. People will also be able to buy the products on the same day. Some products that are expected to be exhibited include Solar lamps, Cleaner Cookstoves, Sustainable fuels, and many others.
According to RENAMA’s Advocacy and Communication officer Kenneth Mtago, this will be the first bonanza being organized by the Hivos funded GIE project in civic educating people on the benefits of using renewable energy technologies. The bonanza is being sponsored to the tune of MK3,5 million and the winning teams will walk away with branded GIE branded trophies including tailored prizes to meet each schools unique needs valued in excess of MK600,000.
it is hoped, according to Mtago that this bonanza will be replicated in the future by other partners in other districts to create wider awareness on Green and Inclusive Energy in Malawi.