KUWAIT, Nov 18 (KUNA) -- President of Malawi Joyce Banda and Kuwait-based non-profit organization Direct Aid signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Monday to establish a university in the African country as well as implementing a number of charity projects.
Banda, who signed the MoU with Direct Aid Board Chairman Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Muhailan, expressed content that the agreement would pave way for the establishment of a university in her country which "enable the Direct Aid to work in Malawi as an international organization in order to fully benefit from its programs." She noted that Direct Aid, a non-governmental organization (NGO), was active in more than 30 African countries, adding the NGO started operations in the city of Mangochi in Malawi in 1981 under the name of Malawi Muslims Committee, then changed the name to the African Muslims agency and now known as the Direct Aid.
"Since its inception, the Direct Aid has been supporting programs of education, health and social care in Malawi," said Banda.
"Our country benefitted greatly from the programs of Direct Aid when compared to other countries. So I am happy to sign this MoU which will open new opportunities for the Malawi people as well as benefitting economic and social development sectors," added the President.
"I am happy with the organization's (Direct Aid) pledge to build a university that will provide technical education which will help the youth to acquire necessary skills to get jobs," she said.
Banda said she requested allocation of part of the Direct Aid funding to building a grand mosque in southern Mangochi, located near the southern end of Lake Malawi. She said recent statistics showed that 12 percent of Malawi people were Muslims, therefore the "establishment of this grand Mosque will inspire everyone nationwide; with our affirmation and commitment to backing freedom of worship for all Muslims and followers of other faiths." Banda thanked Direct Aid for answering her appeal it made last Feburary to buy medicine.
Direct Aid, she added, bought USD million worth of medications and were on their way to Malawi.
The Malawi President also thanked Direct Aid for providing clean drinking water for many Malawi people as well as other direct assistance.
Direct Aid Board Chairman Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Muhailan noted that Malawi was the first country the late Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait visited 30 years ago, who then registered the NGO in Kuwait under Direct Aid.
"We have schools in Malawi but our students who are poor cannot continue university studies, however today's agreement enables us to work with full force in Malawi to serve the poor," he said.
Al-Muhailan said the would-be-built university in Malawi would be the fourth in Africa. Direct Aid has already built a university in Mogadishu with a capacity of 3,500 students, a university in Zanzibar with 1,500 students and a university in Tanzania.
There is a university being built in Nairobi, Kenya, he added.
Direct Aid, said Al-Muhailan, runs more than 400 schools in African. "We know that good education is like a weapon for the poor in African. We also have other projects including the drilling of 800 water wells in addition to clinics and medical camps.
"Malawi is a very beautiful country and its people are thirsty for good education ... ," added Al-Muhailan.
Elaborating on Direct Aid operations in the Niger, Mali and five other African countries, Al-Muhailan said the NGO planned to dig 100 deep wells which would pave way for agriculture and good health needed by the student. "This is a seed planted by late Abdulrahman Al-Sumait and was nurtured philanthropists in Kuwait and Gulf countries, topped by His Highness the Amir (of Kuwait) who is the prime supporter of charity." Al-Muhailan said the university in Malawi would include 2,000-3,000 students, who could chose between four and five majors. (end) kt.bs KUNA 181308 Nov 13NNNN