It was a moment of wow, a moment of how? Every word and action from students of Kapiri primary and Mawango Community Day Secondary schools was a jaw dropper. These kids, whose club patrons had only undergone orientation of the Mamaye philosophy just a couple weeks back, seemed to be professional maternal and new born health activists already.
It was a moment of wow, a moment of how? Every word and action from students of Kapiri primary and Mawango Community Day Secondary schools was a jaw dropper. These kids, whose club patrons had only undergone orientation of the MamaYe philosophy just a couple weeks back, seemed to be professional maternal and newborn health activist already.In perfect sequence and combination of jokes and information, they were able to educate the crowd. They shared on the need of having adequate blood at the hospital to save mothers, the importance of delivering at the hospital, family planning, community involvement and that everybody has a role to save the lives of mothers and babies.This was done by performing drama, singing, reciting poems and mimicking news reading.The winning moment though was when in one act, a student playing an angry husband took off his jacket only to reveal that he was wearing a bra...classic!!I look forward to the next six months of the Kasungu MamaYe clubs. I bet you they will rock and I will not be surprised if in the months to come I hear of a community free of maternal deaths in the district.Hours before the launchAt 6am we were already on the road, headed for Kasungu to witness the first ever community launch of MamaYe Clubs. In the back of the twin cab are two journalists from two leading newspapers.The sky is heavy with clouds and I know it will rain cats and dogs. Fear of bad publicity grips me; as the previous weekend the same journalists had travelled to the district for the said launch which failed due to challenges beyond our control.“It can’t happen again, I pray inwardly.” It continues to drizzle with heavy falls here and there. By 8:30am, the time the function was expected to start we had arrived at Kapiri Primary School.The place is quiet, I try to read the faces of the journalists and I see nothing. On the veranda of one of the classrooms, is the Mamaye team that came days earlier to facilitate the preparations. Madalo Kalonga is calm as always and confident that the rains will stop.Within minutes, T/A Kaomba and his ministers arrive at the venue. He calls for a meeting with the district team and us. There it is agreed that if the rains don’t stop by 12:30pm, the launch will be subtle and all other celebrations will be held at a later date.Tick-tock, everyone seems to be counting down. Students clad in uniform begin to arrive, they occupy a classroom meters away but their loud drums and music make them seem as if they are next door. Excitement starts to sneak in.By midday, there is a huge crowd waiting out the rain with us. I am certain that whether we launch or not, the community is ready to deal away with maternal deaths, they are on board. There is smoke coming out from the kitchen and that is a plus on its own.And then bam!! It stops to drizzle. It is 2pm. In fear of the unknown we speed up the setting up of the podium. And when everyone comes in one place I realise we have representation from all relevant stakeholders.Present at the functionWith us was the office of the District Health Officer (DHO), the District Education Manager (DEM), representatives of the Member of Parliament, the Traditional Authority and most importantly the community.MamaYe Malawi national coordinator, Charles Makwenda opens the floor with speeches and they go on to the last speech made by the guest of honour representing the DHO.One message is common though, ‘everyone has a role to play in saving the lives of mothers and babies’.Mamaye clubsThese are youth activists clubs established at primary and secondary school level. Equipped with the right information, club members act as activists based in their communities ensuring that communities are taking informed actions and decisions based on evidence to save the lives of mothers and babies.