Partners Unite to Commemorate World Mental Health Day
St John of God Hospitaller Services Malawi joined community members, partners, and stakeholders in commemorating Mental Health Awareness Day at Zolozolo Ground in Mzuzu.
Awareness Walk
The event began with a mass awareness walk from Mzuzu Stadium to Zolozolo Ground, bringing together participants in a collective effort to promote mental health awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health. At the ground, various organisations set up pavilions to showcase their work, share information, and engage with the community on mental health and related services.
Leaders Engage with Mental Health Initiatives
The event was graced by Mr Chiyembekezo Mvula, Deputy Mayor of Mzuzu, as the Guest of Honour. Other distinguished attendees included Dr Charles Masulani, CEO of St John of God Hospitaller Services Malawi, Dr Lilian Chirwa and other representatives from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Hon. Frasco Paul Mkandawire, Member of Parliament for Mzuzu City North Constituency; Hon. William Chikweta Kaweche, Member of Parliament for Mzuzu City South East Constituency; and Hon. Florence Shapilo Khimbi, Member of Parliament for Rumphi East, alongside representatives from the Malawi Defence Force, Councillors, Traditional leaders, and other distinguished guests.
Speeches and Performances Promote Mental Health Awareness
The programme featured speeches, mental health talks by Mzuzu Health Initiative (MHI), drama performances, poems, and songs. These activities provided an engaging platform to share knowledge, encourage open conversations, challenge stigma, and emphasise the importance of mental well-being.
Key Speeches
Guest of Honour — Mr Chiyembekezo Mvula: Highlighted mental health challenges in Mzuzu, the need for greater awareness, and the importance of seeking help. He also spoke about the council’s efforts to address contributing factors.
Dr Charles Masulani — CEO, St John of God Hospitaller Services Malawi: Emphasised the need for greater national investment in mental health and highlighted challenges such as family difficulties and substance abuse.
Students Champion Mental Health Awareness
Students also took part in the commemoration, holding placards with mental health messages to raise awareness, encourage open conversations, and help challenge stigma surrounding mental health. These activities provided an engaging platform to share knowledge, encourage open conversations, challenge stigma, and emphasise the importance of mental well-being.
Partners Unite to Promote Mental Health Awareness
The event brought together partners from various sectors, including KNH, BMZ, CBM, Seed Global, Mzuzu SACCO, Ekwendeni College, the High Court, Malawi Police Service, Moyale Barracks, Plan International, ESCOM, Right to Care, Motivational Africa, Malawi Prisons, Mibawa TV, Hossan Radio, Karonga District Health Office, Mzuzu University, MBC, Times TV, and Tigawane, among others.
The gathering highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, community leaders, organisations, and other stakeholders in promoting mental health awareness, improving access to support, and building communities where everyone can seek help with dignity and without fear of stigma or discrimination.
💚 Together, let’s break the stigma, start conversations, and make mental health a priority!
BEYOND VULNERABILITY: EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
St. John of God (SJOG) Malawi recently hosted a powerful and inspiring Child Rights Symposium at Bishop Zuza Hall in Mzuzu, bringing together children, community leaders, and duty bearers to celebrate and advocate for children’s rights.
The event gave children a platform to speak, perform, share their ideas, and advocate for their rights. From an engaging Child Parliament session to lively dances, drama, poems, and talent presentations, the children showed that when given a voice, they can help shape the future.
Speaking at the event, St. John of God CEO Charles Masulani reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to creating platforms where children can speak about the issues affecting them and to promoting their rights.
Guest of Honour Ruth Phiri challenged duty bearers to do more in listening to children’s needs and protecting their rights.
Mzuzu and Mzimba North District Youth Officer Misheck Mtsokwa highlighted growing concerns over child rights violations, including neglect and abuse. He also shared government efforts such as adolescent clubs, which provide safe spaces for children to meet, discuss issues, and express themselves.
Through initiatives such as the Umoza Children Programme, the Child Development Centre, and the Institute of Vocational Training, St. John of God continues to empower children and young people through education, skills development, protection, and psychosocial support.
The symposium was more than an event it was a reminder that children have a voice, children have dreams, and children have a role in shaping the future.
St John of God Participates in the 4th African Disability Collaboration Summit
Introduction
An ADC is a coalition of non-profit organisations, non-governmental organisations, and disability networks committed to advancing the rights, inclusion, and well-being of children with disabilities across Sub-Saharan Africa. The collaboration was officially launched in March 2023 at the Kyaninga Child Development Centre in Fort Portal, Uganda. ADC focuses on promoting inclusive communities through equitable access to education, healthcare, rehabilitation, and early intervention services for children with disabilities. The collaboration currently brings together partners from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi.
The fourth ADC Summit was hosted by Fount for Nations (FFN) in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 14 to 16 July 2026. The theme for this year was, “Early Action- A Strong Start to Rehabilitation in Africa.” The three-day event brought together policymakers, government representatives, therapists, researchers, disability organisations, and other stakeholders from across Africa to share knowledge, experiences, and promising practices in early intervention and disability inclusion. The Summit was organised by FFN in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare and other key stakeholders, including St John of God Hospitaller Services (SJOG). The activity was attended by 24 organisations from Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Learning Visit and Exhibition at Likuni Mission Hospital
On 14 July 2026 there was a learning visit and exhibition of Early Intervention Initiatives at Likuni Mission Hospital. SJOG through CBM project and other projects, showcased its integrated approach to supporting children with disabilities, highlighting interventions in early identification and intervention, health and rehabilitation, inclusive education, vocational skills development, and community-based support.
The learning visit was attended by several dignitaries, including the Guest of Honour, Honourable Mrs Leah Khadija Chunga, Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Central Likuni Constituency. The guest of honour reaffirmed the Government of Malawi’s commitment to promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, including through increased investment in disability-related initiatives and financing mechanisms such as the Disability Trust Fund.
Official Opening of the ADC Summit
On 15 July 2026, the ADC Summit was officially launched at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, with the Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Francis Folley, serving as Guest of Honour. The official opening was preceded by a tour of the exhibition pavilions, where SJOG showcased its early intervention and disability inclusion initiatives. SJOG staff, including CBM project staff, engaged stakeholders and shared experiences on interventions in health and rehabilitation, inclusive education, community-based support, and advocacy for the rights of children with disabilities. The Summit provided an important platform for cross-country learning through panel discussions involving experts from Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.
Key discussions focused on financing and sustainability of disability services, with panellists calling for increased domestic government financing and greater private-sector investment in early intervention and disability inclusion initiatives. Participants emphasised that sustained investment in early intervention can significantly improve the long-term outcomes of children with disabilities and their families. However, persistent challenges, including inadequate funding, limited human and material resources, insufficient access to assistive devices, and weak coordination among service providers, were highlighted as barriers requiring stronger partnerships, networking, and coordinated multi-sectoral approaches.
The Summit also emphasised the importance of homegrown, community-driven solutions that build on existing local resources, knowledge, and capacities. Participants highlighted caregiver empowerment as a critical strategy, recognising parents and guardians as active partners in early identification, home-based rehabilitation, child development, advocacy, and inclusion. The discussions further emphasised the need for caregiver psychoeducation, economic empowerment, and the establishment of caregiver support groups and expert mother networks. Traditional and community leaders, healthcare workers, social welfare officers, police, and education personnel were also identified as key stakeholders who should be empowered to contribute to the protection and inclusion of children with disabilities.
During the breakaway sessions, SJOG facilitated a presentation on the role of caregivers in supporting children with disabilities, with particular emphasis on the Portage Approach as a home-based early intervention and rehabilitation model. The session demonstrated how caregivers can be equipped with practical knowledge and skills to support children’s development and provide basic rehabilitation and stimulation within the home environment. Discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening community-based rehabilitation, reducing stigma and discrimination through psychoeducation, and meaningfully involving persons with disabilities and caregivers in programme design, implementation, decision-making, and evaluation, in line with the principle of “Nothing for us without us.”
Community Outreach at Kapedzera Primary School
The Summit concluded on 16 July 2026 with a community outreach event held at Kapedzera Primary School in Traditional Authority Kalumbu, Lilongwe. The Guest of Honour was Mr Kumbambe, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare. The outreach aimed to bring essential disability-related services closer to persons with disabilities at community level and brought together multiple service providers from Malawi and participating countries, including Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, alongside the Lilongwe District Health Office and other stakeholders.
SJOG contributed a multidisciplinary team comprising professionals in psychosocial counselling, social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, mental health, advocacy & communication and Monitoring & Evaluation. Through this collaborative outreach, SJOG worked alongside other participating organisations to provide assessment, treatment, and physiotherapy services to clients with mental health, neurological, intellectual, and physical disabilities. The team also provided health education on mental health, early identification and management of disabilities, counselling services, and social support interventions.
In his remarks, the Guest of Honour commended the organisers and participating partners for bringing essential services closer to persons with disabilities at community level, noting that such initiatives contribute to improving access to essential services among underserved populations. Traditional Authority Kalumbu also expressed appreciation for the initiative and called for the establishment and continuation of similar services in the area, pledging support for future disability-related interventions.
Participating Organisations
The Summit brought together over 300 delegates including government officials, NGOs, service providers, caregivers, and community members. Both men and women participated, with women strongly represented among caregivers and service providers. Importantly, children and adults with physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities were actively involved in clinics, awareness sessions, and performances. Organisations in attendance included St John of God Hospitaller Services-Malawi (Mzuzu & Lilongwe) alongside Save the Children Malawi, Fount for Nations (Malawi), World Vision Malawi, Asha Audiology Specialists (Malawi), Kuhenza (Kenya), SOS Children’s Villages (Malawi), CBIDO (Tanzania), The Action Foundation (Kenya), Gabriella Rehabilitation Centre (Tanzania), MAP (Malawi), Kyaninga Child Development Centre (Uganda), Able Foundation (Malawi), Mukisa Foundation (Uganda), Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA), Save the Children (Malawi), ABC Clinic (Malawi), Good Vision Glasses (Malawi), Link Community (Malawi), Kyaro Assistive Tech (Tanzania), Baby Ubuntu (Uganda), Uhuru Child Care (Malawi), MACODA (Malawi), and Lilongwe District Health Office.
Overall, participation in the fourth ADC Summit provided SJOG with an important platform to showcase its contribution to early intervention and disability inclusion, strengthen networking and collaboration with national and international stakeholders, share practical experience on caregiver empowerment and home-based rehabilitation, and learn from emerging approaches to sustainable disability programming
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