“To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer” this one of the quotes by Mahatma Gandhi. Today, students from the Department of Political Science at the Catholic University just did that by donating blood to MBTS. The Gandhi Forum Malawi organized the event in conjunction with the Catholic University.
The students braved the heat and came forward to donate. Mervis Chirwa, Head of Blood donation at the MBTS, urged the students, who were donating for the first time, to continue undertaking such noble service. “Your assistance should not just end today. You are a population that we depend on for blood. We thank you for the support, and it should not just end here,” she said. Ms Chirwa also explained the safety measures taken by them in the blood collection process to dispel all fears and concerns.
Professor Nandini Patel highlighted the significance of 2nd October as the International Day of Nonviolence designated by the United Nations and the need to foster the spirit of oneness and brotherhood. There is a need for everyone to have a sense of responsibility towards the community.
She said:” We all must give back to our community. We gather here for one of such tasks, which is donating blood. All of you have made a good choice today, having heard from the MBTS on how lacking we are as a nation regarding the volume of blood needed in our hospitals.”
On her part, Chimwemwe Kandodo, Head of the Department of Political Leadership at Catholic University, said the gesture by the students is worthwhile, stating that public service is one of the tenets of the discipline of Political Science.
In the course of the week, the Forum also donated assorted academic materials to Elnathan Private Secondary School in Machinjiri, just about twelve kilometers from the Central Business District of Blantyre.
The Gandhi Forum is an interfaith, inter-communal and international forum formed to promote Gandhian values of nonviolence, tolerance and. – Forum is a collective of people in Malawi from all races, religions, tribes and languages who are committed to the cause of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and social justice.
The Forum endeavors to undertake activities to promote solidarity, cohesion and patriotism by having programs on critical national and international days like Malawi’s Independence Day, world peace day and others.
The Forum strives to promote peace and solidarity, community empowerment through local participation and dialogue.
We share images BELOW.
