By Francis Polinyu Banda, Catholic Journalist
In a bid to extend its signals and coverage in the Southern region of Malawi, Radio Maria Malawi has raised over 1.8 million Malawi Kwacha for the installation of a transmitter at Mtengo Waung’ono hills in Thyolo district.
The money which is in the form cash, pledges and airtime has been raised in three days of special programming dubbed Mariathona, which started from Friday 15th May to Sunday 17th May 2015.
Speaking at the closing mass for this drive at Radio Maria chapel on Monday 18th May, the National Director for Radio Maria Malawi, Fr Joseph Kimu thanked all well-wishers and people of goodwill who made various donations including cash which goes towards the construction and installation project of the tower in the Southern district of Thyolo.
Fr. Kimu also appealed to those who have pledged their support to fulfill their promises so that the tower that will send a strong radio signal to Thyolo and the lower shire districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje is realised.
“In this project radio Maria Malawi needs 15 million Kwacha and has so far managed to raise approximately 1.8 million Kwacha after joining all the 70 radio Maria stations all over the world that were also in the same fund raising course for various projects,” he said.
In a separate interview, Radio Maria Malawi National Coordinator Innocent Mphanje, expressed optimism that the station is going to raise the required amount, saying “though the three days of special programming ended on Sunday, the station has left its doors opened for well wishers and people of goodwill to come forward with their support up to 27th June, 2015”.
Currently radio Maria Malawi requires transmission towers in Mzuzu, Nkhotakota, and Karonga in the north of Malawi, and Thyolo in the South.