Organizers of Tumaini Festival have described this year’s festival as a success saying over seven thousand people patronized.
Speaking during the event held on Saturday, 5th November at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa,Tumaini Festival Director, Tresor Nzenga Mpauni widely known as Menes La Plume said he was impressed saying people came in large numbers to support the initiative which aims at promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities living around Dzaleka area.
“I am very glad that people have come in large numbers to support this initiative, and honestly speaking am out of words because people have surprised me,” He said
He added that the festival is also aimed at promoting intellectual harmony and boosting economy of people living at Dzaleka refugees Camp.
Meanwhile Director in the ministry of culture and civic education Dr. Elizabeth Chindevu commended organizes saying the event gives a platform for people of different nationalities to interact and described it as a tool to country’s development.
Chindevu appealed to the public to stop segregating refugees in order to achieve the country’s socio-economic development.
“Refugees are people like us and they need support, and for the country to do better, we need people like them to share us their experiences and there are people who are very creative at Dzaleka a thing that Malawians can learn, “she said
She added that the festival has presented a unique opportunity for refugees to share aspects of their lives with interested visitors, to exhibit and sell their crafts and feel the hope of connection to a wider community.
In his speech UNHCR Representative to Malawi Monique Ekoko commended Malawi government for its support towards the festival saying refugees are hopeless people who always need comfort from others.
She also said festivals of such caliber give relief to refugees since they interact with people from different nations to share stories and experiences.
This year’s event made possible with support from Lake of stars, plan international, Klaus, UNHCR and has costed them about K 5,453,000.
During the Festival there were also perfomances from different artists including Poet Robert Chiwamba,Malala, Faith Mussa, Agorosso, Tradition dances , Chimz Kelly from Zambia and Congolese band among others.
