Cyclone Freddy was an utter devastation across 10 districts in the southern part of Malawi that so many people will fail do describe for years to come.
Lives were lost and property worth billions of Malawi kwacha was swept away in a flash. Mothers lost their children, and so many children were rendered destitute overnight. Lives, hitherto normal were left hopeless.
It was a dash and scampering situation, which left even the strongest of machomen in tears. Even the leadership failed to think momentarily.
The outpouring of love from Malawians including those in the diaspora was breathtaking. There has never been a time in Malawi when so many people left what they were doing and rolled up their sleeves to render help to the victims.
They gave out cloths, food, medication and everything else they could including prayers and the human touch.
Now as days turn into weeks and months, everyone else, including the victims, will need to return to their lives. One of the most pressing needs that have been identified is shelter.
There is need for victims to be provided with shelter as many houses were devastated by the storm. This is where Nigerian Philanthropist and business mogul, Dozy Mmobuosi, has come head and shoulders above everyone else.
Dozy Mmobuosi has pledged to construct over 100 houses for Cyclone Freddy victims in Phalombe District, and has already released 500 million kwacha towards the project.
Dozy was in the country and attended the launch of the construction projects in Phalombe. And speaking to journalists at the launch, he said he was profoundly touched by the devastation that Cyclone Freddy caused and that he felt it deep in his heart to help the victims as a human being.
He said that it is the reason why he decided to come and attend the function to witness for himself the impact of the cyclone to the country.
“I have taken time to go and see some of the areas that have been impacted by this cyclone and i am lost for words. The impact is huge and obviously it will take time to recover. It is the arson why i think we must begin to help these people right away,” said Dozy.
He added that apart from constructing houses for the victims, he was also going to help the victims with food items as well as seeds so that they should recover, particularly looking at the fact that most of the victims are farmers.
The Phiranthropist will channel the funding through the Tigwirane Manja project, whose goodwill ambassadors are former Presidents, Joyce Banda and Bakili Muluzi. The two former Presidents were present at the launch in Phalombe
WHO IS DOZY
Dozy Mmobuosi, the Founder and CEO of Tingo Inc. and Tingo International Holdings, launched an Africa focused foundation to address pressing challenges on the continent.
The Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation will begin in Nigeria with two core missions, addressing the healthcare challenges across Nigeria and working to provide financial support for a high-quality education to many who have previously struggled with access.
The foundation is exploring an innovative student loan initiative to provide funding to students across the country.
The loan program, according to Mmobuosi, is to provide financial assistance to Africans that cannot afford to attend a tertiary institution on a loan that would be paid back after graduating from school.
“The aim is to provide fair and affordable student loans to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria,” Mmobuosi said.
Repayment of the student loans is over a five-year period, which begins five years after taking the loan, at a three per cent interest rate and the interest rate doesn’t come to place until the fifth year after taking the loan. This will be the most affordable and efficient way of externally funding higher education in Nigeria.
Beyond giving loans for education, Mmobuosi pointed out that the foundation will be partnering with the government at all levels including non-governmental organisations and educational institutions towards engaging Nigerians, Africans, and the leaders in better critical thinking practices.
Mmobuosi believes that providing courses around critical thinking and entrepreneurship will be the framework for a highly-skilled, high performing, next-generation workforce and leadership which will pave the way for Africa to meet its true potential.
As part of these missions, the foundation will work to support gender equality initiatives and provide support to women across the country.
The foundation is also exploring how it can work to support vaccine production and distribution in Nigeria and provide grants to widows and smallholder farmers throughout the country.
At the launch of the foundation on January 1st 2022, the foundation celebrated thousands of children in low-income communities by taking Christmas festivities to their doorstep and giving them gifts. Mmobuosi confirmed that in time, the foundation intends to give education scholarships to deprived kids across Nigeria.
Mmobuosi is a proud Nigerian and truly believes in Africa and his native Nigeria. Through the Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation and his company, Tingo, he continues to strive to build a better and more prosperous Africa for future generations.
