PASTOR PLEDGES TO TAKE POLIO VACCINE MESSAGES TO HIS CONGREGANTS
By Carolyn Khola – Mana
‘Transformed’ Pastor of Fountain of Life Church in Chinsapo, Lilongwe, Tonnex Matikiti who once preached against any form of vaccine campaigns, says he will now be taking positive polio messages to his congregants and members of the community after attending a training organised by National Social Mobilization Committee (NSMC).
Matikiti was speaking Tuesday in Lilongwe during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by National Social Mobilization Committee (NSMC) aimed at sharing the progress on what has been done in the Kulumikiza Project.
“I was one of the pastors who preached negatively about taking any form of vaccine because I thought there are hidden agendas in those vaccines.
“But after attending one of the trainings, I was completely transformed and I went back to tell my church members and the community about the importance of these vaccines.
“As I am speaking, my children will be the first to get the polio vaccine which is underway till the 16th September. Indeed, it is true that people perish due to lack of knowledge,” he said.
Pastor Matikiti then urged other religious leaders still in denial of these vaccines to encourage their congregants to take the inoculation for their good health, saying it is only healthy people who can positively contribute to the development of the country.
One of NSMC members, Doreen Mbendera, said it was encouraging that some members of the communities are changing their mindset through the Kulumikiza Project.
“We are very happy to hear positive news from one of the religious leaders, and we want other leaders to emulate what Pastor Matikiti has done by encouraging his members to take polio vaccine to avoid health challenges on their bodies,” he said.
With support from UNICEF, NSMC is implementing a K193 million Kulumikiza Campaign in five districts of Lilongwe, Blantyre, Kasungu, Phalombe and Mulanje.
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