By Tarcizio Mondwe
Rays of Hope Malawi concluded the fourth edition of the VIA Safe Mobility Programme, with Mbayani Primary School in Blantyre Urban emerging as winners in the recent Creative Arts Competition, receiving a prize of K5 million.
In the competition, appealing posters from five primary schools in Blantyre Urban were showcased to promote awareness of safe mobility for all Malawians, especially learners who often crossroads on their way to school.
The event concluded with a prize presentation to the winning schools at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre. During the event, Project Officer Jean Gobola explained that the VIA Safe Mobility Programme is a road safety initiative targeting schools to safeguard learners from road accidents.
“We target schools because most road accidents involve learners; we also aim to address road safety issues,” she added.
The fourth phase of the VIA Safe Mobility Programme, a six-month initiative that began in June 2025, reached out to 20,000 learners from schools in Bangwe, Limbe, Ndirande Matope, Chigumula, Manja, and Chitawira.
“The project has achieved its goal of enabling learners to understand road safety issues, and we are grateful that they have embraced the VIA programme. Over 20,000 learners are leaders in their schools and communities,” Gobola stated.Principal Education Officer for Blantyre Urban, Peter Bodza, commended the VIA Programme for mobilising learners to participate in preventing road accidents, noting that some schools are at higher risk due to their proximity to main roads.
“Most primary schools in Blantyre Urban are near main roads. Last year, we recorded three road accidents involving learners at Chichiri, Chigumula, and Namalowe primaries. The programme helps to prevent such incidents when learners go to school,” he added.
While appreciating the programme’s impact in Blantyre Urban, Bodza expressed hope that future interventions would extend to rural areas to further protect learners from road accidents, as some schools are equally at risk due to their location along roads.
“The programme currently involves urban schools, but we are encouraging Rays of Hope to expand the intervention to rural schools,” he said.
Total Energies Malawi Managing Director Omotesele Akinperu encouraged primary school learners attending the prize-giving event at Malawi Sun Hotel to become VIA Safe Mobility Programme ambassadors.
“We want learners to serve as ambassadors, helping to promote the programme within Malawian communities,” she stated.
Akinperu also praised Rays of Hope Malawi’s collaboration efforts, which secured support for the upcoming fifth phase in 2026.
Over three years, the VIA Safe Mobility Programme has reached out to 62,000 learners in urban areas: 12,000 in 2022, 15,000 in 2023, 15,000 in 2024, and 20,000 in 2025.
In the recent competition, Kanjedza Primary came in fifth; Bangwe Catholic Primary was fourth; Chichiri Primary School took third place; Limbe Primary placed second, and Mbayani Primary emerged as the winner.
Mbayani Primary School will represent Blantyre Urban at the regional creative arts level.
VIA is a Latin word meaning “road,” and it emphasises safety education.
