Zomba to host Christmas Meal for Compassion

19 December 2024

The community of Zomba in southern Malawi will play host to a special Christmas Meal for Compassion on December 25.?

The meal, organized by the Malawi Compassion Connectors [1], aims to champion a message of inclusivity and common humanity.?

As well as being an opportunity for the population of Zomba to gather together, a special invite will be extended to the elderly community, many of whom find themselves marginalized and alone on Christmas Day.

The Malawi Compassion Connectors have made it a key priority of their work this year to challenge stereotypes around older people and to try and find ways for them to integrate back into society.

This year has seen a significant number of attacks on older people, many of whom have been accused of witchcraft.?

Last year’s Christmas Day meal saw over 80 people from across Zomba come together to eat, hear talks, and play games.

The chief organizer and coordinator of the Malawi Compassion Connectors Suzy Dzimbiri expects to double that number this year.

Suzy said:

“Given that our movement for compassion here in Malawi has grown so rapidly this year, we’re confident of a huge turnout on the 25th. People in Malawi are joining us. They want to feel like they live in communities which care, which notice, which welcome. That’s what we’re trying to offer - starting here in Zomba.

"It's particularly important to us that older communities are welcomed and loved at this meal. We have to address the scar that is on the face of Malawi - the continued maltreatment and cruelty shown towards our elder neighbours, friends, and family. When we dig down into our compassion we can recognise that we are all human, we all suffer, we all need care and support. That should be the message of Christmas and the spirit of Malawi."

Matt Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer of the Global Compassion Coalition [2], said:

“Suzy and her team are showing that community power matters. Their efforts to upend and uproot the damaging stereotypes about older people has already started to change the way they are perceived and has helped them deliver vital support and aid to these populations. And now, with this meal, they are demonstrating to people across Zomba that care, connection, and togetherness makes a world of difference to how we all feel and live.”

ENDS

Notes

[1] The Malawi Compassion Connectors are a national movement seeking to build a compassionate Malawi.

[2] The Global Compassion Coalition is an international charity that promotes the study, practice, application, and advocacy of compassion. It has over 155,000 members and is based in California, USA.