Paradiso TB Patients Trust has begun distributing bicycles and uniforms to its club volunteers, who are TB survivors. This initiative is being carried out with support from the Stop TB Partnership.

During the time of Global Fund Board meeting held in Lilongwe, The First Lady Monica Chakwera who is the TB Champion for both Malawi and the Southern Africa region hosted a high-level breakfast where TB survivors had a dialogue. The survivors took the opportunity to share their challenges, with transportation being one of the key issues raised. Hearing this problems, Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, pledged to provide bicycles to support the work of TB survivors. True to her word, the bicycles were delivered to Paradiso TB Patients Trust.

The official handover of the bicycles to Paradiso took place on Stop TB Day, March 24, during a TB Day commemorative event at Mgona Ground. Paradiso is now distributing the bicycles to volunteers across all its clubs, ensuring that each club receives 5 bicycle to aid in community outreach and TB case finding.

In addition to bicycles, Paradiso is also distributing new cloth to its volunteers. This follows a visit by Monica from NOLAD, who expressed keen interest in Paradiso’s work and took time to engage directly with the Ngwenya TB club volunteers. During the meeting, the volunteers shared their concern that their cloths had worn out and requested replacements. Monica pledged to provide new cloth and she fulfilled this promise. The newly cloth have been produced, and every volunteer is receiving a 4-meter new cloth alongside the bicycle distribution.

This support is expected to enhance the motivation and visibility of TB volunteers in their communities as they continue their important work in TB prevention and support.