National Social Mobilization Committee, a grouping of several government ministries implementing a Unicef funded Kulumikiza Campaign in the country has applauded arts groups in Kasungu for being instrumental in changing communities.

Member of the committee and Deputy Coordinator in the Ministry of Information, Linda Moyo said in an interview on the sidelines of the campaign open day in Kasungu on Tuesday that the initiative has reached thousands of people through art.

Specifically, the group engaged and trained two Kasungu based theatre groups Tiwanvere Drama Group and Kasungu Art Theatre to disseminate the campaign messages through drama. 

She said; “As National Social Mobilization Committee, we thought it wise to engage and train theatre groups in this Kulumikiza Social Behavior Change Campaign which is targeting people of ages to promote adoption of best family practices such as family planning, education and sanitation and hygiene among others.

"We are satisfied with the feedback we have received so far meaning the impact has been huge. This is encouraging as well as exciting.”

Kasungu Arts Theater actor, Jeamson Kalimba, thanked the National Social Mobilisation Committee for involving them in the campaign saying the engagement has motivated and empowered their group.

“We are very thankful for the role that we have been given to play in this campaign and we feel geared. 

"This should serve as an alert to other implementers that independent arts groups and artists like us are important and have the capacity to deliver in social behavior change and communication for development projects,” he said.

The ongoing Kulumikiza campaign had a three months funded phase from July to September and is being implemented in five districts of Kasungu, Lilongwe, Phalombe,  Mulanje and Blantyre.