What was supposed to be a major milestone by the Lilongwe City Council unveiling of a Dozer Machine to help remove trash at Area 38 Ntaya Dump Site in Lilongwe, the event exposed the terrible environment children scavanging in dumpsite work in.
Among the health hazards the children at the Ntaya Dump Site are exposed to include toxic chemicals, threat of diseases due to poor sanitation and sharp objects.
These children in Area 38, make a living scavenging waste and are affected because the disposal sites fail to function in the midst of ever-growing refuse and inclement weather.
The Ntaya waste disposal have severe environmental consequences in terms of groundwater, soil and air contamination, resulting in numerous health hazards as seen through the video and photos.
Deputy minister of Local Government Joyce Chitsulo who presided over the ceremony acknowledged the bad environment and the danger to the children and communities around.
"This is a huge problem but the good thing is that the dumpsite will closed soon as the City has identified a new site. In my travels dumpsites are supposed a wall perimeter around it and far from communities," she said.
Mayor of the City of Lilongwe said the new dumpsite where they will be relocating Nalikule along Salima road
"The new dump site will have modern facilities befitting the health standards. This will curb such scenes as seen here and protect communities including children to such health hazards," she said.