IRIS KAINGU PROPOSES COMMUNITY FUNERAL FUND TO PROMOTE DIGNIFIED BURIALS
By Andrew Mukoma
Mwandi Member of Parliament Iris Kaingu has proposed establishing a community funeral fund to help families meet burial expenses and ensure their loved ones are laid to rest with dignity.
Ms Kaingu says the proposed initiative would involve committees in each ward coordinating support for bereaved families, with community members making small contributions and the MP mobilising additional resources to supplement the funds.
Speaking during an interview, Ms Kaingu acknowledged that Members of Parliament often face expectations to provide financial assistance for funerals, airtime and other personal needs, even when such matters fall outside their official responsibilities.
She said the proposed funeral fund was an idea she hoped to develop into a practical way of supporting families during difficult times.
“Each and every ward will have a committee that is dedicated to seeing to it that once there’s a funeral, you have to go up there to the family and see what it is that they require,” Ms Kaingu said.
She explained that community members could contribute small amounts, such as K10 or K20, while she would seek additional resources to help meet the needs of bereaved families.
“What we need to focus on is putting our people to rest in a dignified manner, and it’s important that we do,” she said.
Ms Kaingu’s proposal seeks to encourage shared responsibility in supporting grieving families rather than placing the entire financial burden on the MP
This is going to turn into another “eating
Reserves talkshow”.
When will we in Zambia focus on building. Cause we were elected on a name. We really dont have anything to offer but a name. So we have to create a narrative to say we are doing something.
How many schools do we have in the constituency for example? We all know that those school lack adequet structures. The student teacher ratio is disproportional to offer the a learning environment that is required. Our state is trying to mobilise enough to resources through taxes to sustain this model. And this requires an all hands on deck attitude. Not a musical chairs choir attitude that this novice now wants to sing.
She found CDF. As we wade through the “need vs want” mud of decentralisation. Lets stay focused. Why was CDF expanded. And not lets find a new way to spend CDF.
Not dismissing the fact that we all die and need to be buried. But even if am buried in by birthday suit. Will I know? Will I care. Lets not turn an essential commodity into a reason to turn what should be a life line into a “Pwando” cause ni za boma.
Boma is us. And us need to grow. If it was our personal money would we spend it in such manner. If so like NHIMA lets subscribe to funeral expenses policies that are private sector run.
After all, the taxes paid by the insurance companies will enhance and grow the economy. Than spend before the taxes are even collected.
We went to ZICAS for a reason. Let it show bane….the people of Mwandi were not born “to plan to die”. Lets help them to plan to live.And live fully…
Let the bani wone bani wone show end. When are the needs of the people to grow and be productive be worked on. Its through that growth exponential development will take place. Not how they plan to die will development occur.