NNO Impressed with NONM

NNO senior advisors say they are impressed with the hard work and resilience which the National organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM) has manifested.

Speaking in an interview in Lilongwe one of the advisors, Kristin Iversen, stated that during their visit they have noted that there has been a lot of individual personal growth on the people who work at the secretariat which is good for the organisation.

She said: “I have to say that I am very impressed with how the union has managed to push through and achieve many things in spite of such challenging times. That’s a real proof of resilience and that is based on all the people that work here.”

“To the people who work here (at the secretariat). It’s important to highlight that we see them. It’s a lot of work. Behind every little activity and achievement, there’s a lot of hard work. And we know that the conditions of serving are particularly challenging. It’s a resource scarce context,” she added.

Her counterpart, Maren Olene Kloster, highlighted the need for the organization to cerebrate when it makes achievements.

She said: “I want to encourage you to cerebrate every win. Small and big win, to share them with the membership.

The two went on to encourage the organization to report every other progress that it is making.

“If there is anything that I can mention that has room for improvement is not just cerebrating those wins but sharing them with the entire membership. One challenge that NONM has is under-reporting on its progress, not just to us as a partner but to stakeholders and membership. I think there’s a lot of activity going on, on the ground that doesn’t reach people. So, people don’t actually have the floor to picture what NONM can achieve,” added Iversen.

NONM president, Shouts M.G. Simeza expressed gratitude for the continued support from NNO and the good relationship that is there between the two entities.

He said: “When you go back, thank the people for us there. Those in the finance department, and everyone.”

He expressed his desire for NONM and NNO to continue working together in future projects if an opportunity presents.  The current project, Closing the gap, sufficient, competent and motivated nurses and midwives, funded by NNO is ending in 2023.  The delegates from NNO comprising of the two senior advisors and another from the accounts department stayed in Malawi from the 21^st-25^th of march. During their stay they discussed a lot of issues with NONM president and workers at the secretariat ranging from finances, administration to projects.