Employees of various companies especially in the Insurance industry on Friday and Saturday took a break from their busy offices to gather at Blantyre Sports Club to take part in various sports disciplines organized by its mother body, Insurance Institute of Malawi (IIM).

The event which is held annually, is there to help employees of various Insurance Companies and Banking sector to interact in a free environment.

Despite the event being held annually, this year’s event was unique as IIM partnered with Campaign for Health Education, Sanitation and Hygiene (CAHESH), an organization which is specialized in mental health and Gender Based Violence Awareness.

Through out the events, CAHESH took a leading role in sensitizing the masses on the importance of finding solace from friends, relatives, police, religious leaders when faced with challenges be it at workplace or at home.

Speaking to the press CAHESH Executive Director MacDonald Kalua applauded IIM for partnering with them during the events.

“We as an organization, CAHESH, we are into Gender Based Violence and Mental Health awareness so when we held that our friends in the private sector has organised this kind of event we thought it wise to come here and sensitize the masses on issues that affect us as human beings.This is one rare platform where people gather for different reasons,” said Kalua.

Kalua then urged participants especially men to open up when faced with different challenges.

“Everyone is meeting challenges and suicide is not not an option. A problem shared is half solved,” added Kalua.

On his part IIM organising chairperson for the event Limbani Banda said: “Recently if you have observed the country has experienced a sharp rise in mental health related cases and our industry is not spared. A lot of people are committing suicide hence we thought it wise to bring on CAHESH to sensitize the masses on the importance of opening up when faced with challenges.”

Turning to the sports event, Banda urged participants to put aside their differences and interact in a friendly manner as they take part in various sports activities.

The festival featured a wide range of games, including Golf, Football, Netball, Volleyball, Basketball, Chess, Swimming, and the Egg Throw, among others.