Where We Work : Malawi
Country Profile
| Population | 13.2 million |
| GDP per Capita | US$161 |
| Infant Mortality (per 1,000 births) | 79 |
| Life Expectancy | 46.3 |
| Living with HIV and AIDS | 14.1% |
| Literacy Rate | 64.1% |
| Human Development Rank | 164 (out of 177) |
| More information | Wikipedia |
Malawi doesn’t often make the world news. That’s because it is a peaceable rural country. Rural Malawians do not celebrate birthdays as people do in many other countries. Most babies are delivered at home and individuals often do not have official birth certificates. Parents associate the birth of a child with a particular season or important event, although many do not know the specific date. Malawian families are often large because they are highly valued. A large family means more hands to help on the farm and assures that parents will be cared for as they age.
Life is difficult for many Malawian families. Sixty-five percent of the population lives in poverty. Many people lack access to safe water. More than a quarter of all Malawians are illiterate.
Projects
Preventing transmission of HIV from mother to child
Partner: Evangelical Alliance Malawi (EAM) and Livingstonia Synod AIDS Project (LISAP)
Location: Malawi, Southern Africa
Finance needed: There is a shortfall of €30,000 for this project
In Malawi, one in five children born to a HIV-positive mother is infected – a death sentence at birth.
However, child and maternal mortality can be reduced dramatically with a number of low-cost interventions. Tearfund and its local partners are mobilising church and communities in rural Malawi to stop AIDS together.
Film made in 2006. However the challenge remains in Malawi and Tearfund (in partnership with Irish Aid) continues to fight against HIV.
1. Reduce maternal and child mortality for HIV+ pregnant women
- Ensure 6300 mothers tested for HIV and able to receive anti-retroviral medicines which prevent the transmission of HIV.
- Ensuring Skilled Birth Care by providing increased training for birth attendants from 30 clinics & using MiHope mobile phone technology.
- Providing Mother Buddies for all HIV+ mothers to assist them pre- and post-natal
- Increasing father’s involvement. Often men are not committed to supporting their wife and are unwilling to help them.
2. Give HIV+ families an income
- 500 HIV-affected families trained in improved agriculture techniques and supported with seeds and tools
3. Transforming knowledge, attitudes and practices among 100,000 people on HIV and sexual and reproductive health through local churches.
- Education through 25 schools and 110 churches to reduce HIV, reduce unplanned pregnancies and reduce stigma by training a network of volunteers.
- Provide HIV testing at mobile clinics in 110 churches and 25 schools.
- Providing parental counselling and support through 110 churches
Projects
Make Life Flow
Project dates: Jan – Dec 2010
The health of Malawians is compromised by the limited access to adequate and safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Despite the efforts by the government to increase coverage of safe water sources, it is estimated that only 62% have access to improved water sources. Diarrhea, dysentery, and typhoid fever affect many people in the rural areas and this reduces their productivity. Children are often forced to spend less time on school related activities as they spend a lot of time fetching water.
*Partner *– AGREDS. This is the development arm of the Assemblies of God church in Malawi and Tearfund has worked closely with them over the past decade.
Project – To improve access to clean and portable safe water for 3,750 people
Key achievements
- 17 shallow wells were improved and protected
- 17 Water Point Committees (WPCs) were trained to repair and carry out routine maintenance
- A community fund for spare parts was established in each community
- Hygiene and sanitation sensitization and training was conducted with 3,750 people