Lipiri Area Development Programme is in the low western plains of Dowa district, in central Malawi. The area covers 233 villages with a total population of around 26,000 people.

Income generation

The ADP helps farmers increase the income they get from their crops and livestock by teaching small business skills, helping them access markets and offering small business loans at low interest rates.

Agriculture and food security

Most people in Lipiri depend on agriculture for their livelihood. They grow maize, groundnuts, beans, sweet potatoes and cassava for their own use, while the major cash crops are tobacco, groundnuts, maize, and beans. Crop productivity depends on rainfall and people tend to rely on the maize crop, meaning they are constantly vulnerable to food shortages in times of drought. Tobacco used to be a source of income for the community, but this has become less profitable in recent years due to global anti-smoking campaigns. The ADP is working on improving food security by teaching the community how to increase their agricultural production and improve their nutrition.

Health

Poor family planning, inadequate nutrition, lack of access to safe water and sanitation, poor control of communicable diseases and the presence of HIV and AIDS are the main health challenges in Lipiri. Although the community has access to two health centres, 11 traditional birth attendants and 18 health surveillance assistants, there is a lack of training and suitable infrastructure. The ADP is working on providing access to safe water and sanitation facilities, reducing the incidence of disease and supporting people living with HIV.

Community leadership

In setting up the ADP, World Vision works with the traditional local leaders, who have the support of the wider community. The ADP establishes committees and trains local men and women to run these, putting the control of the development process in the hands of the community.

Education

Although there are nine primary schools and two secondary schools in the area, the quality of education is poor. Inadequate materials and infrastructure combined with a high pupil-teacher ratio means teachers lack motivation and students tend to drop out of school. Despite the challenges, the community is aware of the importance of education and are receptive to working in partnership with World Vision to raise the standard of education in the area.

Sustainable development

World Vision started Lipiri ADP in 2007, and is working with the community to enhance ongoing development. Its progress will be evaluated every five years, and when the community reaches its goals, World Vision will begin to reduce its support, allowing the community to direct its own development.

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