Malawi project profile

Blantyre Urban ADP

Education
As the cost of living is comparatively high in Blantyre City, children often have to leave school to support their families.

World Vision supplies pupils with exercise books, pays school fees and study materials for needy children and awards school bags to top students to encourage children to study hard. It helps construct classrooms in the area’s eight schools and provides school desks and sports equipment. Through drama, role modelling and career talks it drives home the importance of education to parents and children.

Health
The two squatter townships are heavily populated and there is a shortage of basic health services. Communicable diseases such as cholera and scabies prevail.

World Vision establishes and trains health committees to monitor and address health issues, including first aid, sanitation, education about HIV/AIDS prevention and care for orphans and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

The ADP funds a revolving medicine fund and replenishes first aid kits in each of the schools, enabling children to be treated immediately and consequently reducing absenteeism. It assists the communities to construct sanitary public and school latrines.

Children’s health check-ups diagnose and treat common problems such as enlarged spleen (due to chronic malaria), chronic malnutrition and skin diseases due to lack of hygiene. The ADP promotes poultry raising as nutritious food is expensive in Blantyre.

Water
Most of the urban poor cannot afford to buy water so they draw it from streams and unprotected wells, putting their health at risk.

World Vision treats drinking water with chlorine to prevent the spread of cholera and has installed shallow wells in Nkolokoti township. Water committees are trained to monitor and maintain the wells. In Ndirande, where the groundwater is too contaminated for shallow wells, the ADP concentrates on chlorination and public education about the risks of drinking untreated water.

Income generation
Though many people migrate from the countryside in search of work, unemployment is rife. There is little land for cultivation in the urban setting, so people need other means of earning income.

As part of a credit scheme, the ADP helps groups form community banks and trains members in a variety of skills including mushroom growing and jam making, bookkeeping and running a small business. Through these groups people also learn about health issues and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Infrastructure
Many rivers cross the ADP area, making it difficult for people to access markets, schools, health clinics and other services. The ADP builds foot bridges to improve access and safety.

Community leadership
Community members have elected an ADP Executive Committee to oversee development activities. World Vision trains committee members and traditional leaders in leadership and the skills needed to manage the development process.

Sustainable development
World Vision and the people of Blantyre Urban ADP envisage that by 2008 the community’s development will be at a level that no longer requires World Vision assistance. We will keep you updated on their progress.