Blantyre Urban, Malawi

Improved water sources have significantly decreased the amount families pay for water and the incidence of water-borne diseases.

Blantyre Urban ADP works in the slum communities of Ndirande and Nkolokoti in Blantyre city. An ADP is a phased programme that covers a number of communities. As communities begin to reach their goals and are able to fund initiatives on their own, World Vision gradually reduces its financial help by reducing the number of sponsored children in those communities.

The good news is that after many years of hard work, with your help, the community where your sponsored child lives is increasing in capacity and will soon be able to continue their development work without World Vision’s direct assistance.

This report lists the changes that have been achieved by Blantyre Urban ADP over the past few years, changes that have made such a difference to people’s lives, bringing them hope for the future.

Selected achievements in Blantyre
During the past 16 years, Blantyre Urban ADP has achieved a number of successes worth celebrating. Here are a few of them:

Health
Education about health, hygiene, sanitation and nutrition has formed an important part of World Vision’s work in the health sector. More than 20 health and water committees have been established and bicycle ambulances have been provided. Together, World Vision and the community have:

• Provided insecticide-treated mosquito nets for sponsored children
• Constructed and maintained wells; the incidence of water-borne disease has decreased significantly
• Improved sanitation and rubbish disposal
• Supported voluntary HIV testing and counselling
• Raised awareness of HIV and AIDS to reduce discrimination and promote prevention
• Established preschools and youth clubs

Education
World Vision renovated classrooms and constructed classrooms and school toilet blocks. Schools were provided with library books to establish a reading culture among students. Desks provided by World Vision mean students no longer have to sit on the floor, helping them to concentrate.

Parents’ meetings and education campaigns have increased awareness of the importance of education and established a system of sharing school fees so all children can attend school. Other activities, such as providing first aid kits for schools and constructing six bridges over streams, have helped to reduce absenteeism.

Income generation
World Vision established 33 village banks to provide savings and credit services so community members can expand their income-generating activities. More than 900 households have been able to improve their small businesses and can now provide for their families and save for emergencies.

World Vision trained village bank management committees to carry out financial transactions in an accountable manner, and community members in small business management and book-keeping.

Conservation
To help reforest the area where people obtain firewood, 65,000 tree seedlings were planted during the first 10 years of the ADP.

Relief
In 1997, flooding affected the slums and destroyed many homes. World Vision quickly responded to this and other disasters, providing immediate assistance and helping people to rebuild their lives.

Leadership development
World Vision has trained village and community leaders, formed committees to focus on different sectors, such as water, and established two community-based organisations. The organisations are now affiliated to the Blantyre city assembly to give them vital support as they continue to lead local development activities.