Updated: March 2009
Malawi
Overview | World Vision's history in Malawi| World Vision in Malawi today
OverviewLocated in southeast Africa, the Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country bordered by Mozambique to the east, south, and southwest, Zambia to the west, and Tanzania to the north. Lake Malawi, the 10th largest lake in the world, occupies the majority of the country’s eastern border. The north-south Great Rift Valley, which runs through the center of the country, is flanked by mountain ranges and high, narrow, elongated plateaus. In the higher elevations, Malawi is cooler than many other African countries, but the lowlands are hot, humid, and tropical. Natural resources include limestone, hydropower, uranium, coal, and bauxite.Due in large part to the explorations of David Livingstone, the area known then as Nyasaland became a British protectorate in 1891. After several decades of public outcry for independence, Malawi became a self-governed nation on July 6, 1964. One-party rule under the presidency of Dr. Hastings Banda lasted for 30 years, but in 1994 the Malawian people voted for a new form of government. As a result, the country held their first free democratic multiparty elections that year, voting in Bakili Mazuli as president. A decade later, current president and economist Bingu wa Mutharika took office amid pressure to alleviate the country’s deteriorating economy. The three prominent ethnic groups in Malawi are the Chewa, who occupy the central area; the Nyanja, who live predominantly in the south; and the Tumbuka, who have settled mostly in the north. Other groups include the Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, and Ngonde, as well as some Asians and Europeans. Chichewa is the country’s official language, though English and others are spoken regionally. Eighty-two percent of Malawians live in rural areas and are engaged in farming. Agriculture products include corn, sugarcane, cotton, tea, vegetables, nuts, cattle, and goats. Despite a recent surplus of maize, severe food insecurity in Malawi has afflicted approximately 4 million people—more than a million of whom are children under age five or pregnant women. The chronic food crisis is a major cause of malnutrition and has increased the risk of diseases. |  |
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| Eighty-two percent of Malawians live in rural areas and are engaged in farming. Agriculture products include corn, sugarcane, cotton, tea, vegetables, nuts, cattle, and goats. Despite a recent surplus of maize, severe food insecurity in Malawi has afflicted approximately 4 million people—more than a million of whom are children under age five or pregnant women. The chronic food crisis is a major cause of malnutrition and has increased the risk of diseases. Drought, fluctuating trade expenses, high transport costs, few skilled laborers, and a deteriorating transportation infrastructure are the primary reasons that this largely agriculture-dependent economy is struggling. Malawi is ranked in the bottom eight percent of the world’s least developed countries on the human development index. Nearly 53 percent of people live below the poverty threshold, the inflation rate is 28 percent, and more than three-quarters of the population live on less than $2 per day. Nearly 75 percent of secondary school-age children are either working or staying home to care for their families instead of receiving valuable education. Despite attempts at economic reform, the government continues to face challenges due to a rapidly growing population and the increasing number of HIV and AIDS cases. The HIV prevalence rate is 14 percent; nearly 1 million people in the country are living with the disease. More than 550,000 children have lost one of both of their parents to HIV and AIDS. In addition, the threat of cholera remains high in Malawi due to outbreaks during the rainy season (November to April); this becomes a huge risk in flood situations because of the possible breakdown of water and sanitation capabilities. Back to top World Vision's history in MalawiWorld Vision has worked in Malawi for the last 33 years. From 1975 to 1992, World Vision partnered with the Africa Evangelical Fellowship to support the Lulwe School for the Blind, a Christian residential institution. Children were provided with primary education, Braille reading and writing skills, mobility training, handicrafts and clothes-making training, transportation, medical care, and good nutrition.In 1978, World Vision assisted St. Luke’s Hospital, in partnership with the Anglican Church, by supplying 30 rural health centers with medicine and roofing materials for repairs after a strong whirlwind. The first pastors conference was held that year with 150 in attendance. In 1981, World Vision opened an office in Malawi and began child sponsorship. By the end of 1985, a total of 4,056 children were receiving care. Numerous sponsorship and community development projects were initiated to provide assistance in regard to nutrition, clean water access, medical services, education, adult literacy, income generation, vocational training, and evangelism, as well as training in health and childcare, agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and community leadership. In addition, the need for improved primary school facilities in rural areas was addressed. Bridges were built to provide communities with crucial access to schools and hospitals as well as commercial routes. A second pastors conference was held in 1985 with 240 in attendance. Near the end of 1986, development activities were being conducted in 68 communities. That same year, relief assistance began to help the rising number of Mozambican refugees entering Malawi because of civil war. The number of refugees had reached 860,000 by the end of the decade. By 1991, World Vision was working in 127 development projects and reaching 22,147 sponsored children. World Vision’s increasing awareness and concern for the special disadvantages of women and their pivotal role in the health care of children and as teachers of future generations led to the implementation of projects specifically targeting women’s needs. The Kachere Women in Development Project provided training in income generation, spiritual nurture and evangelism, immunization clinics, and revolving loans. The Kabudula Child Survival Project addressed the high morbidity rates among children under age five. Activities included interventions in nutrition, immunization, sanitation, and malaria prevention. The Zomba Relief Food Project was initiated following a severe drought and resulting crop failure in 1994. World Vision began a massive distribution of food to affected families. For the last 10 years, World Vision has focused efforts on nutrition, safe water and sanitation practices, education, health care, child immunization, training of health workers, agricultural production, income generation, and HIV and AIDS interventions, education, and training. Back to top World Vision in Malawi todayWorld Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Malawi to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Currently, more than 123,800 children are registered in the World Vision sponsorship program. Several times this number of children and other family members benefit from World Vision activities. Of these registered children, many have World Vision sponsors in other countries. U.S. donors sponsor 32,382 girls and boys. In addition, World Vision operates 39 development programs, nine of which are supported by U.S. donors. Highlights of these efforts include the following:
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