During the month of April I was offered an opportunity by a friend who was on the Watson Fellowship in Botswana; to accompany him on a most unique of adventures into the heartland of Southern Africa, so as to get away from the coastal paradises of South Africa where one can forget what continent he/she is on. Malawi was my destination with a mission to gain some experience working with NGOs in the development context. 

© Lake Malawi, Ian Warthin

Oh Malawi. A country nearly the same size of New Jersey, but inhabited by 13 million people. Instead of having a huge 8 lane artery running through the state with car backups on both sides, like New Jersey has her turnpike, you see people walking at all times on all roads even though by 2002 only 18.5% of them were paved. Such is the fate for the majority of commuters in this country constantly listed in the ten poorest countries in the world. But lack of public transportation is nowhere near the biggest problem in small Malawi. Poverty, corruption, maize shortages, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS all take the front seat to transportation.

This tableau does initially seem grim, however, this is all happening in the larger landscape of lush Malawi. Lake Malawi, rolling hills and nice, kind hearted people made my stay there remarkably enjoyable. It is these people and this countryside where the future of Malawi lies. In 2005 both the Millennium Development Goals and Malawi's National AIDS Commission (NAC) announced that Community Development projects at the micro level needed to be invested in.

© Lilongwe Area 49, Ian Warthin

These kind-hearted men have been blessed by their local tribal chief and been given land in the village center to do their work in helping orphans and vulnerable children. When food can be afforded they cook meals for over 200 children on Saturday’s. So as to become more sustainable they have also begun writing proposals to build a small poultry farm, and some garden plots.

Although they have many programming ideas the most ambitious, and the one that impressed me the most was to begin monthly town meeting days. This would be an opportunity to incorporate these children who lack the structure of a regular family into the village structure. Cuthbert spoke eloquently of how globalization and the invasion of US individualism has caused outliars in their societies, like widows, the elderly, and orphans to be extradite from the societal fabrique. Through these town meetings, or fun fairs these children can be re-integrated into society.

© YOSSA office, Ian Warthin

Although I am by no means an expert on what Malawi's needs are for the future. It has become clear to me that the people driving international NGO sponsored trucks and SUV's in Lilongwe are not the sole solution to Malawi's development woes. These grassroots, community level organizations are in better contact with the people in Malawi, however are in need of tutelage and funding from the international community. The motivation, innovation, manpower and community infrastructure are all readily available. The real need is for a partnership to be built up between a local community organization in the Western World who can primarily help with the writing of proposals and grant requests, but also as a fundraising partner.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ian.warthin@gmail.com.

To learn more about Malawi, check out these links.

Malawi Overview, The Africa Guide
Malawi Country Guide, OneWorld.net
Malawi Latest News, Allafrica.com

Malawi Background, World Fact Book