Our Inspiring Visit with a Community Based Organization in Malikha

World Camp Country Manager Michael Kumwenda, Program Coordinator Karen Clark, and Professional Capacity Building Intern Rufus Faggons ventured to meet with the leadership and members of Kasumba CBO (Community Based Organization) near Liwera Full Primary School in the Malikha Primary School Zone.

We were warmly welcomed by the staff, who had arranged nametags on our seats. They dove right into sharing with us the meat of their efforts. The Kasumba CBO membership hovers around 30 and they serve 58 villages! There are over 200 orphans living in their catchment area, but the number is increasing at an alarming rate.

The CBO has been serving the Kasumba area for five years, and when asked why each member joined, they all provided different and very personal responses. One woman’s sister-in-law was handicapped and she wanted to provide support not only for her sister-in-law, but for everyone in her area who faced physical handicaps (both women are pictured right). One man, frustrated that his children couldn’t go to school during the rainy season because the road washed out, has personally vowed to plant 1,000 trees during the year 2012 to combat deforestation and preserve his environment. Another man observed the human rights of youth being abused in his community.  He joined the CBO to learn more about child rights and use the group as a way to educate and sensitize the community to the fragility, resilience, and potential of youth. One woman noticed the growing number of orphans in her community and the fact that they weren’t getting the support they should from their extended families. She’s been at the forefront of Early Child Development Centers and Orphan Support Units in the area.

The main room in the CBO’s office. The sign reads,
“2010: HIV and AIDS Outside the Box: Living Positive with HIV and AIDS.”

So far, the CBO has realized amazing success: they have set up and sustained seven Community Based Childcare Centers, supported school drop outs and orphans through the donation of school uniforms and feeding programs, held weekly after school athletic events and tutoring sessions during the school year, handed out five wheelchairs for those with disabilities, and sensitized the community to the benefits of education and the risks of early

marriages. But there’s still a long way to go. HIV rates are rising, the Home Based Care group lacks adequate training, the CBO shares a building with all other community groups and the church, some of the husbands of the female members don’t like when they go to meetings, adult literacy is low, and funding is a large problem.

Two CBO members show a map and posters
used to log information

Despite the future struggles of Kasumba, we were struck by the members’ openness, articulation of past success and future objectives, complete commitment to positive growth and development, and passion for those living in their communities. Kasumba Community Based Organization is a forum for activists in Liwera to plan and accomplish their dreams for community improvement, and with the passion we saw this week, we have no doubt they will!

Current Events in Malawi

Malawi launches early childhood education week

The Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Jennifer Chilunga has recently launched the 2012 National Early Childhood Development Awareness Week. The week will comprise of several activities aimed at promoting early childhood development (ECD), which Chilunga emphasizes, helps children excel in school as well as become more successful later in life.

Recently the Malawi government has put more emphasis on ECD starting with an increase in ECD policies and an increase in the amount of education centers available throughout the country. These programs seek to protect and promote children’s rights to develop emotionally, socially, and physically, to their potential.

Yet despite this progress, nearly 65% of children in Malawi do not have access to these Early Childhood Development facilities and resources. However the government and other enterprises have come together to create the National Advocacy and Communication Strategy in 2009 to increase public awareness and to seek more funding for these ECD programs.

http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/09/11/malawi-launches-early-childhood-education-week/

Government wants 80% of all sexually active men circumcised

As another measure to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, the Malawi government plans to circumcise 80% of sexually active men from the age of fifteen to forty-nine. The Deputy Health Minister announced this policy of national voluntary medical male circumcision last week. This additional measure was advised by the World Health Organization to the government of Malawi.

Deputy Health Minister stated the importance of male circumcision as a part of a comprehensive plan to thwart the spread of this disease, which also includes other methods of protection, including male and female condoms.

While this large-scale program has been controversial in this more conservative country, governmental officials are convinced of the benefits that voluntary male circumcision could mean for the country. Currently, this policy is implemented in nine pilot districts, including one called Mulanje where the estimated infection rate hovers at 17%.

http://www.malawivoice.com/2012/09/06/govt-wants-80-of-all-sexually-active-men-circumcised-82251/