Development Concept

Strengthening income and food security and access to quality healthcare and education among vulnerable households.

Like many areas in southern Malawi, Machinga District is prone to extreme weather events including drought and flooding. Many households in the District rely on subsistence farming for food and income, leaving them vulnerable to these climate shocks and chronically food insecure. Long distances to towns and amenities limit access to healthcare and alternative employment opportunities, further deepening households' vulnerability. The elderly and households headed by widows, children and people living with HIV are particularly affected, struggling to meet even their basic needs. School absenteeism among children from these families is often high as children are pulled out of education to help the family make ends meet and those that do attend struggle to learn on an empty stomach and without the use of pens or paper.

In their current Egmont-supported project, Development Concept is working with 700 such households across 50 villages in Machinga to increase their wellbeing and economic security through increased access to resources, skills and opportunities for sustainable income generation, food security, education and healthcare.

As part of the project, household heads are being trained in climate smart agriculture, compost making and provided with seeds for drought resistant crops and vegetables, to increase family food security. Additional training in crop preservation and processing techniques is enabling them to make the most of their harvests and earn income from surplus, through products such as juice and soya milk.

To further boost household nutrition and income, household heads are also being trained in livestock management and supplied with chickens and goats. They are also being inducted into savings and loan groups where they can save for the future and access loans to build better homes and start small businesses.

In addition, 1,200 school age children from these families are being provided with school materials and uniforms to support increased attendance and attainment.

To increase ARV treatment adherence among children and adults with HIV in the families, local support groups are being established to share the responsibility to collect and distribute ARVs from the clinic and regularly meet to support one another and learn about HIV treatment and care.