65 adult learners graduate in Salima

ADRA Malawi through the Tsogolo Labwino Project has facilitated capacity building of 65 adult learners who are now able to read and write. The graduates received certificates at a colorful ceremony held at Traditional Authority Kambwiri in Salima District.
According to Shadreck Bandawo, Tsogolo Labwino Community Development Coordinator, the number of graduates was a big success considering that many students left the formal education 30 years ago, but were still eager to advance their skills  . He however bemoaned the low number of male students who were only 2 out of 65.
Speaking during the function, Traditional Authority kambwiri urged people in his area to enroll in adult school classes. He advised graduates to use the skills acquired meaningfully especially for the development of the area.

Graduates displaying their certificates

The graduating class started learning in July 2012 with the initial enrollment of 136 students and only 8 were men. The oldest graduate was Selina Eliya 70, who shared her joy when she received her certificate.
For women the reading and writing skills would help them raise their self esteem and give them the opportunity to participate or elected in decision making positions in community based organization structures that have high male domination.
Tsogolo Labwino Project is being supported by Australia to improve the quality of life for people of Salima. 

REFLECT training for ADRA staff starts bearing fruits in Mzuzu

Hetherwick Manda, HIV/AIDS & Media Facilitator, Mzuzu/Mzimba District

ADRA Malawi recently conducted a REFLECT Training Workshop for staff members involved in the Action for Social Change, Danida funded project. The aim of the training was to equip members of staff with skills and knowledge on how to manage REFLECT Circles in their respective districts.

At the end of the workshop participants were required to use the skills gained in their catchment areas to establish REFLECT circles. In Mzuzu the Civil Society Facilitator organized a series of meetings to sensitize community members, relevant stakeholders, and Traditional leaders about the importance of having a REFLECT Circle in their communities.

After several successful meetings, we are happy to report that in Mzuzu /Mzimba District five REFLECT circles have been established with committees and appointed REFLECT Circle Facilitators (3 male and 2 female). These circles are formed in the following GVHs: GVH Kaithazi (with 2 circles) and in GVH Kadambo Kanyinji, GVH Msafili Chavula and GVH Zakeyu Nkhambule (with 1 circle each).

Plans are at an advanced stage for the training of the circle facilitators who will be responsible for the day to day running of these circles. The good news is that these circles have already started meeting despite that facilitator are not yet trained.  This is a clear indication that these communities are very keen and have an interest in actively participating in these circles and the development of their areas.

Attending Literacy classes

For most followers of this blog reading and writing is a given in life; however in Malawi, official estimates point to over 4.6 Million people out of 13 M that do not have the ability to read and write. From those, the vast majority reside in the rural areas and way over half are women.

In a recent visit to one of our projects in the district of Mulanje, I was able to participate in one of the Functional Adult Literacy classes that ADRA promotes. It was a special moment to see women that had spent their life asking someone else to read or write for them stand and proudly write their name, read a text, or demonstrate their numeracy skills. From the several conversations with the persons attending the Literacy class, it was clear that knowing how to read had increased these women’s self esteem and exposed them to new opportunities to engage in small business partnerships. To support this new interest and development initiative ADRA has trained these groups on how to establish a Village Savings and Loans Fund, functioning entirely with the group contributions and management. These funds are set up to allow these women to access a loan or to have the money they invest earn interest.

ADRA Malawi is providing access to literacy classes to 1000 people per year in Mulanje, specially targeting women, and has similar literacy programs in two other districts (Neno and Salima).

ADRA Malawi has reached with development and relief activities over 160.000 people in 2009 and is an active member of the ADRA worldwide network present in over 120 countries.

Author: Emanuel da Costa

Mary, an icon of hope in Waruma Village

Author: Andyiesa Mahango - Women Empowerment Project Manager

Mary Majoni 25, of Waruma Village could not believe that she is now able to read, write and count figures.

Married with four children and expecting a fifth child, Mary has never been to school because she had to look after her mother who was sick persistently before she died 15 years ago. She was the only girl in the family of four children and even if she attained school age, she was forced to cook and care for her sick mother. Her father left them when they were very young and they have never seen him since.

When her mother died, life became unbearable for her and her brothers. Her brothers dropped out of school and preferred casual labor for survival while Mary’s life miseries forced her to get married at the age of 16.

When the Women Empowerment Project came to Waruma Village and introduced adult literacy programs, Mary became one of the first five women to enroll. At the early stages, other women used to laugh at her apparently because adult literacy was a strange program and many thought it would not work for adults. But Mary paid no attention to the scoffs she got from her friends and concentrated on the program. A few months later, things began to change as she was now able to read and write. This became strange news to the whole village and people started to talk about it.

Strangely, the number of people enrolling for adult literacy class rose to 35 from 5 because of Mary’s testimonies.

Mary’s husband is happy too and said in an interview that he did not expect it happen to his wife. Mary uses the knowledge to assist her two children with school home work and helps her husband with their business plans. Mary said she has on several occasions tested for HIV with her husband and she encourages other to do the same. With her fifth pregnancy, Mary has never skipped HIV test at antenatal clinic and she encourages other women who shun antenatal clinic for fear of being tested to go for testing. The Malawi Government has embarked mandatory counseling and testing in a bid to reduce HIV mother to child transmission and Mary is fulfilling her responsibilities to inform others about the right to good health.

Mary however said that the sky was her limit as she intends to enroll into formal education and learn how to speak English and participate at higher levels of community activities. Her husband is a radio repair and they plant cassava seasonally for cash and for consumption. The project intends to link women like Mary to government lending institutions such as MARDEF for business loan. This is part of capacity building and economic empowerment.

This borehole is located few metres from Mary’s house and was made as an ADRA investment in partnership with the community. The provision of easily accessible water gives time to women like Mary to attend adult literacy programs.

Climbing Ladders to Literacy

Alice Chikavumbwa and her husband Benzes Mendulo Chikavumbwa from Njema village are a couple taking part in the Women Empowerment Project. Being both illiterate they joined the Adult Literacy class. However he left school for casual labour in town hence was unable to consistently attend the lessons. The wife continued with the lessons and is now able to write the alphabet letters. She says that the husband is behind her success because he encourages her to attend lessons. Mr. Benzes is encouraging other men to allow their wives to attend classes because he says he has come to understand that educating a woman is key to development at both household and community levels. She is now able to help her grand child who is in Standard (Grade) One with alphabet home work.
On the same note, Simon Mukota, a 68 year old CBO member from Namijingo village says: “Am a proud man! I no longer sign using my thumb. I am able to write my name. I have discovered the beauty of holding a pen and write on my own.” He joined the Adult literacy class which is being facilitated by ADRA Women Empowerment Project with funding from Sweden. He explains that during his childhood he did not have opportunity to attend school. His parents passed away in Mozambique when he was very young. He then moved to Malawi and was raised up by his relatives who did not encourage him to attend school. As a little boy he started working in the tea estates with no opportunity to education. He became a man without knowing even how to write his name. “Life becomes more exciting in reading and writing. The fact that I can read the bible is the most precious gift in my adulthood. Thank you ADRA for empowering us” says Mr. Mukota. This has brought a new life in this family comprising of a wife, children and three orphans. He got motivation from his wife who had some basic education during her childhood hence she is able to read and write. Though the class in his community comprises mainly of women, (15 women 1 man) Mukota is willingly working hand in hand with them in all development work and encouraging his family and other community members to consider educating themselves and children for a brighter future.

It has been noted that Adult literacy is the key to women empowerment leading to community empowerment. The women empowerment initiatives have created a conducive environment for men to appreciate and be able to discuss gender and human rights issues in forums like the one in the picture above.

Author: Andyiesa Mahango

Project Manager

Women Empowerment Project

ADRA Sweden and Swedish Government funded project