Most Malawians live harvest to harvest, surviving on a limited diet devoid of minimum daily nutrients. When an extended drought ruins a harvest, many starve. General attitudes of most villages are focused on survival – simply to stay alive.
Since 2009, Villages in Partnership is channeling its energies and resources on building self-sustaining communities. Through careful management of resources, VIP is providing the training, resources, tools, and essential support that has enabled thousands of Malawians to become sustainable eco-communities.
Highlights since Villages in Partnership first began its mission in 2009:
Water Project Accomplishments
• 11 Shallow Wells are dug
• 29 Bore Hole Water Wells are drilled
• 1000 people trained in 13 villages in WASH (Water and Sanitation Hygiene) techniques
Food Project Accomplishments
• 91 Bee Hives are Installed & 11 Bee Management Teams are Trained
• 372 Goats are Distributed throughout the Region
• 100 Chickens
• 90 Rabbits
• 355 Farmers trained in Conservation Farming and Animal Management
• 26 Lead Farmers trained and certified
Infrastructure Projects
• 6 Bridges Installed connecting Villages to schools, clinics and markets
• 16 classrooms constructed including complete renovation of Sakata Primary School
• 9 Teacher Family houses built
• 9 Solar Power systems installed in Faculty Housing
• 8 Playground construction projects
• 13 Tree Nurseries raising 17,000 tree seedlings annually
• 23 Women trained in use and construction of energy saving mud stoves
Education
• 87 Students awarded secondary school scholarships
• 8 Students awarded university scholarships
• 8 Preschools established
Healthcare
• 4 Outreach Clinics
• 300+ American Doctors, Nurses, and Nursing Students visited and donated their time and expertise
• 18,400 lbs. of medical equipment and supplies donated by volunteer healthcare professionals
• 40,000 patients impacted by the Medical Outreach Mission since 2009
Economic Development
• 20 Village Savings and Loan Associations established
• 400 members trained in resource management, investment, loans, and economic development
• Established sewing, mending, tailoring association through gifts of sewing machines
• Established beekeeping village providing revenue through the sale of honey
• 295 broiler chickens were sold by new youth club teaching the basic principles of business transactions