Mwanyama Village is located near to Lake Malawi and is on the through road between Mangochi (the district capital) and Monkey Bay (one of the busiest towns in the region) and as such, this village of fishers, farmers and tradespeople are often overlooked despite the incredible levels of skill and abilities they have to offer.
For these people, a significant barrier to becoming a successful village is the availability of basic education and childcare. The bulk of education and childcare aid and government provision in the region is directed at the two major towns and cities in the country, meaning these villagers are often left lacking. With less than half of Malawians reaching their human capital potential and less than 5% of Malawians completing secondary education even in areas where provision exists, it is not at all surprising that the people of Mwanyama are impoverished and falling behind their potential.
Good quality education is at the core of a successful community. Where it is often seen as being secondary to good agriculture and safe drinking water, the VF approach sees them as equal in importance. Education drives the ability to produce clean water, the ability to grow effective agriculture in harsh climates, the ability to monitor and maintain good healthcare, thus largely impacting the quality of life generally.
For the children in the VF Nursery, the benefit goes beyond simply learning the alphabet, counting and basic English and Chichewa. VF’s vision will provide a strong foundation to progress onto further formal education through the potential network of VF partners both in Malawi & UK, enabling students to progress from a nursery programme, all the way to university and into life.
This education and safe childcare provision allows the children to grow up into adults who reach their potential, being able to care for the older generations who were not afforded the same opportunity, while also being able to pass the benefits of this education on to future generations.
During the education process, the project initially gives a safe space for children to learn, play and “just be kids”, while offering the parents of these children the reassurance that their little ones are safe, secure and being well looked after while they go out to work and take opportunities offered to them to grow their way out of poverty.
This project also has the added benefit of providing a boost to local economies. As well as providing for the future, the project employs grounds staff, security, education and childcare workers, cooks and other ancillary staff, meaning that it is having meaningful impacts on local employability rates while also preparing the next generation to reach their potential.
When partnered with VF’s child feeding, health screening and healthcare projects, and also benefitting from the clean water facilities nearby, this project provides a holistic approach to supporting the young in the village to grow up wealthier, happier and healthier than those who preceded them, paving the way for a marked generational improvement in life that will in turn spawn future development.
Lastly, this project provides a meaningful experience for volunteers who work in the childcare and education sectors, as well as providing life-changing experiences for international students to come and work at the project, allowing people to bring their expertise to make a genuine and tangible difference to Malawi.