80 per cent of World Vision Malawi projects achieved in Nayuchi

Eighty percent of World Vision Malawi (WVM) projects which they implemented at Nayuchi area in Machinga district from October, 1998 has been achieved, WVM Acting Programme manager Steven Chekecheke said this to members of the press prior to the phase out of the project expected to elapse on 30th September, 2013.

World Vision Malawi started Nayuchi ADP with support from World Vision Australia in 1998, according to Chekecheke.

“By then, the community was very poor and far much behind, worse than even some national indicators today,” he said.

He said the program is in its transition period and all the process is expected to be complete by 30th September, 2013 after clocking a lifespan of 15 years.

Chekecheke said they are delighted to have made a tremendous improvement in all the projects implemented in HIV and AIDS, Health and Nutrition, Food Security and Education.

A Community Day Secondary School student in a Library courtesy of World Vision Malawi....Photo Jeromy Kadewere
A Community Day Secondary School student in a Library courtesy of World Vision Malawi….Photo Jeromy Kadewere
An HTC centre which was built by WVM.....Photo Jeromy Kadewere
An HTC centre which was built by WVM…..Photo Jeromy Kadewere
She is proud of  an arrigation scheme after being trained by World Vision Malawi....Photo Jeromy Kadewere
She is proud of an arrigation scheme after being trained by World Vision Malawi….Photo Jeromy Kadewere
One of World Vision Malawi beneficiaries.....Photo Jeromy  Kadewere
One of World Vision Malawi beneficiaries…..Photo Jeromy Kadewere
They can now access clean water.....Photo Jeromy Kadewere
They can now access clean water…..Photo Jeromy Kadewere

He, however, challenged the community to make sure that they utilise the knowledge they gained in order for the projects to be sustained.

Key areas

Chekecheke said HIV prevalence rates in Nayuchi were very high 15 years ago.

“Among other factors influencing this was; the rail line that passes through to Mozambique, this, in one way or the other, made it a busy area. Besides, the area is close to Lakes Chilwa and Malombe that adds on its busy schedules,” he said.

WVM, together with Ministry of Health under the Machinga District Health Office carried out the ‘Tigwirizane Posamalira ana’ project in the ADP.

The project resulted in beneficial outcomes in HIV testing and counselling, safe circumcision practice, behaviour change and involvement of religious leaders.

WVM has also constructed two HTC centres in the community.

Health and Nutrition

Chekecheke also said drilling of boreholes has benefited the people of Nayuchi much better because cholera cases dropped quite significantly over the years to an extent that they recorded zero cases in the previous year.

He also elaborated that their organisation has been helping Health Centres in the community with Vitamin A and other immunizations that have ensured good health for children.

“We also introduced Growth Monitoring Volunteers in Nayuchi. These are people that always went around monitoring children’s health and giving advice. They were trained by us and provided with working materials,” he said.

Food Security

On food security, Chekecheke said fifteen years ago, only 15 percent of Nayuchi’s total population could produce food to keep them all year round unlike today, where he said things have changed for the better.

He said for instance through various irrigation schemes introduced across the community, through the promotion of the use and production of organic fertilisers, more households are food secure.

He said Water pumping engines were given to some groups, with others benefiting through daily cows given on a pass-on-basis.

Cognitive of the droughts that mostly affect the community, the planting of drought resistant crops to serve as fall back resources was also introduced and promoted.

Chekecheke concluded on food security by mentioning that farmers have also formed cooperatives in order to gain bargaining power in their trading of agricultural products from their community.

Education

In Education, WVM through Nayuchi ADP constructed CDSSs and Primary School blocks at Nampeya and Mpinganjira.

Chekecheke emphasized that all the constructed schools were also supplied with desks, books and latrines.

He said they also invested in CBCCs in a quest to literacy among learners as per it’s strategy that is targeting the attainment of literacy skills by 3.5 million children come 2015.

Towards the end FY 12, the Transition plan was shared to all key stakeholders for review and comments and feedback was given to be incorporated.  FY 13 In February 2013 saw a milestone of the Transition plan by transitioning power from the Area Development Committee which acted as a management structure to the board of Trustees known as Nayuchi Chinyasa Board of trustees.

Nayuchi Chinyasa Board of Trustees is a management structure that has representations from the key local government structures of the area. It reports to the Area Development Committees of the three Traditional Authorities. The three months it has been in office, it has been able to;

In his conclusion, Chekecheke said the future looks bright for children of Nayuchi as he commended the government, through Machinga District Office for always being there.

“Without them, the journey would have been impossible, and nothing but a mere dream. Preparations are under way to have cerebrations and a program effectiveness meeting which will mark the winding up of World Vision’s stay in the area,” he

 ADP Background

Nayuchi ADP is in Machinga district in the southern region of Malawi. It is located east of Machinga District headquarters and Liwonde Township.

The area is situated between two lakes, Chilwa to the south and Lake Chiuta to the north-east.

It also shares border with Mozambique to the east.  The ADP has an estimated population of over 47,000 against the districts 433,264 (District Social Economic Profile, 2007-12). This represents 10.8% of the districts population. Out of these, 53% are females.

The goal of the ADP is to improve quality of life for 7,800 households (46931 people) of which 21,518 are males living in Nayuchi ADP by 2013”. This goal would also help the communities to achieve the child well-being outcomes (CWBOs).

World Vision

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

The organisation serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

“Everything we do has just one goal: the sustained well-being of children, especially the most vulnerable. We work with families, communities, and partners to ensure that children enjoy good health, are educated for life, experience the love of God and their neighbours, and are cared for, protected, and participating,”said Chekecheke.

He said their fifteen years of working with People from Nayuchi have brought moments that will forever be committed to memory by both the community and World Vision staff that interacted and interfaced with the people each passing day.

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