Communities – one family at a time – Rumphi District, Malawi

Location – Near Bolero on the road to Vwaza Marsh, Rumphi District, northern Malawi

Activities – Community driven Training and Demonstration Centre

Period – 5 years, 2023-2028

Beneficiaries – 30,000+ villagers

Description

Joyce is a single mother raising 3 small children. She had never learned about basic hygiene, how disease is spread, and why safe sanitation – i.e. a toilet – makes a big difference. When cholera hit Rumphi District, Joyce and her friends had no idea how best to protect themselves and their families. Fortunately, her community had been selected for a Community Health Club. Each club has a facilitator (trained by the DTTC staff) who leads weekly meetings learning about topics that range from the benefits of handwashing and how to build an affordable handwashing station, to issues around gender based violence.

Once the basic program was finished and Joyce had her certificate, the members asked the DTTC if they could learn about running small businesses. TIC arranged for two DTTC staff to be trained in the Street Business School methodology and helped each health club to set up a savings account. Each member donates a small amount every week, then the club makes loans to its members. Health has improved, incomes are increasing, and other villagers want to participate as they see the benefits.

All too often poverty and poor health are the result of lack of knowledge, education, and opportunity. Transform International (Canada), and the DTTC (Development Technical Training Centre) led by Tablespoon Chirambo and his team, are transforming rural villages in the Rumphi District through the Community Health Club and Street Business School teachings.