​Our successes in 2023
School Project
In addition to the 152 students whose school attendance we support each year, in 2023 another 32 orphaned children were also enabled to attend school. They received school uniforms, notebooks, and pens, and their school fees were paid. As every year, the day of handing out the school supplies is a big and exciting day for the children and for YCD.
Disaster Relief for Flood Victims
Tropical storm Fredy left many people homeless and without food. We were able to supply 1,960 people with maize flour, saving them from certain death.
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Construction of Houses and a Cultural Center in Former Flood Camp (Matsukambiya Village)
On the land allocated to people by the government after the flood disaster, a village is slowly emerging. So far, 37 houses have been built, with 13 more under construction.
YCD is also building a cultural center intended for various uses—mainly for the benefit of children. Every morning, a kindergarten is held there, and in the afternoons, school children participate in activities such as games, discussion groups, music, and dance.
Since September, 80 of the poorest families in Matsukambiya have been regularly supplied with maize flour. They will continue to receive maize flour until February. From March/April onwards, a harvest is expected, enabling self-sufficiency.
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Child Marriage
YCD visited 8 villages and organized a “Child-Marriage-Awareness” event. These events, which include dance, music, and information about child marriage, are very popular and well attended by the local population.
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Orphans
In 2023, more sponsors were found for orphans again.
Currently, 53 orphans live with foster families.
12 orphans still live on the street. YCD provides them with food
so they do not go hungry, but they deeply wish for a home.
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Prison Project
At Chikwawa Prison, we conducted two life skills programs,
each lasting 10 weeks, preparing inmates who are close to
release for life outside prison.
In 2023, 50 inmates released from prison received start-up aid
of CHF 60 (Business Starter Pack).
To prevent so many people from being harmed again in another flood disaster, Patimalawi and YCD have developed a prevention project. As a first step, a stockpile of maize was purchased in the fall when it was very cheap and is now stored with Francis. Since the rainy season is in full swing, YCD now monitors the weather forecast daily, and when floods are imminent, an information chain is activated to urge people in the villages to evacuate in time. They know where to go with their belongings until the floodwaters recede. After the disaster, YCD will distribute seeds so that a quick return to self-sufficiency is possible.
Surprisingly, UNICEF staff came to the site and inspected the village and the cultural center. We are pleased that UNICEF is now building a well next to the cultural center so that the people in Matsukambiya have access to water and don’t have to walk kilometers to the nearest well. We are happy that UNICEF’s well construction contributes to the development of the village of Matsukambiya.
65 child brides were able to return to their families of origin again in 2022-2023. YCD also maintains contact with the husbands and tries to encourage understanding between them as well as to ensure they contribute to the children’s expenses.
For young mothers who were returned to their families, 10 discussion afternoons were held. These sessions are led by YCD with the goal of providing the young women a space to share experiences and build networks. Many of them are traumatized and have little prospects without financial support.
