Our successes in 2021
School Project
To enable a more sustainable form of school support, we started the "Goat Project" this year. We purchased 2.5 hectares of land, built a large barn, and a water point for 100 goats. The goal of the project is to ensure independent financing of school fees for 150 children in about 2 years through the sale of goat offspring — without relying on donations. Additionally, 2 jobs were created for goat herders.
We are very excited about this great idea from YCD and the very successful and professional setup. Many thanks to the team in Malawi!
Life Skills for Behavior Change
In 2021, YCD and Pamodzi Tighathe successfully conducted two Life Skills classes at Chikwawa Prison.
Business Starter Package for 60 Ex-Young-Offenders
In 2021, we were able to provide start-up assistance for business creation to 60 people who participated in our Life Skills program and were released from prison.
School Support for 150 Children
Also in 2021, 150 needy students were able to attend school with the support of Patimalawi.
Microloans for the Victims of Child Marriage
In 2021, YCD and Patimalawi successfully granted microloans to 20 young mothers who are victims of child marriage. These young mothers are now able to support themselves and their children with the income from their businesses and some have even returned to school.
2021 Achievements in the Child Marriage Project
-
108 girls were freed from forced marriages and returned to their families with their children.
-
Of these, 20 girls received microloans to start businesses.
-
23 girls returned to school.
-
Awareness campaigns were held in 20 villages to educate people about the physical and psychological effects and human rights violations of child marriage.
-
Four group counseling sessions for victims of child marriage were conducted.
Final Report on COVID-19 Activities duration 6 Weeks
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
It is with our utmost heartfelt thanks to Pamodzi Tingathe Association that YCD writes this report. Pamodzi Tingathe supported Youth Coalition for the Consolidation of Democracy with CHF8, 000 to implement a number of COVID-19 prevention related activities in Malawi especially in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts. To all Pamodzi Tingathe members, donors and all the well-wishers we say THANK YOU. With your support we managed to support 1248 elderly, physically challenged and sick people with maize flour, water-buckets and soap in 70 villages in Nsanje and Chikwawa district. We also managed to reach out to about 25,000 people with the COVID-19 prevention messages as seen in the full report below:
A. Activities Done
1. Sensitization Campaign on COVID-19 Prevention
During the past six (6) weeks YCD carried COVID-19 sensitization campaigns in 70 villages reaching about 25,000 people with COVID-19 prevention messages. We also distributed local leaflets with corona virus messages.
2. Distribution of Maize flour and Water buckets and Soap.
We distributed 1248 bags of maize flour (5kgs each), 552 water buckets and 1248 tablets of soap to 1248 elderly, physically challenged and very sick people in 70 villages of Chikwawa and Nsanje districts in Malawi.
A. CURRENT SITUATION OF THE COVID-19 IN MALAWI
So far Malawi has registered 63 cases of Covid-19, 24 have fully recovered, 36 cases still remain active and 3 have died. As of now, 1696 people have been tested for Covid-19. However, there are fears that these figures might rapidly rise due to the political campaigns for presidential elections. These political rallies have more than 4000 -5000 people gathering together every day without observing the COVID-19 prevention strategy of social distancing.
B. WAY FORWARD
1. YCD will mainstream COVID-19 activities in its existing programmes so that many people are reached with the covid-19 prevention information.
Describe your image
School Fees for the Years 2018-2021
Many families are unable to afford the costs of their children’s schooling. To ensure school attendance, since 2018 we have been able to enable 152 children to attend school. This support covers school fees, uniforms, and writing materials. The photos show the distribution and transport to the boarding school.
The campaign has already been featured multiple times in national newspapers.
YCD BRINGS 55 YOUNG MOTHERS BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES
As part of the "Child Marriage" project, YCD has so far helped 55 mothers aged between 12 and 17 to return to their original families with their children. The girls are now being supported to resume their schooling. Eleven of the girls were able to start small businesses with microloans.
These girls had been forced into marriage due to poverty and suffered severe trauma from experiences of rape and far too early motherhood. YCD made an appeal in the villages for young women to come forward, and these 55 responded. Their stories were heartbreaking. Some had suicidal thoughts.
Report by Cecilia Chochoma, YCD:
YCD and PAMODZI TINGATHE have for the past three months given counselling to 20 victims of child marriages. These girls are between the ages of 12 and 14 and all have babies. These are the girls who show signs of post-traumatic stress and depression owing to sexual abuse by their former older partners. Neither their bodies are prepared nor their innocent little minds. Forced sexual encounters lead to irreversible physical damage. The psychological damage cannot even be comprehended. Thanks to PAMODZI TINGATHE for the funding.