• An overview of Malawi
• Information about Bandawe

Malawi

Malawi is a land-locked country in south-east Africa bordering Mozambique to the south and east, Zambia to the west and Tanzania to the north-east (see map below). A large proportion of the country, up to one third by some estimates, is dominated by Lake Malawi also known as Lake Nyasa. The country was formerly a part of the British Empire known as Nyasaland and became independent in 1964. It was thereafter ruled by former President-for-life Dr Hastings Banda. Today Malawi is a multi-party democracy and the current president is Bingu wa Mutharika. The capital of Malawi is Lilongwe in the country's central region. Other major towns include the large financial and industrial centre of Blantyre and the former colonial capital of Zomba both in the South. Mzuzu and Nkhata Bay in the north are also large and important towns, the latter a hot-spot for tourism. More information on the history, politics and geography of Malawi can be found by visiting the Links page

Challenges for development
Malawi is one of the most densley populated countries in Africa and also one of the poorest (estimates of average annual GDP range between $350 and $600). Malawi faces a number of significant challenges for development including:

• Lack of available land for agriculture
• Poorly diversified agriculture, a harsh climate and poor soils
• Food poverty and malnutrition
• High rates of deforestation and land degradation with significant impacts on wildlife
• Large demand for fish from the lake impacting on stocks and the high diversity of endemic cichlidae
• Widespread prevalence of HIV and AIDS
• Significant health problems caused by Malaria
• Economic stagnation that prevents heavy investment in health and education

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Bandawe

Location and history Bandawe is a small village on the lake shore of northern region of Malawi close to the town of Chintheche and between Nkhotakhota and Nkhata Bay on the main north-south road. Bandawe is of significant historical interest as it was the second home of the missionaries of the Free Church of Scotland led by Dr. Robert Laws and inspired by David Livingstone. The mission moved to Bandawe from Cape MacClear at the southern end of the lake to try and escape malaria. The disease is however a serious problem here too and several of the missionaries died. The village is home to the old mission church built in 1901 and nearby can be found the graves of several of the early missionaries, the young ages in the headstones testament to the ravages of Malaria. In a further attempt to escape these problems the mission eventually moved further north to found the town of Livingstonia on the Nyika Plateau away from the malaria-bearing mosquitos of the lake. The local development challenge Many of the problems facing the communities of Bandawe are similar to those experienced in the rest of Malawi. There is little formal employment and a significant reliance upon poorly-diversified traditional subsidence agriculture to meet everyday needs. Other problems include High rates of HIV infection and large numbers of children orphaned by AIDS Significant health impacts of malaria Unsustainable extraction of fuel-wood from remaining primary forest far from villages Frequent grass burning that prevents woodland regeneration Low soil fertility Flooding and soil erosion linked to lack of forest cover Accute poverty that limits access to education Limited investment in schools creating large class-sizes and poor facilities

The Shanti Trust works with local communities in and around Bandawe to provide support and education that will allow local people to improve their lives. We support volunteer placements to bring in outside expertise that can contribute to local development. For more information on our work follow the links at the top of the page.

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