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Kameme Area Program

Sponsor a child

Program Type

Community Development

Planned Life Cycle

2014 - 2029

Location

Malawi

Areas of Focus

Livelihoods  | Education 

Program Timeline

Status: Active

Progress

6,083people had access to sanitation facilities like toilets at home or school

Progress

5,883children attended in-school or after-school literacy activities

Progress

5,100reading materials were provided to schools and communities in support of children's education

A white jeep driving through a muddy path, featuring a rainbow and trees in the background.

Program Details

Context

Kameme is a rural community home to 22,293 people in northern Malawi, close to the borders of Tanzania and Zambia. Many of Kameme's families migrated from Tanzania years ago and still proudly preserve their cultural identity.

People make their living as small-scale farmers and maize is the staple crop, accounting for 60% of families caloric intake. This can create issues with malnutrition as there is not enough dietary variety to provide balanced nutrition.

The community is 99% Christian, but cultural norms and beliefs create an environment where children are not always protected or involved in decisions that affect them. Girls are frequently removed from school to get married so their families will receive a dowry. Boys, too, are pressured to begin herding cattle at a young age.

The percentage of families led by women is 46%"often the result of abandonment after premature marriages. Women don't have the same rights and privileges as men so this creates economic challenges where women struggle to provide for their children without the resources or incomes they need.

...
Challenges
Education
The state of education in Kameme makes it difficult for children to succeed in school. With a shortage of trained teachers, class sizes are far bigger than they should be-109 students for every one teacher. The quality of education suffers in these conditions and students can't keep up, seen in the high school pass rate of 65%.

Poor sanitation in schools is another factor. Without latrines, girls are likely to skip class or drop out altogether once they hit puberty. Young girls are in need of female role models to encourage them in their education, but very few teachers in Kameme are women. Unfortunately children rarely get the support they need at home, since most parents have not completed primary school and don't see the value of formal education.

Health Care
Malnutrition is a major challenge, especially for women and children under age 5. Families haven't learned the importance of preparing balanced, nutritious meals and food shortages are common, particularly during the dry months. Malnutrition, when combined with poor sanitation and hygiene, leaves children vulnerable to other sicknesses like diarrhea, while families also battle chronic malaria and pneumonia.

Unfortunately, health care services in the community are difficult to access and lack the resources they need to provide quality care. Cultural beliefs also impact family health. For example, traditional practices create high risks for HIV transmission, and women are taught not to deliver their first child at a health centre.

Food
Kameme's families are struggling to provide enough food for their children. Most people here are small-scale farmers, cultivating small plots of land. They are vulnerable to Malawi's frequent natural disasters like floods and droughts, which wreak havoc on growing seasons.

Since farmers rely on traditional practices, their yields are small and without proper storage methods, it's estimated that 40% of crops are lost after harvesting. It's hard for people to overcome these challenges without access to markets, suppliers or credit from banking institutions that would open up opportunities for stronger seeds and livestock....
Plans
Education
To ensure children in Kameme can read, write and pursue their educational goals, World Vision will work to:
  • Train committees to oversee quality of schooling and advocate for more skilled teachers.
  • Work with teachers to develop effective learning materials for their students.
  • Motivate children in their education through activities like school clubs and reading camps.
  • Strengthen early childhood education programs with staff training and learning materials.
  • Construct latrines, handwashing facilities and garbage disposals on school grounds.

Health Care
To give families and children better access to safe health care, World Vision will partner with the community to:
  • Educate parents about family health and nutrition, with special care for pregnant women and children under 5.
  • Train families and health providers to prevent and treat common illnesses.
  • Teach HIV and AIDS prevention and provide support for those affected by the disease.
  • Improve families access to quality health services and birth registration for infants.

Food
To allow children to grow and develop to their fullest potential, World Vision will help families:
  • Improve their farm production by enhancing the quality of crops and livestock.
  • Increase incomes by establishing savings groups and connect farmers to markets and suppliers.
  • Introduce nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and small livestock as a source of food.
  • Train farmers to reduce crop losses and manage their natural resources.
...
An image of children sitting on the ground in a classroom, writing in workbooks.

Results

Unless otherwise stated, data presented on this page reflects the most up-to-date results of World Vision Canada programs reported between October 2022 and September 2023, and any previous fiscal years available. Previously reported data may not match the current presentation as we continuously receive and refine data from our programs. If you have any questions, kindly reach out to us.