Kpaka Krim Area Program

Over nearly 15 years, the members of this community have worked to tackle their challenges and create an environment where their children can be healthy, cared for and equipped with skills to succeed.  

Education
Thousands of school-age children in Mposa are not enrolled in school, and dropout rates are high. This is largely due to the poor quality of education and classroom environment. Classrooms are overcrowded and dilapidated, and most teachers are untrained. Most children start Grade 1 with no preparation. Of 3,718 children under five in the area, only 867 attend preschool centres where they can learn and develop.

Parent-teacher associations and school management committees lack the training necessary to improve the quality of education. Many parents are not educated - 38% of people in the region are illiterate " and most are not actively involved in their children's education. Orphans in particular do not have the support they need to stay in school. More girls than boys drop out " and many are encouraged to marry early.

Health
Many children in Mposa suffer and die from preventable and waterborne diseases like malaria, respiratory infections, and diarrhea. Health statistics in the area are poor. Infant mortality is higher, and life expectancy is lower, than the national averages. Residents often struggle to access health services, like growth monitoring and immunization, for their children.

38% of child deaths in Mposa are malnutrition-related. Children are malnourished because they lack a variety of healthy foods, and because parents lack adequate information on child nutrition.

HIV & AIDS
The Mposa community has been decimated by AIDS. HIV prevalence in the area is over 12%. Health workers and impoverished families are stretched beyond their capacity to care for all the sick.

Many parents have died, leaving a large number of orphans and children in need. These children are vulnerable to exploitation. Girls are often forced into early marriages, and boys are required to work in the rice paddies or risk their lives fishing on Lake Chilwa.

Water and Sanitation
Many families get their drinking water from open water sources that are easily contaminated. Inadequate latrines cause the spread of waterborne diseases, especially during heavy rains and flooding. This has a serious impact on the health of young children, as it makes them more susceptible to disease.

• Construct, rehabilitate, and equip existing schools to improve the learning environment.
• Organize training for teachers to enhance quality of instruction children receive.
• Train school committees in effective school management.

• Construct, equip, and rehabilitate health care facilities.
• Provide training for health workers.
• Educate mothers about the importance of breastfeeding, and how to prepare balanced, nutritious meals using locally available foods.

• Educate community members of all ages on children's rights, especially girls right to a good education.

• Support the construction of water pumps, and train water management committees and pump technicians.
• Provide community education on hygiene and good health practices, and promote the construction of latrines.

• Train women's groups in improved farming techniques.
• Form livelihood networks, whose members will support one other with farming issues.
• Provide parents with business and entrepreneurial training.
• Establish and equip vocational skills training centres.
• Help families to start small businesses in food processing and craftsmanship.