Imagine, if you will, a life without an electricity supply to power an oven, a hob, or even a light bulb? Having to collect wood every day to create a fire to cook food, the smoke in your eyes, and the slow process of cooking whilst having to make sure your children are safe. Many women within communities in Mzuzu face this balance on a daily basis to enable them to cook food for their families.
This week is Environment Week; a week long global campaign centred on awareness raising and promoting of environmental conservation. We, the Progressio ICS international development squad, would be attending an environment week conference in the Malawian capital city of Lilongwe to represent Progressio and the work that they do to protect our most valuable and most neglected resource.
Humans and the Earth
We, the Umodzi team of COWLHA (Coalition of Women Living with HIV and AIDS), were a little apprehensive when heading to Nkhotakota Radio Station on Wednesday to record a panel show with Edward, the station’s Programmes Coordinator. The idea behind this show was to give us a chance to talk about the work we have been doing here in our local area and to give an opportunity to thank the women we had been working with publically for making our project such a success.
As our cycle starts to draw to an end, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on some of the highlights of Team Umodzi’s placement. Although we still have a very busy two weeks left with plenty more to report back on, it wouldn’t hurt to take a look at some of our best bits so far.
Team Sapitwa have spent eight weeks in the Mulanje district of Malawi and have a lot to show for it! Each team that are sent by Progressio have certain targets that that they have to meet. These targets are set out by Progressio. For our team they include 11 awareness campaigns, 15 waste bin distribution, four peer education sessions, five training exercises and a special project. We are happy to announce that all targets were completed or exceeded. Below is a summary of the targets:
HIV and AIDS
It’s week seven here in Mulanje and the topic we are speaking about in this week’s blog is awareness campaigns. The group have been very busy spreading awareness on environmental issues and HIV and AIDS in the local communities, mainly to youth groups. Team Sapitwa have worked with four youth groups so far and plan to conduct more campaigns before their placement comes to an end in a few weeks.
Welcome to Part II of ‘Team Mtende makes a film.’ Here, we will get a glimpse behind the scenes at Mzuzu studios.
As part of our HIV awareness raising campaign, we decided to compose a short film about the importance of HIV testing. Of course, most of us had very little idea of how to make a film. Some of us, myself included, had absolutely no idea whatsoever. We placed our faith in Dan and his knowledge of Film and TV production, and in Kisha with her knowledge of performing arts.
The rest of us just sort of winged it.
The Plot
We have been visiting Chanzi Support Group for some weeks now and have managed to build very strong relationships with the women within the group. Sian and I, a fellow member of Team Umodzi, took it upon ourselves to create a small visual/media project which we carried out over a selection of visits. Maggie and Selly, our national volunteers, kindly assisted us throughout the project. They did a fantastic job translating for us, we really couldn’t have achieved as much as we have without them!
Of all the things I thought I would get up to in the land of lions and nsima, directing a film wasn’t one of them.
However, on Thursday, that’s exactly what we did.
Man Cannot Live on Nsima Alone
Malnutrition is an ugly word.
