In June 2018, Malawians woke up to the news that there were at least 17.5 million people in the country, a 35 percent surge from the 2008 census.
This represented a population growth rate of 2.9 percent per year.
However, a concern is growing that public investment in vital sectors, including healthcare, are not catching up with the population boom. This has left the country at the mercy of foreign donors.
However, a consensus is growing that the continent’s youthful population and constrained communities could help reduce the hardship haunting them.
This dials up the spirit of patriotism and volunteerism taking root in Madani, a rural community in Nsanje District where over 2 000 women lack family planning methods and 860 children attend an under-five clinic in a tree shade.
This compels some people to shun life-saving services despite government policy to ensure everyone gets quality health services within five kilometres radius.
There is no privacy for the rural citizens who get essential services in the open, concerned mothers say.
The clinic, where children get vital vaccines, malnutrition screening and treatment for deadly diseases, is constantly disrupted by rains and whirlwinds.
Against these setbacks, volunteer Imraan Chiposyo mobilised the rural community and has raised K5.5 million to construct a permanent shelter where they can access health services with dignity.
“This is just above half of the K10.7 million we need to complete the project and well-wishers are welcome to support the united community,” he says.
At Kanoni in Mchinji District, his colleague Devlin Sapuwa could not bear the suffering of women who walk long distances to the nearest maize mill. He mobilised a local cooperative to invest in a grinding mill and they have since raised K5.2 million for the project estimated at K10 million.
The pair’s inroads in the rural settings personify a movement of young volunteers, especially fresh graduates who are determined to change the world around them.
Their fundraising initiatives empower rural communities to play a part in alleviating their hardship and creating a better world for all.
The volunteers are part of the Corps Africa, which is building a cadre of young Africans with a passion to serve, not to be served.
Together, they are defying a deep-rooted culture of donor-dependency and stereotypes in communities that associate volunteerism with philanthropists from overseas.
Speaking to a group of potential financiers in Lilongwe last week, the volunteers from within called for domestic support to turn the constrained communities’ dreams into reality.
Among others, NBS Bank contributed K2 million to each project pitched by the pair as well as Colleen Banda, Harry Bvumbwe and Chikondi Chisale.
“This marks a good start for our projects as we await the response from other organisations represented here,” said Chiposyo.
NBS chief finance officer Ernest Tembo said the local bank is excited to be partner the five projects for the benefit of their respective rural communities.
“These projects resonate well with our motto at NBS: We care a little bit more,” he said. “We hope these projects will have a positive impact on the lives of the rural communities.”
Moroccan Embassy in Lilongwe hosted the pitch event.
Moroccan Ambassador Abdelkader Naji says the allies from North Africa will be pleased if the projects come to fruition and bear the desired impact.
“We cooperate with Malawi in many fields and will support in whatever way we can to ensure various stakeholders interact in platforms such as this one and explore ways of ensuring life-changing developments take shape,” he said.
Corps Africa promotes volunteerism among the youth, especially graduates from various colleges.
The group envisages graduates acquiring practical skills that work and transform the world around them before joining the job market.
“Before getting employed, the youth should ask themselves: What can I do for my community or country?” said Martha Kwataine, speaking on behalf of Corps Africa.
The organisation recruits, trains and sends young Africans to live and work in remote, low-income communities in their own countries.
The rural inroads are cultivating a cadre of young volunteers who are silently facilitating small-scale but high impact-projects identified by the locals they work with.
“They serve for 12 months while developing vital life skills such as adaptability, resilience, communication, empathy, teamwork, humility, intercultural competency and project management. All this is attained in the service of becoming Africa’s next generation of leaders,” said Kwataine.
Africa Corps operates in 10 countries.
Apart from Malawi and Morocco, other countries are Senegal South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Gambia, Uganda and Kenya.
