Malawi is one of the least developed countries in Africa. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 85% of the population live in rural areas, most of whom eke a living as subsistence farmers.
Illiteracy and high prevalence of HIV/AIDS remain as obstacles to economic growth. Nearly half of all girls receive no primary school education.
Part of the Government’s National Education Sector Plan (2008 – 2017) is to diversify approaches for delivering technical and vocational training and to ensure that vulnerable groups are empowered with survival and employable skills. This is where Tools for Self Reliance comes in.
We work with indigenous organisations to support people in the rural economy. In common with our approach elsewhere our focus is on the most vulnerable in society, including orphans and vulnerable children, women and people living with a disability.
Tools for Self Reliance works with its partners in Malawi to give people the opportunity to get out of poverty and into work. Our partners are non-governmental organisations who work successfully in their local communities.
FOCCAD is a not for profit community based organisation that is aiming to create social change to the lives of marginalised groups, through a ‘rights based’ approach to programming and development. Tools for Self Reliance support FOCCAD in improving the livelihoods status of poor and vulnerable women and youth in the Nkhotakota District.
FESODEV was established with the purpose of assisting underprivileged and disadvantaged people by introducing initiatives that lead to poverty reduction and a sense of independence. Tools for Self Reliance support FESODEV’s programme of improving the skills and knowledge of existing trade groups.
YAF is a community based organisation, formed with the aim of challenging obstacles affecting youth development. YAF works by protecting the rights of children and young people, and providing care and support to vulnerable people such as orphans, people with disabilities, and people living with HIV/AIDS. One of its programmes is the provision of vocational training to provide employment opportunities.
Youth Code has been working closely with young people in the North-East lakeside town of Nkhotakota since 1997 and registered as an NGO in 2016. Youth Code is committed to promoting human rights and livelihoods amongst women and children, and empowering youth to be self-reliant through the provision of education and skills, through the organization development, designing, coordination and implementation of different activities.
One of its primary areas of focus is youth economic development. Training for skills development in priority trades is offered at the Youth Code vocational skills centre which was established in 2011. Staffed by a faculty of skilled and experienced trainers, the core function of the centre is to provide vocational skills training and entrepreneurship skills to disadvantaged youth in the district.
We are currently not seeking any new partners within our Malawi programme, so will not be accepting any partnership requests for the time being – we will update the website when this changes
