Self Help Africa Malawi newsletter - July to September 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

Dear Partners,

We are delighted to share updates from our work over the last quarter

In September had an opportunity to learn and share knowledge and experiences in WASH and energy with our Mozambican counterparts who came on a knowledge exchange visit. The team, involving SHA Mozambique staff, stakeholders and government officials had an opportunity to appreciate how SHA Malawi supported the Dowa District Council to develop a WASH District Strategic Investment Plan (DSIP) to be implemented from 2024 to 2028, among wider learning and exchange on WASH, Energy and systems strengthening.

This quarter FANRPAN and CISANET hosted a Regional Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue and Policy Conference where we discussed policy issues related to agriculture and food systems in Malawi. This aligns with our Strategic Objective 4 which looks at systems strengthening and an enabling policy environment. SHA is a board member of CISANET and committed to supporting the important role they play in collaborating with civil society and government and mapping the course of action to build the vision of the Malawi we want to see.

Kind regards,

Kate Hartley-Louis Country Director

P1 - Key Programme Highlights

P2 - Update on our programmes and looking back at our impact

P3 - Operations and Safeguarding

P4 - Stories from people we work with

Mozambique government officials, SHA Mozambique and Malawi staff at SHA Lilongwe offices

UPDATES ON OUR PROGRAMMES

SHA Malawi’s Country Director Kate Hartley-Louis addressing the (CISANET) National Policy Conference and Annual General Meeting

SO1: Sustainable landscapes, resilient food systems, and healthy communities

Our GIZ-funded Nutrition Emergency Response towards the Lean Season Project commenced with the District Nutrition Coordination Committee engagement meetings to select traditional authorities of implementation. So far Kachindamoto and Kaphuka Traditional Authorities have been earmarked due to the large number of households affected by drought.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

FAIR THEE WELL WILL

With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Will Coley who has been our Energy Programme Manager since 2021. Will has been instrumental in identifying, designing and securing our current energy projects which include EnDev Commercial (Phase 3 and 4) and RBF, Livelihoods Funds, ACCESS and SPEAR, South Pole, CME for carbon finance, EASE and AMP minigrids, and Malawi's Electric Cooking Roadmap.

As he leaves the organisation, our energy programme has a grown its

SO2: Sustainable businesses, decent employment and thriving economies

Our Irish Aid-funded SPEAR project contracted four local businesses as commission-based sales agents to support the sales of Zipolopolo stoves and briquettes in Bembeke, Dedza Roadblock and Dedza bus depot. This collaboration will help us to reach our targeted market and play a huge role in environmental protection At the same time, the local businesses will benefit through the commissions

SO3: Crisis Response and resilience

SHA is holding global webinars to share findings and recommendations from the climate vulnerability study and discuss what crosssectoral approach to improving climate resilience WASH could look like. This study was presented at a global conference in August (WEDC) and presented within a wider Aguaconsult-led session in the University of North Carolina’s Water & Health conference in October

SO4: System strengthening and an enabling policy environment

SHA participated in World Water Week in Stockholm where our Deputy Country DirectorProgrammes, Smorden Tomoka, had the opportunity to sit on a panel discussion dubbed “Think Shop” on how we can frame qualitative frameworks in systems strengthening programming work. The trip also provided an opportunity to interact with existing partners charity: water, The One Foundation, Waterloo Foundation and potential partners including Splash Foundation and SATO

focus on cleaner cooking, offgrid solar, carbon finance, research and local enterprise development. SHA has strengthened its reputation as a centre of excellence for sustainable energy projects in Malawi

“I have particularly enjoyed pushing the boundaries of SHA's energy work, and seeing my colleagues grow in skill and responsibility under the programme.” said Will.

Wishing you all the best Will.

OPERATIONS & SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding training for contractors and local leaders in progress at MANAC lodge in Dowa

On 30th August 2024, a highly successful Safeguarding Training was conducted at Manac Lodge, Dowa, targeting drilling contractors and local leaders. This vital session, focused on building understanding and commitment to safeguarding policies, organisation feedback channels, safety procedures, and operational guidelines, particularly in the context of drilling activities.

The training helped to equip the contractors and local leaders with the necessary knowledge and tools to ensure that safeguarding principles are upheld in all operations. The Safeguarding training also helped to reinforcing our principles and values

RESEARCH AND LEARNING

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING MALNUTRITION THROUGH SUSTAINABLE GARDENING

Our internal monthly Knowledge Exchange Series offers a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, learning, and networking across all our projects nationwide. These sessions foster both intra- and inter-thematic learning by facilitating the exchange of creative ideas, skill development, and collaboration among our teams.

In our September session, the GIZ/BMZ funded Food and Nutrition Security Programme (FNSP) being implemented by GIZ through Self Help Africa (SHA) in Dedza district presented an insightful session on the Innovative Gardens Approach – a low-cost, sustainable

of impact, innovation and community, and ensuring that every stakeholder is empowered topreventharm.

The attendees demonstrated a clear commitment to upholding SHA’s safeguarding standards, including in terms of reporting concerns.

By creating a safer and more responsible work environment, we continue to build trust with the communities we serve and uphold the higheststandardsofcare.

strategy aimed at mitigating malnutrition, particularly among rural households

Implemented in four Traditional Authorities (TAs) Tambala, Chauma, Kasumbu and Kamenyagwaza, the Innovative Gardens Approach provides an opportunity for households with limited land or water to grow, harvest, and consume vegetables using unconventional materials such as old sacks, bottles, broken buckets, or pottery remnants

What does this mean?

With our multi-sectoral approach, we are going to integrate this innovative backyard garden approach into our Food Resilience, Energy and WASH programmes.

. MINIGRID POWERS RURAL BUSINESSES

Many Malawians grow up hearing that their wealth is in the soil. The philosophy popularised by founding President Hastings Kamuzu Banda has taken root across Bwanje Valley in Dedza.

“We make money come rain or sunshine,” boasts Lasca Wilson. “If not in our irrigation scheme, you just have to position yourself well in its way.”

The 32-year-old farmer runs a hair salon at Mthembanji Trading Centre near Bwanje Irrigation Scheme. She is among emerging businesspersons tapping the money trickling from the food basket for Dedza and surrounding towns.

For Wilson, the work got easier when she connected the salon to a solar-powered minigrid established by Self-Help Africa in 2020 with support from the United Nations Development Programme and the University of Strathclyde in Scotland

She was among the 30 community members who also benefited from the electrification project with a K200,000 (106 EUR) loan to spur productive use of electricity for improved livelihoods and community development She bought a hair blower and straightener that have made her shop a preferred stop for on trend hairstyles She also purchased some chemicals, mesh and synthetic hair extensions for sale.

The farmers obtained the loans through CUMO, a microfinance organisation founded by Concern Universal, now operating as Self-Help Africa.

“I opened this shop to put the skills I acquired in Lilongwe City to good use, but it has become the main source of income for my family because many people come to make their hair here,” she says.

Wilson left the capital city after two years in protest against low pay. Her shop gives her over K100 000 (53 EUR) a month, more than the minimum wage pegged at K90 000 (47 EUR).

“The business peaks during the harvesting season. When rice sales begin, I get 20 to 25 customers a day”.

Fredrick Jumbe, 35, needed no convincing when he borrowed K200 000 (106 EUR) to add a welding workshop to his four grocery shops.

“I will add K180 000 (95 EUR) from the current businesses to buy a welding machine because there is none here,” he says.

“My vision is to use electricity not only to fix broken ploughs and bicycles, but also making new oxcarts for hauling farm inputs and crop yields.”

Jumbe envisages his neighbours acquiring assets they once bought in Lilongwe, almost 150 kilometres away.

“Putting electricity to good use is changing our area as people own equipment and improve the quality of life that once made them to go to towns. Now the towns are coming to rural areas,” he says.

The minigrid has created jobs for the youth, with some young men seen running barbershops, computer businesses and printing. They no longer have to flee to the city for better economic prospects.

Self Help Africa, Mwai House, City Centre, P/Bag B 495, Lilongwe e-mail: sha.lilongwe@selfhelpafrica.org, web: www.selfhelpafrica.org

Jumbe sells cold drinks in his rural community

Wilson makes a customer’s hair using the appliances purchased with the loan