Projects

Malawi is plagued by deforestation. Indeed, wood is used to meet basic needs in cooking and heating and for building. This tree and forest clearing leads to three needs:

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• Shortage of wood for cooking and building 

• Lack of fruit trees and food diversification  

• Soil impoverishment and degradation of soil (due to erosion from lack of shade, lack of trees that provide shelter from the wind and lack of tree roots that retain groundwater).

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With the following three strategies, we intend to address the needs:

• Planting trees and forest. 

• Reducing wood consumption by providing efficient stoves. 

• Participatory decision-making procedures, sensitization, education and security with and by the local population as well as the authorities. 

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Tree planting

 

• About 300 trees were planted in the villages in 2012. Local people planted and cared for these trees themselves. They are now mature trees that help retain groundwater, provide shade and, to a limited extent, produce fruit. 
   

• A moringa orchard was established in 2015. 
   

• In 2020, a moringa tree was distributed to every family in the nine villages. The moringa, also called miracle tree, has an incredibly high nutritional value, making it an important food supplement for the local population. It is one of the projects through which we support local entrepreneurship. 

 

• For now, more effort needs to be put into raising awareness to further implement the project in a sustainable way. Unlike corn, moringa does not provide a feeling of satiety. It is therefore an ongoing challenge to make the local population understand the usefulness of moringa. We take this experience with us to the other tree planting projects, because there too the local population will have to be convinced of the long-term importance of the trees (food) instead of their short-term usefulness (wood). Together with the facilitators and local experts, we are trying to achieve a cultural change in this.

 

• In 2022-2023 the project 'CommuniTree: planting trees towards a self-sustaining community' will start. The core of the project consists of planting 1000 trees on the land of local employees of Chabwino VZW (400 trees), of the families of preschoolers in school Tikondane (400 trees) and with the people of the food bank (300 trees). 

 

• We will also continue tree planting in 2024 with the Forest Jump project, and the knowledge gained about planting and caring for trees will continue to be used and integrated.

 

 

Energy-efficient stoves

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Logging is a major threat to Malawi. On the other hand, using wood in villages are the only way to make fire and prepare food. The traditional three-brick fires have been replaced by stoves that speed up cooking time and cut wood consumption in half. Among the elders of the food bank, these stoves were installed by the mango team in 2018.

By 2023, an energy-efficient stove will be provided for every family in the nine villages. By installing these wood-saving stoves, we want to ensure that the wood supply (which is now scarce) is shrinking more slowly. In this way, we want to prevent further deforestation. 

 

In the future, we want to commit to diversifying crops to combat soil erosion and to provide a broader pallet of nutrients for local people  

Agricultural education is realized in collaboration with facilitators on the ground. Continuity is ensured by providing workshops and mutual support mechanisms. Composting is promoted and natural products are used to control diseases and pests. Irrigation projects are set up and new food-rich crops that are less water-dependent than corn are sought with farmers. We are still taking new initiatives to expand this part of the project.

To make the work of the guards easier, and for comfort and security reasons, Chabwino is building a walled compound (a fenced-in living community) around the food container that was placed earlier. In addition to the silo, the compound also includes space for a large meeting room for the farmers, a materials storage area and a small room for the volunteers.

 

The infrastructure is also used for drying mangoes and moringa leaves 

 

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The African car

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60 sturdy bicycles were delivered to the villages thanks in part to a benefit by Daan Stuyven in the context of Music for Life, a solidarity action by Studio Brussels radio station. After all, the distance to the food bank is problematic for some and the luggage is often heavy. 

Ox operation

Construction will begin in 2018 for a stable for oxen. This should make working the fields smoother and faster. The aim is to provide support to those who can no longer cope with the hard work alone.

 

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Moringa and Mango Drying

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In 2015, under the impetus of volunteer Toon Driesen, the drying of moringa and mangoes was started

To combat food scarcity and immediately expand economic development, the drying of mangoes was started. These are abundant in the villages. A building was constructed for this purpose with water supply and a solar panel to enable local commercialization. 
 

The mango team, consisting of three people, supports the community by conducting workshops to teach people how to dry for their own households.

Moringa is a super plant with great nutritional value. In recent years, more of these "miracle" trees have been planted and their leaves are used as a nutritional supplement to reduce malnutrition and prevent developmental delays.

A sun dryer was built in 2020. In addition to mango, they will begin drying other fruits and vegetables and market them locally.

In 2024, it will move to the village of Chabwera, where the solar panels will provide permanent electricity. Because of the solar panels installed in 2023, the electric oven can provide additional drying of fruits and vegetables. 

In 2024, they will try to get MBS certification. Those are hygiene goals and conditions by the government. If those pass, you will also be allowed to officially sell dried mangoes.

 

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Mbeya composting starts in 2023

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In Malawi, nothing grows without fertilizer. Fertilizers are extremely expensive and insufficiently available in recent years. By composting, we can reduce the use of artificial fertilizers by 80% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and still improve the soil and tree growth as much as with artificial fertilizers. Mbeya is a specific composting method that has already proven its effectiveness in Malawi. 

Mbeya relies on the use of natural manure from animals such as chickens and goats. Thus, this type of compost is much less harmful to the environment than inorganic fertilizers. This method of composting is part of the awareness around and implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices (=Climate-smart agriculture). A prerequisite for composting is to have sufficient manure from animals. 

Increase livestock through the purchase of small livestock by 2024

The effects of climate change often caused farmers to sell the few livestock they had. This was a survival mechanism during droughts. Furthermore, cyclones in recent years often washed away fodder for livestock, leading to a reduction in livestock. Thus, another negative effect of climate change. Therefore, increasing livestock by keeping and raising chickens and goats means more food security and it helps in the fight against poverty.

This project by Chabwino seeks to address chronic malnutrition in nine villages

With the food bank, which distributes 10 tons of corn annually during the hunger season from November to March, we reach the very poorest and the underprivileged.

In mid-2011, the foundations of a Food Community Bank or food bank were laid. This involves providing farmers from, then six and now nine villages, with maize seed and fertilizer combined with training to work their land qualitatively and efficiently. Methods of fertilizing and composting are taught to the 54 farmers, half of whom are women, to ensure maximum yields. In exchange, they give part of the harvest to the food bank. This is then sold at low prices to the neediest villagers during the annual period of food shortage. 

Meanwhile, we are 14 harvests down and about 180 people are using the food bank. We support these people with an additional food package of rice, tea, sugar and oil, clothing and hygiene products.

The 150 school-age preschoolers receive a daily meal. This is usually a full meal, such as corn- and peanut-based Likuni Phala, enriched with necessary protein and nutrients.

This has a positive effect on the health status of the villagers.

For the education pillar of our project, we mainly focus on preschool education in the village of Chabwera. After all, preschool education is not supported by the government in Malawi.

 

Our education project started in 2017. Currently 150 children are cared for in two newly built classrooms. The school with kitchen and toilets meets all the standards of the "District Social Welfare" and is recognized by the Malawi government.

 

Preschoolers up to the age of 7 receive education there that focuses primarily on social development and, if possible, literacy. This gives the children a chance to later enter mainstream education.

The children also receive one full meal a day free of charge. Five teachers, a team of cooks and a maintenance crew were recruited in collaboration with local people.

 

Meanwhile, their own school garden has been established to grow their own crops. Educational materials have been provided, basic furniture has been purchased, potable water has been provided and a rainwater harvesting tank has been installed.

In 2023, play equipment was provided and further expansion of play and educational materials. The presence of electricity from solar panels now allows electric cooking and we can purchase a refrigerator and freezer to keep drinks and other items cool or frozen. 

 

In 2020 we made about a hundred children in the little school with a backpack (special thanks to Annie for many days of sewing), a notebook and a pen.  
With the dozens of balls we distributed, soccer, handball and sports are being played. It remains heartwarming to see how happy we make the children with these. 
 

Education on climate-smart agriculture
 

We also bring with Chawbino education on tree planting and tree management, irrigation, crop disease prevention and control, and pest avoidance. We also rely on the guidance of the facilitator from the Ministry of Agriculture for mbeya composting and small animal care and breeding. 

Because of the holistic approach of Chabwino on the domains of agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, health and climate, this education also adds value in the other domains.

 

• Health: diversification of food provides a more protein-rich diet with eggs, milk and meat.  

• Entrepreneurship: the socioeconomic situation of our employees at Chabwino and members of the food bank, people in a vulnerable position, is strengthened. This improves self-resilience. The goats' compost, eggs and milk can be sold. With these sales, they can purchase feed and make a little profit.

The past few years have been hard on Malawi and by extension on all of Africa. Extreme droughts and floods have increased sharply over the past two decades. 2015 was a low point when El Nino caused exceptional drought and extreme heat. Malawi struggled with a major food shortage and famine. In 2016, the government even declared a state of emergency: the harvest had failed, thousands of farmers saw their investments lost and the food shortage became chronic. This problem will only get worse as the rivers with origins in the mountain plateaus gradually dry up.

 

Irrigation will eventually become one of the main challenges for our project. El Nino did not stop after 2016.

We looked for irrigation systems that are sustainable, low-maintenance and affordable. We promote agricultural irrigation by maximizing the use of rainwater by installing drainage through collectors.

A first foot pump was already purchased in 2012 to pump water from a nearby river. Meanwhile, there are two mechanical pumps and the compound is equipped with gutters and collectors. Drinkable water has been provided to the small school and compound. A complex for a corn mill with drainage and a water container came in 2020. Sanitary and drinkable water is also provided. 

However, after research, drilling wells and purchasing pumps were abandoned because of extraordinary high prices and to prevent desertification in the long run. Many systems were explored such as pumping water from the river, digging water basins, constructing canals, utilizing the humidity in the air to capture moisture, etc....

Over the past 11 years Chabwino has built a strong relationship of trust with the local population: by listening a lot, by tailoring our operation to their needs and by working transparently and participatively. For example, local people indicated that a maize mill and electricity are the key to making the organization more independent and progressively more self-sufficient. According to them, grinding the maize is an important activity for generating income.

It is our ultimate endeavor to make the project completely self-sustaining and ensure that the people in all walks of life can meet their basic needs by themselves.

 

With the extension of electricity and a maize mill, a big step will be taken in sustainable development. Local people are also determined to reduce poverty and hunger in this way. 

 

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Corn mill and electricity

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Electricity promotes independence

The farmers in Malawi are working on a business plan with well-defined goals. It testifies to their strength to ask the right questions, seek answers and take responsibility themselves for sustainable development with long-term vision. 

 

The farmers strengthen the local economy AND support the neediest by milling their grains at a very advantageous price. 

 

In late 2019, we bought a well-located patch of land - with electricity nearby - just outside our nine villages. In spring 2020, we prepared everything for a complex where the corn mill could stand. Because of the lockdowns during the corona pandemic, everything was somewhat delayed, but in December 2020 we finally got a price offer from the Escom electricity company. However, the start-up of the operation was still delayed. First because of the lack of materials, as well as significantly higher prices for connection to the grid. 

 

 

Solar panels for the school.

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In 2018, we installed a few solar panels and a battery for the school and compound. 

 

By 2020, all employees received a solar-powered lamp.

In September 2022, a collaborative project began with Humasol asbl. Four students, Manon, Hanne, David and Bram, spent 10 weeks in the nine villages in summer 2023. They installed 16 solar panels and 2 batteries to further reduce wood consumption and start economic activity within the school. 

 

This means that people can now cook in the school on electricity. There is also a charging station for phones and computers. 

 

Fruits and vegetables can be dried faster and can thus be preserved longer. 

 

In 2024, we will also provide a refrigerator with freezer tray to cool and freeze food.

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Sewing Workshop, a fairy tale comes true

Two sewing machines were purchased for mask making during the corona years. These sewing machines were optimally used for training and repairing and making new clothing. 

Meanwhile, a sewing workshop was established in 2021, adjacent to the school building, with a rainwater drainage system through gutters, a collector and an attached toilet. Associated furniture and all sewing accessories such as scissors, fabrics, ribbon meters and sewing thread were purchased along with it. There are now 10 sewing machines.

 

This offers everyone - from mothers and youth to the poorest in the villages - the chance to learn to sew and learn a job or simply repair clothing. It opens for them a path to greater independence. Twice a year, a six-month training course starts under the supervision of two tailors from the villages.  

 

The sewing workshop is certainly a success story. There was even an official inauguration in the presence of the government of Malawi. 

 

We are investing in the coming years to make the project even more profitable for the villages and to make it even more easily accessible to the poorest so that they can repair their own clothing. 

Prevention Malaria

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About a thousand mosquito nets were purchased and distributed to the villagers. This was accompanied by an information campaign on proper use.

Glasses

We were also able to provide hundreds of pairs of glasses. Of course, this was accompanied by the necessary eye tests of the villagers.

Wound care and first aid

The basics of wound care were also taught to local people, as there is a need for this more than ever. Official health care is not accessible, nor are the proper resources available.

 

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Moringa as a dietary supplement in the villages 

In Malawi, maize meal and cassava make up the unbalanced, daily diet. As a result, people develop deficiencies in vitamins, zinc, iron, complete proteins, omega 3 and iodine. Imbalanced nutrition during the first years of life results in lower learning ability, greater susceptibility to infections and growth retardation. Journalist Els De Temmerman, who is very knowledgeable about the problems in Africa, emphasizes that not only education but also healthy and balanced nutrition are crucial. This is why we are putting maximum effort into the super plant moringa.

To provide this as a nutritional supplement even for the little ones, we are distributing more than 1,000 cuttings of moringa plants to the young families in the nine villages in 2020. 

 

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Treatment of tooth decay

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In 2019, dentist Beckx and wife Lut worked a week in our villages.  Dental brushing and preventive care was started in our school. In the villages there is now treatment of tooth decay. People often walk around in great pain for years. They sit in lines waiting to have a tooth extracted under local anesthesia; extraction without pain they experience as a real blessing.

 

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2020-2022 corona years 

 

Malawi was also affected by lockdowns and restrictive measures during the corona pandemic. Initially, after protests to protect informal trade and prevent extreme poverty, the measures were avoided and postponed. Eventually the borders were closed, making food supplies extremely problematic and everything more expensive. 

Mouth masks and hand hygiene for prevention
Chabwino did its prevention effort in the villages. A water barrel with tap was provided for the families and thousands of pieces of soap were distributed. We financed the purchase of a sewing machine to make mouth masks. The machine was installed in our little school in Chabwera where 150 children attend school. 

Malawi is in the region where the effects of climate change are very much felt. This puts even more pressure on the socio-economic living conditions of the population. Emergency aid is therefore also needed more frequently. 

In 2023, Cyclone Freddy raged across the clear part of the country resulting in about 1,000 casualties. The rain was so intense that in the nine villages 372 houses were severely damaged or collapsed. We were on the scene at the time, experienced the impact ourselves and were able to witness the catastrophic consequences of the disaster firsthand.

 

We distributed 423 food packages after the cyclone. For 150 families, we offered cash to make initial repairs to their homes. 

 

We also distributed hundreds of articles of clothing, 150 blankets, lots of soccer clothes and footballs.