Freshwater Project
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


MALAWI

THE WARM HEART OF AFRICA

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malawi is a peaceful, friendly, democratic country in southern Africa bordering Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. The eastern half of the country is covered by Lake Malawi, a freshwater lake that runs approximately 500k north and south with the Shire River as the only outlet.

 

Despite this abundant freshwater resource, over 60% of the population is currently without access to clean water, and 76% is without proper sanitation. The result is high incidences of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery and cholera – affecting mostly young children.

 

Nearly one in seven children in Malawi will not see their fifth birthday. Most childhood deaths are caused by preventable waterborne diseases.

 

This is why Freshwater Project, a Malawian NGO, is committed to serve their own countrymen with clean water.

 

STATISTICS:

  • Malawi has a population of 12 Million people
  • Surface Area = 118,480 sqm (94,080sq.km of land and 24,400sq.km of lake)

 

WATER & SANITATION:

  • 60% without access to clean water
  • 76% without adequate sanitation

 

HIV/AIDS:

Statistics regarding the prevalence of HIV/Aids are difficult to pin down. Official statistics often only include those people who have been tested and are known to be HIV positive. Other groups attempt to calculate a “projected” infection rate, which considers the number of people who have not been tested. Estimated figures vary between 10% and 40% of the population currently living with HIV/Aids. Suffice to say that every person in Malawi is affected by the Pandemic, if not directly, then through the premature death of their parents or other family members.

 

In 2001, official statistics showed that there were 850,000 people living with HIV/Aids and 80,000 HIV/Aids deaths in that year.

 

HOPE:

Here in Malawi, despite the problems mentioned above, we have many reasons to be thankful that we live in Malawi.

  • The picturesque Lake Malawi provides fish to eat, fertile ground for farming and a wonderful holiday location.
  • Despite the scale of the poverty in Malawi, it remains much more secure and friendly than other countries in Southern Africa
  • Mt Mulanje (pictured above) in Southern Malawi is a picturesque mountain ridge – the highest peak in Southern Africa
  • Religion in Malawi brings hope to the people. Participation in worship activities is extremely high and there is a vast diversity of religious beliefs represented here, the largest groups being Christian and Muslim religions.

 

Madzi Ndi Moyo (Water Is Life)