Malawi Facts

http://www.handsontv.info/series5/03_Packing%20a%20Punch_reports/report6.html





I love my experience here in Malawi. My time here is eye opening, exciting, and fun. I also have to remember that I live a privilaged existence even here in Malawi. I have housing, I have Internet, and I have a bank account that I can draw from when I need to purchase food. My food choice is limited by what is on the shelves, not by what I can afford.

The following information is from Hands On: The Earth Report: From TVE



In Malawi, 6.3 million people are defined as poor, which means that almost two-thirds of the country’s population are unable to fulfil their basic economic, political, social, psychological, and physiological needs.



Pervasive Poverty
Poverty in Malawi is widespread, deep and severe. It is caused by a number of factors, including low levels of education, poor health status (including widespread HIV/AIDS), lack of off-farm employment, rapid population growth and gender inequalities. The country ranked 162 out of 175 in the Human Development Index (HDI) of the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Human Development Report 2003. The HDI measures achievements in terms of life expectancy, educational attainment and adjusted real income. The rural population are disproportionately affected by these problems, with 67 per cent of rural people below the poverty line compared to 54 per cent of those in urban areas. With 90 per cent of Malawi’s population living in rural areas, and because poverty is more pervasive in rural areas, 91.3 per cent of the poor live in rural areas.




A household from Kumongo village, Lilongwe
Malikesi, of the Kumongo village, mentions that January and February are the worst months of the year because of food shortages and a scarcity of money. To cope with this situation he works harder in his firewood business. He makes two trips a day on his bicycle selling firewood in Lilongwe. If he is still unable to make ends meet, he seeks help from his relatives. If they are unable to help, he goes to his friends. Any amount he borrows has to be repaid in full – no instalments. His wife has reciprocal relationships with her neighbours. Salt is shared without having to return it. However, a bar of soap or a plate of maize flour has to be returned.
(Source: Shah et al., 2002)


Health problems pose a serious threat to the ability of the rural population to raise themselves out of poverty. Life expectancy at birth has been falling, reaching as low as 39 years in 2000. This is partly due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an estimated 16 per cent of the population infected. Infant, child and maternal mortality rates are high by global standards. In 2000, infant and under-five mortality rates were estimated to be 104 and 189 deaths per 1000 live births. This is caused in large part by a lack of access to adequate health services, demonstrated by the fact that health workers attend only 43 per cent of births. Children in Malawi are generally malnourished. In 2000, almost half of the children under the age of 5 were found to have a low height for their age (stunted). The poor consume only 66 per cent of the recommended daily calorie requirement.