The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has wrapped up a three-year project involving

nutrition and agricultural education to 4,200 low-income families in the southern districts of

Mwanza and Mulanje of Malawi. The country has the eighth highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world,

with 14 percent of the population infected.

As part of this project, HIV/AIDS affected families are learning to grow drought resistant crops,

and protect stored food from pests, spoilage, and other hazards. Additionally, ADRA is promoting the

planting of community gardens as a tool to increase food accessibility among villagers.

“One of the most important parts of achieving long-term success in the project is to strengthen the

capacities of the communities, as well as the capacities of individual people,” said Michael Usi,

director for programs at ADRA Malawi.

The three-year project is also being supported by the Danish International Development Agency

(DANIDA) and ADRA Denmark. A secondary phase will lauch in February 2009.

ADRA is also providing livelihood training to child-headed households, enabling them to make a

living and provide for their families. The AIDS pandemic has left thousands of orphans, resulting in

large numbers of children acting as primary breadwinners for their families.

More than 120 children and young adults between the ages of 12 to 24 have received vocational and

life skills training, such as tailoring, tinsmithing, baking, brick laying, welding and carpentry.

ADRA has also partnered with Malawi’s Department of Social Welfare to encourage younger children to

return to school, a plan that will allow them to only work for part of the day, and still support

their families.

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