On 21st October 2013, we visited Kampanje village where we went to clean the house of Alima Malijani, one of the elderly who is benefiting from SWAM. We also went there to see if materials given to her were used, the materials given included window frames, door frame and black sheet of paper for roofing her house. It was found that the materials were indeed used.
Star Circle Issues
From 22nd to 23rd October 2013, we participated in a two days training at Mkaika Teachers’ Training center where we had community members being trained on HIV and gender. In total 23 people attended the training (12 males and 11 females). The objective of the training was to impart knowledge to the community members on issues of gender and HIV/AIDS and how the two are interlinked.
The Visit by SWAM Donors
On 24th October 2013, SWAM donors from Denmark visited the Lozi catchment area in the following villages: Kampanje, Chiboko and Kamsuli. ICS in-country volunteers were part of the team that welcomed the donors and accompanied them to the communities.
At Kampanje the donors and SWAM visited Kampanje women bakery where women bake scones. The group comprises of 15 women and are supported by SWAM. During the visit, approximately 80 people were in attendance.
The team also visited a group of women in Chiboko village who are keeping goats in a pass-on scheme; where goats can breed and be passed on to other beneficiaries. The group got the goats from SWAM. The group has 9 members. The group received two goats, as of now the goats have multiplied and that each member has 4 goats. These goats are helping them on several things like paying school fees when they sell the goats, sources of proteins and some other needs at home.
In addition, the journey continued to Kansuli village where we met Grace Chiwanda and Madalitso Maumade who went for a three months training, where they were trained on knitting and sewing. Chiwanda received a knitting machine while Maumade received a sewing machine from SWAM. Before the training, they were at risk of contracting HIV, through exchanging their bodies for payment to earn a living. After receiving the machines they now no longer think of doing this, and are now able to help their families with the money they get after selling their products.
This blog is from one of the in-country volunteers placed with the partner organisation Society for Women and AIDS in Malawi (SWAM)
