Malawi

Malawi, known as the ‘warm heart of Africa' is renowned for its unequalled friendliness, its unspoilt national parks and wildlife reserves and the beaches of Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa. It has remained peaceful for over a century, unaffected by war and internal strife that has plagued other African countries, and in spite of wide spread poverty and disease Malawians are a people open to the Gospel, making it an ideal place for MMI to serve.

Geography

The Republic of Malawi (formerly Nyasaland) is a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa, bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast and Mozambique to the south, southwest and southeast. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country from north to south and to the west of the valley lies Lake Malawi (also called Lake Nyasa), which is located at 1500 feet (460m) above sea level, with a maximum depth of 2300 feet (700m). To the south of Lake Malawi lies the Shire Highlands, gently rolling land at approximately 3000 feet (910m) above sea level.

History & Government

The area of Africa now known as Malawi was almost completely unpopulated before waves of Bantu immigrants began entering the area from the north around the 10th century. Soon after 1600, native tribesmen began encountering, trading with and making alliances with Portuguese traders. The colonial government of Nyasaland (as Malawi was formerly known) was formed in 1891. In 1953, Britain linked Nyasaland with Northern and Southern Rhodesia in what was known as the Central African Federation (CAF). This linking provoked increased opposition from African nationalists, with Dr Hastings Banda being the most influential. He was jailed by the colonial authorities for mobilizing nationalist sentiment, and when released went on to draft a new constitution for Nyasaland and be elected as prime minister in 1963. On July 6 1964, Nyasaland became independent from British rule and renamed itself, Malawi, becoming a single-party state under President Banda. President Banda ruled with an iron-fist for 30 years, until a referendum was held in 1993, where the populace voted for a multiparty democracy. In 1994 the first multi-party elections were held in Malawi. The current president is Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, an economist elected in 2004.

Economy

Malawi is a landlocked country that is among the world's least developed and most densely populated. The economy is heavily agriculture based, with about 85% of the population living in rural areas. The main agricultural products include tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, sorghum, cattle and goats, with the main industries being tobacco, tea and sugar processing, sawmill products, cement and consumer goods. The electricity of the country is 96.7% hydroelectric and 3.3% fossil fuels, and as of 2005, Malawi does not import or export any electricity. They are a net importer of oil, with no production in country and use no significant amount of natural gas.

The economy of Malawi is dependent on substantial economic aid from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and individual nations, and received over US$575 million in aid in 2005. The Malawian government faces enormous challenges in developing a market economy, improving environmental protection, dealing with the growing HIV/AIDS problem and improving the education system.

People

Malawi has a population of almost 14 million, with a growth rate of 2.39%. Infant mortality rates are high, and life expectancy at birth is 43.45 years. There is a high adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS with an estimated 14.2% of the population living with the disease in 2003. There are approximately 84,000 deaths a year from HIV/AIDS.

Malawi's population is made up of Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni and Ngonde native ethnic groups, as well as populations of Asians and Europeans. According to a 1998 census, almost 80% of the population is Christian, almost 13% are Muslim and the rest are either other religious groups or of no religion.

Weather

Malawi has a tropical climate across most of the country, with two recognisable seasons: the dry season from April to November, and the wet season from December to March. Squeezed between these two seasons is a hot and humid period characterising November and early December. Winter in July-August can be fairly cold (15-20C during the day, 5C at night). There is no central heating and buildings are built to keep the heat out, so warm clothes are a must during July-August. The weather starts to heat up at the end of August, the hottest season being from October to December (25-30C during the day, 20-25C at night)

Population: 14 million
Ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni and Ngonde native ethnic groups, with populations of Asians and Europeans
Religion: 80% Christian, 13% Muslim, 7% other
Languages: English (official), Chichewa (national)
Capital: Lilongwe with Blantyre the largest city
Currency: Kwacha (divided into 100 tambala). Traveller's cheques and foreign currency accepted, but not credit cards, and ATM's are very scarce.

Project Site
The team will be working at the Nkhoma CCAP Hospital (founded in 1889 by early missionaries) in Nkhoma. The village of Nkhoma, its mission community and hospital are located 60km south of Malawi's capital Lilongwe, 15km east off the main road running from Lilongwe to Blantyre. Inpatients at the hospital are cared for in general medical wards, surgical wards, maternity, paediatric, burns, and isolation and TB wards. With a labour and delivery room, 2 general surgical theatres and an ophthalmology department with its own ophthalmic theatre, it caters for a wide-range of patients. There is an outpatient department, as well as other supportive departments including physiotherapy, a pharmacy, laboratory, 2 ultrasound scanners and an x-ray machine.

Getting There

The team must arrive on the Saturday at Lilongwe. There are two options for flights arriving on the Saturday of the start of the project: Air Malawi QM 202 from Johannesburg, South Africa or Kenya Airways KQ 422 from Nairobi, Kenya.

Visas & Exit tax

For tourist visits, visas are NOT required by citizens of most Commonwealth countries, the USA, most European Union countries. There is a US$30 exit tax, to be paid at the airport in US$.

Accommodations

The team will be staying in the Nkhoma Guesthouse, which is a 2 minute walk from the hospital. Rooms are equipped with furniture, beds, with mosquito nets over the beds and on the windows. It has a hot shower, 2 baths, 2 toilets and a well-equipped kitchen.

Communication with Home

Telephone and e-mail facilities are totally unreliable and difficult to access, but mobile phone reception is available, with either international roaming or Malawian SIM cards that can be bought at the airport on arrival for approximately$15.

Electricity & Time Zone

Local time in Malawi is GMT+2hours.
Electricity is 220/240V - 3-pin rectangular blade plugs are standard. A plug converter is necessary.No central heating July- August is winter 15-20C during day and 5C at night, begins to heat up at the end of August.

Dress Code

Ladies - skirts below knees, covered shoulders (petticoat under light coloured dresses)(dress modestly)

Men- shirt and trousers

Weekend Options

- hiking to hut or top of Nkhoma mountain

- has tennis/squash court (bring own racket)

- visit Dedza (1hr drive)- pottery, tea-garden, hiking

- visit Lilongwe (1hr drive) - shopping

- weekend trip Lake Malawi at Senga Bay (3 hours drive)

- Worship service in English 8:30am onSundays

Immunizations

Please contact your local health department or the CDC for additional information regarding immunizations. The following are recommended: polio, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A, diphtheria and ACWY vaccine (meningococcal meningitis outbreaks are common from May-November) Malaria prophylaxis is a must!