Malawi
TWAM started its work in Malawi in 2022 with the first container of tools sent in January 2024.
Why we work in Malawi
Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. It is heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture which makes it extremely vulnerable to climate change.
Malawi is physically a small country, but with a high population density of around 21,000,000 people. The rapid population growth has put pressure on Malawi’s land, water, and forest resources. The sustainability of Malawi’s agriculturally based economy, which employs about 80% of the population, is worsened by increasing food shortages. When you add the fact that nearly half the population is under 14, you see why Malawi needs to move from an agricultural to a skills based economy.
Malawi:
0-14 years: 45.87%
15-24 years: 20.51%
25-54 years: 27.96%
55-64 years: 2.98%
65+ years: 2.68%
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Compared to the UK:
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0-14 years: 17.63%
15-24 years: 11.49%
25-54 years: 39.67%
55-64 years: 12.73%
65+ years: 18.48%
Most of the population relies enitrely on agriculture, and growing their own food on a small plot of land is perilous due to the effects of climate change, which has led to extreme temperatures and unreliable rains. This has resulted in reduced incomes and shortfalls in cereal production with an estimated 1.65 million people facing “crisis” levels of food insecurity between January and March 2022, underpinned by localised shortfalls in cereal production. Food insecurity is expected to worsen over the coming years.
Over half of the population live below the poverty line.
Skills training and the provision of tools replace reliance on agriculture, and remove the economic threat posed by climate change. It is therefore vital that TWAM develops its long term sustainable work in Malawi.
All country statistics, information and maps are reproduced with the help of the CIA World Factbook.
What we do
Tools with a Mission sent its first 20-foot container packed with around 700 tool kits and sewing machines in January 2024. It arrived in May, and over the course of several weeks was painstakingly unpacked and given to the tool applicants amidst much ceremony - including a speech by the local MP!
The difference we make
We are currently identifying community groups, churches and projects we can support with tools. These groups will offer skills training and tools to some of the most vulnerable people in Malawi, along with hundreds of unemployed young people and school dropouts.
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Tools with a Mission supports local charities, set up by local people to work with local communities across Malawi. One such charity is Haven Of Hope, an organisation helping to combat youth homelessness and long-term unemployment. Pictured below is the organisation's director helping to unpack and sort TWAM's shipment of tools in May 2024.
