It took World Vision 18 years to hand over development project to Dowa community – Malawi Nyasa Times

After 18 years of implementation, World Vision has handed over various development programmes to the Lipili District, Kayembe Traditional Authority, and Dowa District communities.

The organization has initiated various development activities in the region since 2006 with support from New Zealand donors.

While handing over the project to the community in Dowalipiri district on Thursday, World Vision Country Director, Francis Dubey, said the intervention in the area was made to address the various challenges faced by the community in terms of access to safe drinking water, low enrolment in education, Early Childhood Development (ECD), health and livelihoods.

“We are witnessing a change in the mindset of the people in the social and economic spheres of the Lipili region,” he said.

Dubey said that currently, 98% of the population in the region has access to clean and portable water from a continuous water supply system through the drilling of 129 boreholes and a piped water supply system.

Other achievements include reducing the proportion of stunted children from 49% in 2013 to 22% through diversified feeding practices, construction of girls’ hostels, water and sanitation (WASH), livelihoods and resilience.

Dubey, therefore, implored the government and stakeholders to help sustain the development interventions that the organization and local people have built over the past 18 years so that they can benefit the next generation of children.

Deputy Education Minister Nancy Chaola Mdooko, on behalf of the community, commended World Vision for its commitment to improving people’s lives.

“From improved healthcare to economic empowerment and infrastructure development, the region has demonstrated the power of collaboration,” she said.

Mduko added that the region has demonstrated that through targeted interventions and strategic partnerships, significant progress can be achieved.

The Deputy Minister urged stakeholders to continue to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable, empower them and create an environment conducive to growth and prosperity.

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