Author name: IT Admin

Habitat for Humanity Malawi has been implementing an integrated Disaster response project at Mphimbi community, TA Makhuwira in Chikwawa district. This project was funded by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Under this project HFHM has constructed 20 improved and disaster resilient houses for the most vulnerable community members. In addition, HFHM also implemented several interventions aimed at improving the water, sanitation and hygiene status of Mphimbi community.   One of the WASH interventions implemented in the area is the construction of a borehole. Before the borehole was constructed community members used to get their water from a borehole located in the nearby village. This was disadvantageous for Mphimbi community members as it meant that they had to walk relatively longer distances to collect the water and also spent more time at the existing borehole due to congestion. With a new borehole constructed within their own vicinity, the community members are now able to access safe water at very short distance. In addition, the problem of congestion at the borehole has been addressed. To ensure sustained use of the borehole, HFHM conducted an Operation and Maintenance (CBM) Training for the Water Point Committee (WPC). The operations and maintenance training was aimed at building the capacity of water point committee to manage and maintain the constructed borehole when damaged.   Figures 1 to 3: A woman draws water from the newly constructed borehole and members of WPC undergo a practical session of borehole management and maintenance   Habitat for Humanity Malawi also triggered Mphimbi community on Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). During CLTS triggering it was observed that only about 35% of the households did have some pit latrines while the rest of the household admitted using the nearby bushes to relieve themselves. It was also noted that community members did not practices handwashing and other basic hygiene practices. During the triggering process participants appreciated that using the bush to defecate was a bad practice as it eventually resulted into eating and drinking water contaminated with feaces. Community members therefore agreed that in order to address this problem every household should have their own latrine and ensure that household members are using the latrine when defecating. The participants further agreed that community leaders should conduct a door to door inspection exercise to track progress on this resolution. In order to promote hand washing with soap, community members agreed that every household should install a simple handwashing facility made from locally available materials such as used bottles and poles and to ensure that water and soap are present at all times.     Figures 4 to 6: CLTS triggering in session     In addition to CLTS triggering, HFHM also conducted hygiene promotion in the community. The hygiene promotion took the form of a public event where messages on the dangers of poor practices towards water, sanitation and hygiene were conveyed using various mediums such as songs, drama, and speeches. Messages during the event also centered on sensitizing the community members on how best they can improve their WASH status at community, household and personal level. The event was patronized by government staff from the offices of District Environment Health and District Water Development. In addition, the event was patronized by traditional leaders.   Figure 7: HFHM WASH Officer captured during hygiene promotion   Through implementation of the above interventions, HFHM has positively impacted the lives of people from Mphimbi community. People in the community now have improved access to safe water. In addition, the people are now able to practice good sanitation and hygiene such as handwashing with soap at critical times and 2 cup system of managing drinking water at household level.

In February 2018, HFHM signed a consortium partnership with SOS Netherlands and three other implementing partners: SOS Malawi, Young Africa Zimbabwe and Children’s Fund of Malawi (Green Malata for an EU funded project. The consortium partners have situated their action in disadvantaged neighborhoods of Lilongwe, Salima, and Mulanje districts. All partners stand out for their strong networks to access disadvantaged youth, and apply tested programs for skills training and on-the-job learning for the most vulnerable and marginalized youths in the target districts; for them to realize their socio-economic potentials.   The 30 months program; from March, 2018 to August, 2020 will employ a Franchise model originated by Young Africa of Zimbabwe.  Habitat For Humanity is empowering 100 disadvantaged youth (50% girls) by providing market-driven construction skills training, digital literacy, entrepreneurship and Life skills, facilitating jobs and internship placement through Habitat Resource Centre. FRANCHISE MODEL The consortium partners have employed franchise model to improve youth employability through providing market driven on job training. Key aspects of franchise model Habitat For Humanity (the Franchiser) invested in capital equipment for a production unit in its workshops, given local entrepreneurs (franchisees) to run for income generation while providing training to young people. Franchisee pays rentals to franchiser (HFHM) and shares some operational costs Students are given an opportunity to be groomed in a real business environment Students pay fees to the franchisee who in turn hires trainers, whilst franchisor earns commission from the fees and retain responsibility of ensuring quality of training is adhered to.     ESSENCE of the franchise model in the CJBL project    It addresses five aspects Sustainability of centers through rental payments On-the-job exposure to students through job shadowing, internship Need for local entrepreneurial role models Participation in the local economy through training and production of end products Local entrepreneurs taking responsibility for training their own youths   COURSES BEING OFFERED Informal TEVET certificates in the following trades bricklaying and making, carpentry and joinery In order to build the sharpen the capacity of the youths to be able to stand for themselves in constantly advancing technological world as startup entrepreneurs or job seekers, one needs to have multiple skills, thus students are also exposed to Life Skills, Digital literacy and Entrepreneurship courses. LINKAGE TO FINANCING INSTITUTION In addition, the model shapes and strengthens young people’s minds in life skills orientation and entrepreneurship efforts by engaging them with potential financing institutions and grouping them to be productive teams in conducting businesses. SPECIFIC PROJECT TARGET GROUPS The program is aimed at reaching youths in the following categories: Disadvantaged poor rural and urban youth (aged 15-30 years) Youth without or at risk of losing parental care Teen mothers, female (child) headed households Youth living with HIV/AIDS) Former sex workers Persons with disabilities but can manage to work within the trades offered SELECTION PROCESS Youth are admitted into the program through Referral from Community Based Organizations (CBOs) Normal application process Advertisement is placed on media by Habitat For Humanity Aspirants youths sending application using admission forms Conducting interviews (oral & written) Selection  and screening of candidates Walk in interviews

Habitat for Humanity Malawi (HFHM) organized the National Disaster Risk Reduction, Response and Recovery (DRRR) Lessons Learnt Workshop on Monday 2nd September, 2019 at Cross Roads Hotel in Blantyre. The workshop convened all key stakeholders under the Shelter and Camp Management Cluster with an aim of reviewing and understanding the biggest lessons learned in preparing for, responding to and recovering from Tropical Cyclone Idai that decimated parts of the country in March this year. The National Lessons Learned Workshop focused on understanding what worked well and the challenges faced by different stakeholders during the response and recovery phases of the disasters. Understanding how best to overcome the challenges and put together concise recommendations will help drive the future of disaster resilience in Malawi. Further to that, the submissions from workshop will help understand the best way to move forward and protect the communities in the disaster prone areas in the future. The National Director for Habitat for Humanity Malawi, Mr. Kelvin Kalonga said the HFHM is committed to ensuring that the affected communities recover and build back better and stronger form the devastation caused by the heavy rains, strong winds, associated with the Tropical Cyclone Idai. The workshop was funded by “Building Resilience of Disaster Affected Families and Organizational Capacity at Habitat Malawi” project funded by the JTI Foundation implemented by Habitat for Humanity Malawi. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), Department of Housing under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MoLHUD) and Shelter and Camp Management Cluster Stakeholders attended the workshop. The assessment estimates of the total damage and losses resulted from the effects of the Tropical Cyclone Idai amounted to U$S 220.2 million. Out of this, housing suffered the most damage with damages and losses amounting to U$S 106.6 million. The floods resulted in damage of 288,371 houses across the affected districts.