The World Vision Malawi said it is delighted for a successful implemention of Lipiri Area Program (AP) in Senior chief Kayembe, Dowa district, which have seen the lives of people transformed.
World Vision Malawi has been active in the area for 18 years, implementing initiatives in health, Advocacy, Maternal and Child Health Education, sponsorship Water, sanitation and Hygiene, and Livelihood and Resilience.
Speaking during the closure of the project at Mdika Primary School on Thursday, World Vision National Director Francis Dube described their 18 years of existence in the area as successful saying lives have been remarkably uplifted.
He admitted that before the program was introduced in 2006, there was numerous of challenges which have been addressed over the years.
“Through the Education project, Mdika Girls’ hostel was constructed, and helped ease the extreme hardships that girls used to suffer”
“The project has helped to increase number of school enrollment from 68.9 percent in 2013 to 89.1 percent in 2024 while access to education services has increased from 27 percent, to 83 percent,” said Dube
According to Dube, other successes including the increasing number of people who have access to clean and portable water from sustained water systems, as a result of drilling 129 boreholes and establishing reticulated Water system in the area.
Additionally, Dube over the years of World Vision existence, the number of stunted Children has decreased from 49 percent in 2013 to the current percentage of 49.1 percent.
He further pleaded with the Government and all stakeholders, to help sustain the development interventions that World Vision and the People of Lipiri have built over the 18 years of existence in the area.
Deputy Minister of Education, Nancy Chaola Mdooko commended World Vision’s dedication to improving the lives of the people in Lipiri Area.
“To World Vision, I extend my sincerest gratitude for your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to Malawi’s development. Your legacy in Lipiri will endure, a shining example of what can be achieved through collective development interventions,” she said
However, Senior Chief Kayembe has urged people of her area to join hands to take very good care of the assets left behind by World Vision.
The Lipiri Area Program was initiated in October 2006 with support from World Vision New Zealand, and it is transitioning in September 2024.
