Country regions: Mchinji

Malawi is a small but densely populated country in land-locked Central Africa. Its scenery is beautiful, with the massive Lake Malawi forming its Eastern border and Mount Mulanje, the highest peak in Central Africa, dominating the South of the country. Malawians are renowned the world over for their warmth and friendliness and it seems impossible to walk anywhere without someone striking up a conversation with you. This has earned Malawi the title of ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’. This belies the terrible poverty that millions of Malawians face every day.  Approximately 65% of Malawians live below the poverty line and food insecurity affects the majority of households. Malawi was ranked 160 out of 182 countries in the 2007 UNDP Human Development Index.

Mchinji is a bustling little town in the central province of Malawi. The Project placements are split between Mchinji Mission, a rural area surrounded by villages, and the town centre, Mchinji Boma. Mchinji lies approximately 100km west of the capital, Lilongwe, and is close to the Zambian border. People and goods travel through Mchinji to and from Zambia, which is part of the reason why it is so lively. The town has a busy market and numerous local shops and stalls, as well as a small supermarket and basic restaurants.