2025 Malawi

Malawi is a relatively small republic in the southeast of Africa. Malawi’s economy is one of the poorest in the world, heavily dependent on small-scale agriculture (tobacco, maize, tea) and highly vulnerable to climate change, such as droughts and floods. Approximately 80% of the population works in the agricultural sector, which accounts for more than a third of GDP. The country struggles with high inflation, food insecurity, and limited economic growth.

To support the community, the development of more and extended education is vital. A Dutch foundation called “Warm Hart voor Malawi” (a Warm Heart for Malawi) is supporting children in need for more education. In careful consultation with educational experts, they select talented but cash-strapped children and guide them towards achieving a high level of education. In return the community will benefit from these students towards the overall economic growth of their country. The foundation is relatively small, but seriously involved in a succesful educationprogram for these student. They have invited Jaap to attend their visit to Malawi, thus providing a documentary series about the mode of operation and the achievements made by the foundation. Jaap joined the members of the foundation in their visits with the students as well as their contacts with schools, hospitals, universities, parents, and governmental officials. It clearly showed the importance of the development work, even done by small organisations, but it also inconveniantly emphisized the huge contrast with the wealth in Western Europe.