We decided to concentrate first on Malawi because it is a very poor country that is stable, enjoys religious tolerance and puts a high premium on education. Malawi is rarely in the spotlight when it comes to African aid. It is referred to as the “warm heart of Africa.”

Malawi is one of the smallest African countries, about the size of Pennsylvania. It is densely populated (for its size) with a population of approximately 12 million, most of whom live in the rural areas. Malawi achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and has a democratic republic form of Government with elections every five years. English is widely spoken and taught in schools. It borders with Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. The economy is predominately agricultural but the country depends on substantial economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank and individual donor nations. The greatest crisis facing Malawi is poverty. It is estimated that about half of the country is Christian, 12% Islamic and various other faiths and sects make up the remaining 38%. There is a high degree of religious tolerance between all religions, which contributes to the generally peaceful state of affairs in Malawi.

Zimbabwe gained independence from the UK in 1980. Prior to that it was known as Rhodesia or Southern Rhodesia. The country is much larger than Malawi but has roughly the same population size. Inflation, which was rising daily, is the highest in the world and unemployment hovers at 80% with life expectancy about 40 years. The official language is English. In 2011 we started a program to support girls education in Zimbabwe. The educational system in Zimbabwe was once regarded as among the best in Africa but has deteriorated drastically because of the economic meltdown. Education in the government-runs schools was made free in 1980 but by the end of the decade the government had steadily increased the charges attached to school enrollment which hurt the poorest in society, particularly the girls. Reportedly 25% of all teachers have left the country and primary and secondary education are no longer free in Zimbabwe. There is some hope though. Since 2009 there has been a UNICEF/government initiative that sets out to give schools vital support. Currently around 10 pupils share every text book while 20% of primary schools apparently have no textbooks at all for English, Math or the local language. Unfortunately the program barely scrapes the surface of sending children to school and its main success has been in Mashonaland, the area around Harare. Our students are in an area called Matabeleland North, several hours from Victoria Falls. Where our students are, there has been little of the funding for vulnerable children's education so these girls would not go to school if we did not pay their school fees.

Photo Caption: In January 2011 we started a ‘girls only’ initiative in a remote area of Zimbabwe in one of the communities surrounding Hwange national park, Zimbabwe’s oldest and largest park. We partner with Children in the Wilderness Zimbabwe. Seen here Gillian, Robynne from CITW, and our two students Pamela and Sinquobile