Kaya Mawa Community Projects

Island Child

During your stay at Kaya Mawa we highly recommend a visit to Nkhwazi primary school. You will be shown around the classrooms and can meet the pupils, many of whom are the children of Kaya Mawa staff. The school was constructed by the Kaya Mawa building team and includes a science laboratory, financed jointly by the lodge and our guests.

Island Child is a program run by Kaya Mawa to encourage guests and other individuals to sponsor a child through one year or more of school. The amount sponsored covers the child's fees, uniform, books, stationary and any other items the child might need to complete primary & secondary school education. Other 'one off' donations assist in the general upgrade of the school, for example to buy more books, furniture or equipment, ultimately improving the standard of the school.

It is Kaya Mawa's dream to provide sponsorship for all children at Nkhwazi school, and ultimately, for the whole island.

Our latest development at the school is to assist with funding books for a library, which will be open to the local community.

Up on the hill by the view point a water tank has been constructed by Kaya Mawa to supply running water to the two local villages surrounding the lodge. The idea is to offer guests the opportunity to 'sponsor' a garden - to fund a tap with connecting pipes, some seeds and manure. In return for this, each family will be expected to grow 5 citrus and 5 hardwood trees and to plant a 15 square meter vegetable garden. The aim is to encourage families to become self sufficient, and to promote agricultural growth on the island.

Feathers in caps, socks pulled up to knees, the haunting trumpeting of the calabash tells the stories of colonial days gone by. The Malipenga (male) and Chioda (female) dance teams are an integral part of Malawi culture. Competitions take place each year on Likoma and the neighbouring island Chizimulu. We have a close relationship with these dance teams & together with our guests, sponsor the uniforms, provide transport & encourage the continuation of these cultural gatherings.

As the sun sets you may hear the distant beating of drums, African voices singing and see silhouettes dancing to the rhythm. This is the choir sailing around honeymoon island, lanterns swaying in the wind – a magical experience under the African sky.

Contemporary African beaded textiles, clothing and crafts are hand crafted in the warm heart of the island by single mothers and underprivileged individuals at Katundu workshop. Katundu selects employees through the orphan program in Mbungo village, focusing on training and development of indigenous crafts and skills.

Katundu products are displayed throughout the lodge and can be purchased from the Kaya Mawa shop.

12 orphan children from Likoma have been selected to attend the Children in the Wilderness program at Chinteche Inn in January 2007. The programme is dedicated to helping children whose childhoods have been disrupted, focusing on giving them the skills to cope with life's challenges and educating them with the life skills necessary to actualise their greatest potential.

To encourage small business opportunities, Kaya Mawa decided to outsource the baking of scones for their staff to three ladies from the orphan program in the local village Nkhwazi. This gives the ladies a good regular income and a chance to provide for their families.

Mbungo village orphan program was set up by the community completely on their own initiative. There are approximately 60 orphans in the village, each child allocated and cared for by a guardian. Whilst this is a fantastic alternative to an orphanage, it does put tremendous financial strain on families who are already struggling. The committee of the program donate money each month to provide food, soap and basic necessities for the orphans, thus helping distribute the financial burden.

The orphan program strives to be self sufficient, and have set up several projects. A thriving vegetable garden has been cultivated, a goat pen built and there are future plans for chickens – each project supplying the orphans with food and the surplus sold to generate income.

With the growing number of orphans in the village, a need for a nursery became apparent. Three local villagers decided to volunteer their time to look after and teach the orphans, enabling the guardians the opportunity to work. Through the dedication & enthusiasm of the volunteers they opened up the nursery to include all children in the village.

A derelict old mud hut soon out grew the number of children so the volunteers successfully sought funding to build their own pre-school. In admiration of the project funding for a playground has also been allocated, and a daily food program started.

Mbungo primary school has very little in the way of books, stationary and basic learning materials. Through funds raised, each child has been sponsored and all the basic materials have been provided. Each child now has a uniform and a daily food program provides the children with nutrition.

Kaya Mawa strongly acknowledges the importance of HIV/AIDS education. Talks by the District HIV Co-ordinator are presented to staff, addressing all issues concerning the disease.

Our company policy ensures job security for all employees, encourages voluntary testing, and offers support and medical assistance to those who need it. We have a strong relationship with each member of staff, each individual considered as family. We will endeavour to do whatever it takes to combat this disease within our community.

Likoma Island is one of those rare gems left in the world - genuine, innocent and unspoilt. Kaya Mawa feel compelled to protect it and keep it that way.

Tourism on the island is increasing & with this development, potential negative impacts of tourism are inevitable. In conjunction with the District Commissioner & village headman, Kaya Mawa intervenes & addresses problems as they arise, ensuring there is no irreparable damage.

The two problems the island is currently facing are litter and 'begging'. With the increased disposable income, the build up of litter is becoming a serious issue. No provision had been made - no litter bins, no refuse collection, no pits for burning. Kaya Mawa approached the District Commissioner and local chiefs, stressing the importance of implementing a clean up policy. Together with their co-operation a clean up policy has been initiated. Schools have also been targeted, educating the children on the environmental issues and the importance of keeping their island clean.

Children on the island often receive gifts from guests visiting - pens, sweets, even a bottle of water. Unfortunately these generous gestures lead to expectations and the children have started to ask and beg for things. To protect the children from this pollution we request that if you would like to give, please choose one of the community projects listed above. Thank you!