Dear Kudimba Friends, Old and New,
We are pleased to share this special edition of our newsletter with you. This issue marks a significant milestone—the 10th anniversary of purchasing the land in Malawi, the very foundation of the Kudimba project.
In this special edition, as we welcome new Kudimba friends and update our long-time readers, we take this opportunity to provide an overview of the Kudimba project, highlight our achievements, and share our short- and long-term goals for the future.
Kudimba is a daycare centre for vulnerable children and young people in the Lifuwu area, in the Salima district of Malawi. The participants of Kudimba are vulnerable due to their special needs, health conditions, or complex social backgrounds. Our daycare centre is staffed by a team of dedicated local co-workers who provide care for the most vulnerable children and young people in the area. The program offers nutrition, hygiene, education, basic therapeutic activities, and recreation. Healthcare is provided when needed, mainly through referrals.
Where possible, the children are encouraged and supported to participate in regular education. On-site, Kudimba offers individually tailored care in a stimulating setting.
Sensory Activities.
Since purchasing the land in 2015, Kudimba has made great progress.
We have built:
- A borehole with a submersible solar water pump
- A fully operational solar power system for electricity
- Three tanks for water storage
- Extensive staff accommodation
- Storerooms and a garage with a technical room for our solar PV installation
- A beautiful kitchen block with an office and a toy library
- Our education centre — the heart of our project
- A guesthouse for visitors, which also serves as an income-generating initiative
- A protective wall surrounding the property, creating a green oasis and a safe haven for children, staff, and visitors alike
Hello!
Small group
We are proud to highlight that Kudimba is 100% self-reliant and completely off-grid through our own borehole with solar pump and PV system
So far, Kudimba has registered 67 participants, all children and young people from the area, all with special needs. Not all participants attend every day. Some families temporarily relocate due to the harvest or fishing season, while others move permanently. Some children attend boarding school and only visit Kudimba during the holidays. Unfortunately, some parents struggle with the routine of bringing their child to the daycare regularly. Sadly, we have lost a few young participants over the years.
Kudimba currently employs 16 full-time and 4 part-time local staff members and 3 local outreach workers who visit weekly to support the team.
One of our key goals is to create meaningful employment where possible. Kudimba actively hires vulnerable members of the community, as well as some older participants from our program. These individuals have become valued team members, earning a salary and enjoying the same working conditions and benefits as the other staff members.
English class
We take pride in maintaining a balanced and inclusive workforce, with an equal representation of women and men. Additionally, 7 out of our 20 permanent team members have a physical disability.
Our team consists of care staff for the children, a transport team that provides bicycle transport for some of our participants, a kitchen and housekeeping team, a technical team and the night watchmen. Additionally, a local physiotherapist and a local nurse regularly support both our team and participants on an outreach basis.
With the exception of our gardener and the night watchmen, all Kudimba staff members take on additional responsibilities alongside their daily roles. For example Bright works as a carer and teacher for the older group but is also responsible for managing supplies and bookkeeping. John, Robert, and Ididi also work as carers for the older group while supporting the technical team and providing bicycle transport for the participants in the morning and evening.
Last year was a difficult one for Kudimba. Due to a combination of circumstances, Lake Malawi overflowed its shores, flooding a large part of our land. Fortunately, there was minimal structural damage, but many plants, trees, and bushes died due to prolonged water logging. As a result, we had to replant much of our beautiful garden.
We took preventive measures, and so far, it looks like we will make it through the rainy season unscathed. However, this is largely due to the lack of rainfall this year — an unfortunate reality for farmers and the many people who rely on much-needed food crops for survival.
Under the tree
Kudimba Bus
We currently have a small permaculture garden, but our goal is to restart and expand it at our new site: Sandulika.
Sandulika is our newest project. We are developing a centre for social employment, vocational training, and sheltered housing for young adults with special needs from the Lifuwu area.
Sandulika’s Objectives are:
- Empower and create income-generating opportunities for young people with special needs
- Provide safe, fulfilling and appropriate livelihoods for participants
- Foster independence with minimal support
- Promote social inclusion and reduce discrimination
- Offer essential life skills training, including hygiene, health and nutrition
- Provide vocational training in various fields
- Promote solutions for sustainable living
- Serve as a role model for the wider community
Sandulika Construction
We have already made significant progress at Sandulika:
- We installed a borehole and built a small structure to protect the pump, with an attached storeroom.
- Construction of a sanitation block was completed with two showers and two toilets for girls, two showers and two toilets for boys and a central laundry area. A double water tower was built with two tanks to ensure a reliable water supply.
- We installed a septic tank for wastewater management from the sanitation facilities.
- Our first covered structure was completed, which includes an open space for social and recreational activities, a basic kitchen area and two storerooms.
- We have just started constructing a perimeter wall to enclose and safeguard the project.
Additionally, Sandulika is now officially registered in the UK as a Community Interest Company (CIC), strengthening our ability to grow and secure support.
With construction in full swing, every Malawi kwacha, pound, dollar, and euro counts. Donations are needed not only for building materials but also for the project’s day-to-day operations, including food for participants (especially as food prices continue to rise due to climate-related challenges), medicine and healthcare, repairs and maintenance and allowances for staff.
If you’d like to support Kudimba, Sandulika, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We are truly grateful for your interest in our project and the support Kudimba and Sandulika have received over the years. Every contribution, big or small, whether financial or otherwise , has made a meaningful impact, and the project wouldn’t be where it is today without your generosity. A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you!
The Kudimba team
The Kudimba Team