MALAWI: ActionAid Strengthens Early Childhood Learning in Mulanje

By Smile Hamilton Malawi

ActionAid Malawi, with support from the Roger Federer Foundation, is strengthening early childhood learning in Mulanje through the School Readiness Initiative, which is being implemented across five Traditional Authorities. The project aims to ensure that children leaving CBCCs enter primary school fully prepared.

During a handover ceremony, School Readiness Initiative Project Officer Sungani Kaluwa said the mentorship component remains central to the programme. “This initiative empowers communities through strong peer-to-peer learning, and mentorship is one of the most sustainable ways of building long-term capacity,” he said.

ActionAid Malawi has trained 14 mentors in early childhood development, positive mentorship, and the use of the Early Learning Kiosk. The organisation has also distributed 14 bicycles worth MK4 million to support the mentors’ mobility.

One of the mentors, Sunganani Kaluwa, said the bicycle will greatly support his work. “This bicycle will help me ease the mobility challenges I face when visiting different CBCCs for coaching and monitoring,” he said.

Mulanje Social Welfare Officer Davie Nyasulu commended ActionAid Malawi for strengthening early childhood structures. “This approach boosts community-based systems and ensures children receive quality foundational education” he said.