Pam & Henry Noppers

Participants checking in for a food Distribution in the community of Ifotaka

Greetings from Madagascar!

Madagascar - off Africa’s southeast coast

Many areas of Africa are facing serious challenges right now, but southern Madagascar has been particularly hard hit. World Renew is partnering with SAF/FJKM—Sampan’Asa Fampandrosoana of the Fiangonan’i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara—on a Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) funded food assistance project in the Amboasary district. The region has been severely affected by prolonged drought and food insecurity, with many families surviving on only one small meal a day, often just plain rice, which falls far short of meeting their nutritional needs.

This assignment came together quickly and a bit unexpectedly, giving us the chance to work in a country and with a partner completely new to us. One of the biggest adjustments has been language. Madagascar has two official languages—Malagasy and French—but in the rural south, French isn’t widely spoken. Not that our grade-school French would have gotten us very far anyway! Most conversations here happen only in Malagasy, so our interpreter, Michelin, has become a lifeline. Thanks to him, we’ve been able to build meaningful connections with both the SAF team and the communities they serve.

We’re also grateful to Matilda Okech, World Renew’s Director of International Disaster Response, who traveled from Kenya to join us at the start of this assignment. She helped open doors—introducing us to the local partner and joining us on a preliminary visit to the project site—which set the stage for the work to follow.

Stacks of 60 kg bags of rice - ready to be distributed

Each month, for five months, the project provides 2,100 vulnerable households with food baskets that include 60 kg of rice, 9 kg of beans, and 2 litres of cooking oil.

It’s a response designed to fill the most urgent needs, while also being carefully targeted and community-led. SAF/FJKM is doing an excellent job ensuring the distributions are fair, transparent, and safe.

We’ve been involved in several aspects of the project: joining food distributions, visiting communities, and supporting the survey process—helping with survey design, assisting with training on the KoboCollect app used for data collection, and accompanying the team in the field for parts of the endline survey. We’re also working with the team to make some behind-the-scenes processes more efficient for future projects.

One of the SAF Project Team Members interviews a project participant

One of the highlights for us has been sitting down with families in the program—hearing their stories, and understanding both their struggles and their remarkable resilience. It’s a sobering reminder of how deeply the climate crisis is affecting daily life, especially for women-led households, older adults, and those living with disability.

Anakovatae, a project participant, tends beans she planted from her food rations

The SAF/FJKM staff—both the local team and their HQ in the capital of Antananarivo—have been incredibly supportive and welcoming. We’re thankful for their partnership, and their deep commitment to the communities they serve.

With the SAF Project Team - in front of their field office in Amboasary

The work continues, with one monthly food distribution still to come and much still to do as we review the endline survey results—measuring the project’s impact—and help SAF complete the reporting and documentation required by CFGB.

We’re grateful for your continued support and interest in this work—and we’d ask you to keep Madagascar in your thoughts and prayers. Rainfall remains unpredictable, and the needs are immense. But so too is the strength of the communities here.

We have included a few photos below that we hope will offer glimpses into the people, places, and moments - and bring some helpful context to what we’ve shared.

Thanks for journeying with us 😊,

Pam & Henry

Food Distribution in Salima District

On March 23, 2024, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera declared a State of Disaster across 23 of the country’s 28 districts due to severe weather conditions linked to El Niño. Prolonged dry spells have devastated crops, with maize - the staple food - taking the hardest hit. Nearly 2 million farming households now face food shortages after losing 44% of the maize harvest, alongside significant losses in rice and groundnuts. In Salima, a district in Central Malawi, the drought’s impact has been particularly severe, straining both food security and livelihoods. President Chakwera called for urgent help, asking Malawians, international partners, and organizations to come together to fight hunger and save lives.

Salima District - IPC 3

Families have had to adapt in difficult ways, turning to less nutritious food, reducing meal frequencies, and even selling assets to make ends meet. Opportunities for piece work - casual work in agriculture, domestic labour, and tourism - have declined sharply. The effects extend beyond food and income, threatening children’s education and weakening community health. Following the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification standard, Salima is currently at IPC Phase 3 - crisis level.

Banner displayed during distributions - proving project details in Chichewa detailing

Banner providing project information
in Chichewa - the local language

World Renew has responded to President Chakwera’s urgent plea for help, partnering with a local NGO to support those affected by the crisis. We feel honoured to return to Malawi and to support this disaster response project, funded by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). The initiative is led by Nkhoma Relief and Development (NRD), the development arm of the Central Church of Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Nkhoma Synod. The project includes 5 monthly food distributions - providing maize flour, beans, and cooking oil - to 1,715 of the most vulnerable households in the Salima district - households deeply affected by the drought and crop failures. It will also provide sweet potato vine cuttings for planting, to assist in restoring their agricultural livelihoods.

Participants will receive 8 bundles of Sweet Potato Vines when the rains arrive

Being part of food distributions is one of the most meaningful parts of our work. Seeing the gratitude of the people, expressed so personally and sincerely, is incredibly touching and leaves such a lasting impression.

Community meeting prior to a food distribution

Members of the Community Advisory Committee

Participants also receive 3 litres of cooking oil monthly

Volunteers assisting with offloading

It's truly a privilege for us to work alongside Nkhoma Relief and Development (NRD) and the incredible members of their project team. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment inspire us daily, and their sense of humour adds a contagious energy that makes our time with them so meaningful and memorable. We continue to learn such valuable lessons from their example.

The NRD project team (L-R): Various, Ruth, Rev. Blessings, Silvia, Bertha, Rachel, Christian, Hastings, and Brian

This is our 4^thtrip to Malawi since 2022, and each visit deepens our appreciation and admiration for this country and its people. What stays with us most is their strength, their hope, and the way they come together to support one another through challenges. These experiences have made a lasting impression on us, and we carry their stories as a powerful reminder of resilience and what true community really looks like. In the remainder of this blog, we want to share more about the culture, history, and daily life of the people of Salima. We hope to offer a glimpse into the lives and traditions of the people whose stories have stayed with us, and maybe you’ll find yourself as intrigued with Malawi as we’ve become!

Meeting with Nasinaya, a project participant, outside of her home

Salima’s Rich Culture and History: The Chewa and Yao Peoples

Salima is a vibrant lakeside district in central Malawi, known for its picturesque shores along Lake Malawi. Offering stunning beaches, diverse wildlife, and a rich history of cultural heritage, it attracts both tourists and locals alike.

Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi

Waterbuck

Vervet Monkey

Beyond its natural beauty, Salima is deeply enriched by the warmth of its people. This district is home to two of Malawi’s largest ethnic groups, the Chewa and the Yao. Both groups trace their roots to Bantu-speaking communities and have a distinct yet interconnected history that has shaped their identities.

The Chewa people, who make up roughly 35% of Malawi’s population, have a history linked to the Maravi Empire, which extended over parts of modern-day Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique. Their migration southward from the Congo Basin in the 15th century led to their settlement in central and southern Malawi. Over centuries, the Chewa have maintained a strong cultural identity, preserving their language, customs, and values through generations.
Known for their unique heritage, the Yao people represent about 13% of the population, and originated from northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania. In the late 1800s, the Yao played a significant role in regional commerce, linking inland regions to the Swahili coast of East Africa through long-distance trade networks. Their partnership with Arab and Swahili traders facilitated the spread of Islam, which continues to be central to Yao culture today.

Historical and Religious Influences Shaping Identity

The histories of the Chewa and Yao ethnic groups reflect resilience and adaptability in the face of changing social and political landscapes.

The Chewa people were historically rooted in a community based and inclusive structure. At its core were the local chiefs who played a central role in the administration of justice, management of resources, and oversaw equitable land distribution based on family needs. The arrival of European missionaries in the late 1800s brought Christianity to the Chewa, which blended with their traditional beliefs. Its emphasis on belief in a Creator God, fair and equal justice for all, compassion for others, and collective worship aligned with their strong sense of unity. By the late 19^th century, the Chewa people had embraced Christian teachings integrating them into their spiritual practices, and creating a fusion of faith and traditional customs that remains evident today.

A mosque in a rural village

The Yao, by contrast, developed strong trade networks with coastal Arab and Swahili traders, and these trade systems eventually expanded to inland regions such as central Malawi, where they established settlements. This interaction fostered cultural and religious exchange, leading to the widespread adoption of Islam among the Yao. Yao chiefs, known as sultans, became influential leaders who promoted literacy, religious education, and trade. The Yao’s adoption of Islam - faith in one God, daily prayers, donating a portion of one’s income to the poor, and fasting - emphasized community solidarity and moral conduct, and became a defining element of their identity.

Colonial rule introduced significant challenges for the Chewa and Yao people. The British established large plantations and introduced cash crops such as tea, tobacco, groundnuts, and cotton, consolidating fertile lands under their control. Many Chewa, Yao, and other indigenous groups were displaced from their ancestral lands, and forced to labour on European plantations and build infrastructure such as roads and railways.

Malawi gained independence in 1964, yet the process of redistributing land more equitably to marginalized communities remains slow, and many Chewa, Yao, and other ethnicities still rely on small plots of land for subsistence farming.

Cultural Practices and Modern Realities

The Chewa and Yao people of today, continue to celebrate and preserve their heritage through various cultural practices. Language, dance, attire, and artistry remain vital expressions of identity and community pride.
The Chewa are well-known for the Gule Wamkulu dance - a UNESCO recognized cultural heritage practice involving dancers who perform at traditional and religious ceremonies, and festivals. The dance symbolizes spiritual connections and social values, serving as an important means of cultural preservation. The Yao perform the Mganda and Malipenga dance, often showcased during public gatherings, weddings, and religious celebrations. While both groups maintain their unique customs, they frequently come together to celebrate shared events, encouraging unity and mutual appreciation.

Traditional clothing is another important aspect of cultural identity. Both Yao and Chewa women wear chitenge cloths - a brightly coloured and patterned rectangular piece of clothcommonly tied at the waist as a sarong-style skirt. It is a versatile garment as the women will also use it as a headscarf, a baby carrier, or even as a shawl. Yao men typically wear a kofia, a round, brimless cap, and will don long robes called a kanzu or thawb during religious gatherings and special occasions. Their clothing reflects cultural values, religious beliefs, and social traditions that connect the past to the present.

Artisans from both communities contribute to Salima’s cultural richness through craftsmanship. Chewa artists create intricate wood carvings and canvas paintings depicting ancestral stories, local wildlife, historical themes, and daily life in rural communities today. Meanwhile, Yao weavers craft baskets, hats, and various articles using dried palm fronds, a tradition passed down through generations. The artistry of the Chewa and Yao is cherished locally and beyond, providing both cultural pride and economic opportunity.

Daily Life and Economic Realities

Agriculture remains the backbone of life for most Yao and Chewa households. Families grow crops such as maize, cassava, groundnuts, and sweet potatoes on small plots of land. Traditional farming practices, passed down through generations, involve the entire family in planting and harvesting. Home gardens provide vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and leafy greens, which contribute to household meals and generate additional income. Fishing in Lake Malawi also plays a crucial role in local livelihoods, offering a dietary supplement and a source of income through fish sales at local markets.

This fertile land lies in a flood plain, and can support the banana trees
in the background - surrounding areas are barren during the dry season

Market days in Salima are bustling events where community members gather to trade goods, exchange stories, and build social connections. Despite the hardships brought on by drought and food shortages, the spirit of cooperation and resilience remains strong among the Chewa and Yao. Their ability to adapt and support one another underscores their cultural values and communal strength.

A typical roadside vegetable market

Living in Harmony and Building Resilience Together

The Chewa and Yao people exemplify a harmonious way of life that resonates with the land, lake, and each other. Despite having distinct traditions and dialects, they share a genuine reverence for each other’s heritage, fostering a unique sense of unity and integrity that strengthens their communities. They live side by side peacefully - handling conflicts with patience, and recognizing and understanding their differences. With their cultural roots steeped in a rich historical past, both the Yao and Chewa continue to play a significant role in the traditions and social fabric of Malawi.

We have truly valued our time spent in the rural communities of Salima. The sense of mutual respect and cooperation we observed here stands as an inspiring model for people everywhere, proving that diversity, when embraced, is a source of character and strength. As we leave Salima, we carry with us not only memories of the kindness and welcoming spirit of its people but also a lesson in the true sense of community - a lesson that will stay with us long after we are gone.

Sunrise over Lake Malawi

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A heartfelt thank you to Christian, our Project Coordinator, from Mangochi, Malawi. Through his invaluable insights into the Chewa and Yao people, gathered through numerous conversations, he served as an exceptional source for the information shared in our blog.