Project Description
YouthCode is one of the Promoting Organisations (POs) in Malawi for the Self-Help Group Approach (SHGA) supported by the German organisation called Kindernothilfe (KNH), implemented through the Rays of Hope in Malawi (RAHOM). YouthCode started promoting the approach in Nkhotakota in 2019 in the area of Traditional Authority Mphonde and Mwadzama. The title of the project is "Building a Sustainable and Empowered People's Institution through Self-Help Group Approach". The objective of the project is to improve the lives of children through their mothers and improve household income and political participation of 360 Self Help Groups (SHGs) of women promoted in Traditional Authority Mphonde and Mwadzama in Nkhotakota by 2025.
In terms of the implementation strategy, the organisation has established a district office to backstop the implementation of the project. There are two full-time project officers for the project. At the community level, there are Community Facilitators (CFs). They help in community mobilisation. They also help in facilitating the formation of the SHGs. After the SHGs, there are Cluster Level Associations, then there is a People's Institution, also known as the Federation, at the district level.

 

Objectives of the Programme
Overall objective: To improve the household income and political participation of 118,000 SHG women promoted in 30 communities by 30 Promoting Organizations by 2027.

Specific

• Improved basic living conditions for SHG families.
• Promoted rights and values conducive for women and children
• Functional Peoples Institution sustaining the approach and promote the rights of women and children

Activities

• Facilitate the establishment of the Self-help Groups
• Strengthen the SHGs
• Formation of Cluster Level Associations (CLAs)
• CLA strengthening meetings.
• CLA management trainings
• Book Writers training
• Business management training
• Child protection training to Community Facilitators (CFs)
• CFs meetings
• Community Leaders meeting
• Monitoring and Supervision Visits by PO
• Management, Monitoring, and Supervision visits
• Formation of new CLA
• Train CLA and CFs on CLA management, resource mobilisation and asset management

Impact / Results (if available)
Improved economic resilience and sustainable livelihoods of women and children especially the marginalized groups through increased access to skills development, entrepreneurship opportunities, and productive resources. A total of MK45,047,650.00 has been saved by women that are involved in the SHG approach. A total of MK63, 514,170.00 in capital by women involved in the SHG approach.
Increased number of schools going children. 8802 children (4,068 boys, 4734 girls) are attending school as a result of their parents’ involvement in the SHGA.

 

Women are economically empowered, actively participate in leadership and decision-making processes, and live in communities that uphold gender equality and positive social norms.