The staff carefully select participants in partnership with with village chiefs and teachers. We identify the most vulnerable and impoverished children and households, and then visit to assess their interest, motivation, and living conditions. Once the children are enrolled, we conduct a monthly review of their academic progress.
How We Work
Early childhood education is uncommon in Malawi, yet research shows it sets the foundation for lifelong learning. Our preschool serves children ages 2 - 5 providing:
Daily breakfast
Lessons in language arts and math in Chichewa and English
Songs, games, playtime, and social skills development
Hygiene and access to showers
Tree planting and environmental awareness
Preschool
Comprehensive Childcare
Children living in rural villages face many challenges such as lack of electricity, and household responsibilities that make studying difficult. Our program ensures elementary and middle school aged children thrive with:
Daily tutoring and academic enrichment and support
School supplies and uniforms
Meals
Hygiene education and supplies
Access to showers
Trade skills training in sewing, farming, and cooking
Girls High School Education
The costs of books, uniforms, and exam fees are too high for many families. When resources are limited, families prioritize the education of sons over daughters. Agape Farmhands ensures 45 girls receive a high school education and support for long term success with:
School uniforms, supplies, shoes, and exam fees
Tutoring
On-site lodging for one-third of the girls
Meals
Sanitary and hygiene products to ensure they do not miss school
Counseling on early marriage, unplanned pregnancies, and mental health
Career guidance and vocational field trips
Field trips to government institutions, banks, and other places of future employment
Women’s and Men’s Groups
Parents and community leaders are vital to our mission. They function as community liaisons to help engage other villagers and provide feedback on our programs. Weekly gatherings provide women and men with:
Strengths-based workshops to address inter-personal, social, economic, health, and nutritional needs
Entrepreneurship, business, and money management training
Home management and agricultural skills
Coaching on caregiving as fathers and husbands
Mutual support and shared meals
Community Outreach & Engagement
To create awareness of our programs in local villages and build relationships, we carry out the following activities:
Weekly day-camp open to all village children
Health education workshops
Adult literacy classes
Agriculture trainings
Family planning awareness
Best student awards
Girls’ education awareness workshops
Children’s rights advocacy
Agricultural Training Center and Farm
Youth and adults participate in and benefit from the agricultural training at the farm. Bananas, corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and peanuts rotates with other crops in fields irrigated by a solar-powered system.
In 24-week training sessions, members of our adult groups acquire skills in:
Sustainable farming, crop management, irrigation, pest and disease control
Animal husbandry
Marketing and financial management
Tailoring Training Center
In 24-week training sessions, recent high school graduates and adults from our programs receive instruction and training on:
Operating Singer treadle and electric sewing machines
Design and sewing
Business planning
Trainees receive starter packs with fabric and supplies to start their own business.