Overview

FLAG

 

The Flag of Malawi

The following facts were taken from the

CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

                                                      Updated 20th June 2014.

Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation

of Malawi in 1964

 After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year.

Malawi is situated in Southern Africa, landlocked between Zambia to the west and

Mozambique to the  east and north.

There is a short border (475km) due north with Tanzania

The Total area of Malawi is 118,484sq km

Land: 94,080sq km

Water (Lake Malawi): 24,404sq km

The Population is:  17,377,46

The people are 82.6% Christian and 13% Muslim.

English is the main language but there are over nine Ethnic Groups

who between them speak 11 local languages.

Independence Day (Republic Day) is on 6th July 1964 and is a National

Holiday.

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world’s most densely populated and least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture, which has benefited from fertilizer subsidies since 2006, accounts for one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations.

In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program.

In December 2007, the US granted Malawi eligibility status to receive financial support within the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) initiative. The government faces many challenges including developing a market economy, improving educational facilities, facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that fiscal discipline is being tightened.

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OUR TWINNING

Malawi-Twin was established in the year 2001.   A team of parishioners from Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Tonbridge, Kent, UK, manages the project and each has their own area of responsibility.

Our aim is to raise funds for selected projects in Malawi.  We support four parishes by providing funds for various projects for which they request assistance.  This includes church and school buildings repairs/improvements and help with cultivation of food crops.

We also support various projects including schools, child care and other initiatives which are aimed at improving the quality of life for those in the local community.

Apart from the support of our parishioners, we have the support of companies and individuals who donate their time, skills and services to our annual Container projects.