Secret Women
In Chichewa, the widely-spoken language of southern Malawi, being pregnant or “kunkhala ndi pakati” translates to being in the middle..
Malawi
Nancholi Youth Organization Video
During the month of May I organized a video workshop with Malawi Instute of journalism students. This video was filmed and edited with..
Take it slow, my Canadian friend.
I’ll never forget my first day in a Malawian newsroom. I came in eager, ready to utilize countless hours of preparation and training done..
Revamping the Malawi Police Service
“I was detained, in jail for 7 days for no reason,” said Comfort Chitseko, who was arrested by Malawi police in October for allegedly..
Empowering Malawian women one seed at a time
Across Malawi, 5000 women have been trained by Annie Bonomali, a mother of six who’s been involved in making products such as soap, jam..
“Mind the gap” – The crippling impact of HIV/AIDS on family composition and elderly Malawians
The old “respect your elders” adage has customarily been an important part of Malawian culture, with the elderly able to depend on the..
When beggars should be choosers – How the promise of remuneration is heading off freedom of movement and free choice of employment in Malawi
Not long after cutting their teeth, North American children are encouraged to call forward their dreams and consider the question, “What..
Driving change in Malawi – Signposts and speed bumps on the road to gender equality
With two hands gripping the steering wheel and the right turn signal flashing, 21-year-old Vanessa Nsona’s concentration does not waver..
Experiencing the “real” Malawi: A media development journey in Nancholi.
A month ago I was approached by George Nedi, projects coordinator at the Nancholi Youth Organization (NAYO), to produce a short..
"Meating" halfway – The growing importance of soy in Malawi
Skewered meat sizzles on kickstand grills along the main M1 highway, a whole pig is slaughtered in an open-air butcher’s market shack, a..
“Meating” halfway – The growing importance of soy in Malawi
Skewered meat sizzles on kickstand grills along the main M1 highway, a whole pig is slaughtered in an open-air butcher’s market shack, a..
Remodel to rehabilitate – The need for mental health aftercare and rehabilitation treatment in Malawi
A build or remodel is not typically what the doctor ordered to stave off chronic stress and depression; the process risks construction..
Understanding the link between gender and climate change
When I met 16-year-old Chikondi Phiri, she was struggling to lift a weighty load of firewood on top of her head. I offered her a helping..
Queuing for treatment: “In Malawi if you’re diagnosed with cancer, you die”
Being one of the 24 countries with no radiotherapy machine and limited access to medications, Malawi’s health care system has very little..
Firsthand research and experience with the Malawian health care system
“Take a deep breath. Another one, and one more…” Those were the last words I heard before I couldn’t fight the anesthetic anymore..
Fighting for the front page: The challenges of environmental reporting in Malawi
In Malawi, parliamentary proceedings and political scandals dominate the headlines and radio waves. Whether it is a mere press conference..
How Malawi will remember late president Bingu Wa Mutharika
The flag flies at half mast outside Malawi’s parliament building where thousands of civilians have braved long line-ups in smoldering hot..
Children in Malawi run away due to lack of food
Co-written with Sibongele Zgambo from Zodiak Broadcasting Station Its 10 p.m. in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, and the nighttime vultures..
Malawi’s fisherman more likely to catch HIV: Reports
Ronald Gomo, 37, is a fisherman who would rather live alone than associate with the other fishermen who reside on the shorelines of..
Malawi recognizes World Malaria Day
It’s April 25 and 12 year old Blessings Phiri traveled, by foot for hours from his village to sit in the waiting room of Kamuzu Central..
The future of press freedom in Malawi
Joyce Banda was sworn in as Malawi’s newest president on April 7 under the terms of the constitution, following two days of political..
World Press Freedom Day event reveals media freedom in Malawi has a new landscape
Media freedom in Malawi has been commonly deplored, but amidst the political transition that brought Malawi its first female head of state..
Malawi’s motion pictures to contribute to economic development?
“Very few people look at the film industry as a business here in Malawi”, said Shemu Joyah, the director of the film Seasons of a life,..
Rural Malawi’s inaccessibility to oral healthcare
Isaac Muralaudira is 8 years old and has never visited a dentist. He suffers from periodontal disease and tooth decay. “His gums are..
Money lending sparks new-found rights for women in Malawi
Money doesn’t grow on trees, but in Nkalo village it grows near one. In the centre of the village a tree has become the site of new..
Exploitation of Malawi’s tobacco tenants
Eletina Mwale has worked on several tobacco estates since 1985. Currently, she works on a tobacco farm in Salima, Malawi. “I have been in..
Victims of Malawi’s bloody protest speak
July 21, 2011 was an unruly day in Lumbadzi, Malawi – a violent protest paraded through the streets. While some citizens were using the..
The children of Zion Bata
The children of Kachitsa Village, a small village of 1,000 in the northern outskirts of Lilongwe, Malawi, are adamant about their religious..
Radio waves inspire change in Malawi
Violet Banda is not your average 21-year-old. A poised, confident and outspoken child rights activist, Banda personifies the power of radio..
Linking farmers to markets one SMS at a time
For smallholder farmers across Malawi, crop production is merely half of the battle. The real challenge comes postharvest, when the race..
The road to abolishing Malawi’s death row
Malawi’s Legal Aid volunteers sift through a pile of files of those on death row. They are doing everything they can to abolish the death..
The road to abolishing Malawi's death row
Malawi’s Legal Aid volunteers sift through a pile of files of those on death row. They are doing everything they can to abolish the death..
In Malawi when 'Life' gets tough, it gets banned
Saturday night in Blantyre and the drinks are flowing at Mustang Sally’s, a fluorescent bar with a swimming pool centerpiece frequented..
In Malawi when ‘Life’ gets tough, it gets banned
Saturday night in Blantyre and the drinks are flowing at Mustang Sally’s, a fluorescent bar with a swimming pool centerpiece frequented..
Collateral damage: Police report policy delays treatment for accident victims in Malawian emergency rooms
You’ve been in an accident in Malawi – where do you go? If you said the emergency department you could be wrong. A few months ago my..
Miss Real African beauty pageant: A women empowerment controversy
“A real African woman has to be a big, full figured, confident and responsible woman.” This is what pageant coordinator Florence..
Hospital overcrowding a 'time bomb' in Ghana
“This was a time bomb waiting to happen.” That’s what Dr. Philip Amoo had to say after three children died following a bacteria..
Hospital overcrowding a ‘time bomb’ in Ghana
“This was a time bomb waiting to happen.” That’s what Dr. Philip Amoo had to say after three children died following a bacteria..
Teachers in over crowded schools on strike for unpaid ‘double-shift’ wages
LILONGWE, Malawi – Primary schools in Lilongwe are over their capacity. There are not enough classrooms to seat 8,000 or more students..
Not skirting around the issue: Malawian women take on gender norms
Three thousand women were leaping out of their seats and waving their hands in the air amidst a chorus of cheers. A continuous line of..
Justice Adjourned
As the first-ever judiciary strike in Malawi enters its fourth week, the doors to over 200 courts remain closed and justice has generally..
Health & Fuel: A follow up on Malawi’s shortage impact on health services.
The inaccessibility of oil in Malawi causes a considerable slowdown in regard to the overall productivity of the country. While hospitals..
Health & Fuel: A follow up on Malawi’s shortage impact on health services.
The inaccessibility of oil in Malawi causes a considerable slowdown in regard to the overall productivity of the country. While hospitals..
The street vendor’s motto: “Freedom is bought by blood”
Lilongwe street vendors have been headlining Malawi media for quite some time and it doesn’t look like their name will be out of the news..
Developing energy-saving lights and solar lights to improve standard of living in Malawi’s cities and rural areas
“The lights are back on? Lets celebrate!” It’s become the common expression for us after moving to Malawi a couple of weeks ago...
Fueling up without queuing up: Thoughts on the future of social media in Malawi
After three years of living with chronic petrol shortages, most Malawians have developed strategies for fueling up without queuing up...
Fuel hunting in Malawi
“There is fuel in Monkey Bay!” a text message reads. A game of telephone quickly transpires. “Get there quick! No queues! Will be out..
Malawian human rights activists risk their lives for free speech
Depending on your perspective, Rev. Macdonald Sembereka is either a valiant hero or an impenitent villain. To some, he is a human rights..
“It’s God’s will” isn't good enough
The electricity had been out for 24 hours where I was staying in Namiwawa, Blantyre, either due to the heavy seasonal rains or the theft of..
“It’s God’s will” isn’t good enough
The electricity had been out for 24 hours where I was staying in Namiwawa, Blantyre, either due to the heavy seasonal rains or the theft of..
In Malawi, child rape is a tough case
A doctor recently told me he sees an average of 20-25 cases of child sexual abuse a month referred to his hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. I..
Fuel scarcity fuels corruption in Malawi
It’s a Thursday afternoon and the thermometer is about to hit 40 degrees. Taxi driver Mike Msindira, 32, is sweaty, exasperated, but..
Chronic fuel shortages keep Malawians talking
One theme runs through conversations in Malawi more than any other: the topic of fuel – and a lack thereof.
In the fight against malaria, it’s not just about mosquito nets
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced in October that nearly a third of all countries affected by malaria are on the path of..
This mountain I’m climbing down
As I sat in Toronto’s Pearson airport five months ago getting ready to board the first of three flights to Malawi, I got an email..
This mountain I'm climbing down
As I sat in Toronto’s Pearson airport five months ago getting ready to board the first of three flights to Malawi, I got an email..
Food insecurity continues to plague Malawi
Much like kimchi is to Koreans, or tortillas are to Mexicans, nsima is to Malawians. Nsima is a thick, starchy porridge made from corn,..
Dumping grounds fast becoming residential areas – but without the clean-up
By Nina Lex, Timothy Banda, Arthur Cola Mvuta, and Glitter Ndovi A garbage filled river outside Blantyre’s main market. Photo by Nina..
Malawi prepares for climate change
Charcoal producers in rural Malawi understand that their work hurts the environment, but they argue that poverty leaves them little choice..
Dignitas reports a model for progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Malawi
When Montreal’s Dr. James Orbinski visited a hospital in Zomba District, Malawi, in 2004, he was taken back. “It was a living hell,”..
Malawi’s informal economy keeps social security services out of reach
Millions of people in Malawi are employed outside of the formal economy, and often lack social security benefits such as pension plans.
Malawi's informal economy keeps social security services out of reach
Millions of people in Malawi are employed outside of the formal economy, and often lack social security benefits such as pension plans.
The elephant in the room
I started the day by losing my phone. We hadn’t been over the Botswana border 5 minutes when from the back seat of our safari jeep I..
Lake of Stars music festival “the biggest and best so far”
Just last month, the shores of Lake Malawi filled with thousands of barefooted festival-goers from around world as the eighth annual Lake..
Suicide and shame in Malawi
As I walked to work, the headlines of Malawi’s daily papers caught my eye: “Poly Student Commits Suicide.” I stopped mid-step,..
Malawi’s vaccines controversy
The topic of immunization is often controversial – but in Malawi, it can be deadly as parents refuse their children access to vaccines...
Blantyre Market rebuilds with bricks (and a note on negativity)
This simple story of perseverance, self-reliance, and, ultimately, success, isn’t the kind of thing you read about in international..
Just winging it: a Canadian Thanksgiving in Malawi
Thanksgiving is arguably my favourite holiday. My mum roasts a turkey with all the fixings and my dad pours the wine, while my sister and I..
What’s missing in Malawian political cartoons: critical views and a bit of sophistication
Hazwel Kunyenje is a political cartoonist who has spent more than 15 years illustrating articles, editorials and short stories for one of..
What’s yours is mine: property grabbing in Malawi
By Ali Schofield, with contributions from Mphatso Mwanvani, Ivory Kalemera and Clement Msiska Imagine you are a woman whose husband has..
Malawi abandons tobacco for crop diversification (and food security)
This past season, Henry Tambula saw his farm narrowly avoid financial ruin. “I’ve grown tobacco for 25 years,” he said on the..
Big aspirations, small budgets – and disenfranchised mental patients
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health problems are already the fourth leading cause of the global health burden,..
The story behind Malawi Vice President Joyce Banda’s dedication to women’s empowerment
A favourite inspirational story I’ve enjoyed since arriving in southern Africa is that of Malawi’s vice president, Joyce Banda, and..
God’s word in Malawi
In Malawi, God’s word is everywhere. Minibuses have “Fear God” scrolled across their hoods, salons signs are painted with “God is..
Malawi’s economic crunch hits the media hard
Employees of The Daily Times and other BP&P papers have been laid off as Malawi faces economic difficulties.
Malawi street kids work through struggles with HIV and AIDS
Many Malawian children orphaned and HIV-positive struggle to keep themselves on complicated ARV drug regiments without older family members..
From the mouths of Malawians
From my past travel experiences I’ve learned that the best way to ease the stress that culture shock can bring is to first tackle the..
Canadian-African poets proclaim the power of spoken word in southern Africa
On the mainstage at the Bushfire Festival in Ezulwini, Swaziland, Canadian-African spoken word artists D’bi Young and Croc E Moses..
Malawi’s Vice President speaks out about protests
Seated on the porch of her state residence in Blantyre, Malawi’s first female Vice President, Joyce Banda, wraps a thick, white shawl..
Theatre for the common good
Overwhelmed by the heat in her house, a Malawian mother moves the charcoal fire she is cooking on from her kitchen to the yard. Leaving the..
Accidental recycling in Malawi
Take a look around Malawi's Blantyre Market and in nearly every direction, you'll see that people have repurposed and are reusing objects..
For Malawi NGOs, tough times only getting tougher
Today there is a perfect storm working against NGO funding in Malawi.
South African indie makes waves
Text by Sarah Feldbloom South African indie music has rarely crossed the ocean to North America’s mass markets – but the genre is..
South African indie makes waves
Text by Sarah Feldbloom South African indie music has rarely crossed the ocean to North America’s mass markets – but the genre is..
Flash from the past
Behind a set of imposing wooden doors and in a building teeming with antiquity, lies an invaluable collection of historical documents:..
Transforming arms into art in Mozambique
At the world-renowned artist studio Núcleo de Arte in Maputo, Mozambican artist Fiel dos Santos recalls a childhood robbed by military..
Children denied medical treatment in lieu of prayer
By Rhodes Msonkho and Denis Calnan Interpretations of the Bible are keeping some parents in Malawi from accessing medical treatment for..
Transforming arms into art in Mozambique
At the world-renowned artist studio Núcleo de Arte in Maputo, Mozambican artist Fiel dos Santos recalls a childhood robbed by military..
Abuse of police powers exposes ineffectiveness of reform training
By Jane Kaonga and Denis Calnan Maclean Panje scrolls through photos of his nephew, 27-year-old Emmanuel Kafele, on his cell phone. The..
Malawian protesters wanted their say – and didn’t get it
Amid July 20's broken windows, gunshots, and thick plumes of teargas, important issues were lost.
Malawi: reverting back to dictatorial roots?
I arrived in Malawi three weeks ago – just in time to see ‘the warm heart of Africa’ break into chaos. Violent protests swept..
Student radio program debuts on MIJ FM
On July 3, 2011, Neighborhood Watch, a student-run radio show, was proudly launched on MIJ FM in Blantyre. The bilingual (English-Chichewa)..
Books to bucks: Literary culture in Malawi
For Malawian authors and their readers, maintaining a literary culture in Malawi is important. “It’s about the need to revere our own..
Jhr partner Theresa Chapulapula on Malawi’s media clampdown
Text and video by Sarah Berman In January 2011, Malawi amended Section 46 of its penal code to limit freedom of the press. The new..
Jhr partner Theresa Chapulapula on Malawi's media clampdown
Text and video by Sarah Berman In January 2011, Malawi amended Section 46 of its penal code to limit freedom of the press. The new..
MIJ students visit youth rights group
On March 23 2011, five journalism students from the Malawi Institute of Journalism visited a youth center run by Active Youth in Social..
Talent Show for Human Rights
In front of the Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ), two parents prevent their child from going to school. While the child is consumed in..
The birth of Insight: Malawi’s premier human rights program
In January 2011, jhr intern Denis Calnan set off to Malawi for a six-month internship placement at Capital radio in Blantyre. When he..
The birth of Insight: Malawi's premier human rights program
In January 2011, jhr intern Denis Calnan set off to Malawi for a six-month internship placement at Capital radio in Blantyre. When he..
Women in the Star newsroom
Text by Jenny Vaughan, audio by Sarah Feldbloom Female empowerment is a funny thing. You cannot see it, touch it, smell it or hear it. But..