By Malonje Phiri – MANAD Programs Officer
The Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD) has received vital funding from Save the Children (SCI) through the Strengthening Disability Inclusive Programming in Malawi project to implement an inclusive initiative aimed at supporting Deaf children and their communities in Ntcheu District.
Save the Children has been working in Malawi since 1983, partnering with the government and community stakeholders across various districts. The organization is committed to ensuring that every child learns, survives, and is protected. Over the years, SCI has recognized the persistent marginalization of Deaf children in various spheres of life—including education, health, and community participation. In response, it has begun targeted interventions to ensure that Deaf children are given the same opportunities to thrive as their hearing peers.
The collaboration between MANAD and SCI began in 2023 when SCI supported activities during the International Week of the Deaf in Zomba District. In 2024, the partnership expanded significantly, with MANAD leading sign language training sessions for parents of Deaf children, primary school teachers, and key government officials across five districts: Zomba, Mangochi, Neno, Dedza, and Ntcheu.
Through this initiative 112 parents of Deaf children, 108 teachers, and 15 government officials received sign language training. Additionally, 98 Deaf leaders participated in capacity-building training and received Malawian Sign Language dictionaries—500 copies of which were reprinted through SCI support.
This intervention complements ongoing efforts by the Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD), which supported the formation of parent support groups in districts such as Blantyre, Phalombe, Mwanza, Salima, Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay, Mangochi, and Balaka.
Consistent with its mission, Save the Children puts children at the heart of its work—listening to them, their families, and communities to better understand their unique challenges and needs. By partnering with organizations like MANAD, SCI is working to remove barriers and develop inclusive, locally informed solutions.
Following the success of past initiatives, SCI has launched a new six-month project in partnership with MANAD, set to conclude by the end of this year. The project focuses on promoting inclusion and improving communication for Deaf children and their communities through key activities such as sign language training for parents and teachers in rural areas, community awareness and mobilization around Deaf issues, and sign language sensitization sessions for frontline service providers, including health workers, police officers, and magistrates.
Zakeyu Mwase, Project Coordinator for the Strengthening Disability Inclusive Programming in Malawi project at Save the Children, emphasized the importance of such partnerships:
“This initiative reflects our commitment to inclusive development that leaves no child behind. Deaf children face unique communication barriers that often go unaddressed. Through this collaboration with MANAD, we are taking concrete steps to equip families, teachers, and service providers with the skills and knowledge needed to create a more inclusive and supportive environment,” Mwase said.
As part of this year’s project, MANAD will organize the 2025 International Week for the Deaf in Ntcheu. The event will feature an Open Day to raise awareness and promote Deaf inclusion, with the “Community Awareness and Mobilization” activity forming a central part of the program.
The news has been met with enthusiasm by the Deaf community in Ntcheu. Vanessa Kazembe, Treasurer of the MANAD Ntcheu Branch and a Sign Language Instructor, expressed her excitement;
“We are happy to have this project implemented in our district. Hosting the International Week for the Deaf is a blessing. We are grateful to SCI and MANAD for considering us. This support empowers us to do more, especially given our past challenges with limited resources,” said Kazembe.
This initiative marks a meaningful step toward inclusive development in Malawi. It shows what can be achieved when development partners truly listen to marginalized voices and respond with action. The partnership between Save the Children and MANAD is not only transforming the lives of Deaf children and their families—it is fostering broader awareness and systemic change. With continued collaboration, Malawi moves closer to becoming a society where every child, regardless of ability, is seen, heard, and given the opportunity to thrive.
