Addressing the Challenges Rural Based NGOs Face in Southern Malawi, Africa in Their Endeavor to Provide Sustainable and Empowering Development Work

Abstract

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working in the Phalombe and Mulanje districts of southern Malawi, Africa face many challenges in their endeavor to provide sustainable and empowering development work. These challenges are mainly due to external factors with regard to low literacy levels and a mindset of dependency among the adults with whom the NGOs work with in the field; lack of financial and human resources among NGOs; differing approaches to development work among NGOs; lack of cooperation from duty bearers; unachievable donor expectations; a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS; and unfavorable changes in the climate. This thesis project suggests five recommendations in order to assist NGOs to better address their stated challenges. These recommendations include the creation of new and/or enhancement of existing adult literacy programs, increased advocacy efforts for donor education, increased child participation in development work activities at all levels, the incorporation of social entrepreneurship efforts into the NGOs’ overall development strategy, and the formation of collaborative partnerships amongst NGOs as well as with public and private sector entities.