Stakeholders involved : 

[1] Traditional Chiefs  [2] Faith Leaders  [3] Youth Organizations

Partners Involved: Access agriculture [reference; vinjeru@accessagriculture,org]
Target Group: Children and youth in charcoal camps around Machinga Mountain
Number of Participants: 33 male, 19 female. 52 in total

Direct Impacted Population: 52
Indirect Impacted Population: 250

Objectives Attained:

• Empowered the local leaders on their roles in protecting natural resources in their  communities
• The local leaders, the children and youth reflected the devastating consequences of  their ‘suicidal’ actions on their life, future and the ecosystem in whole
• The participants were able to set restoration actions to be carried out together with our support

Benefits of the program 

• Ignite mindset change in people in the charcoal camps around machinga mountain
• Help one another discover alternative sustainable socio-economic activities worth  adopting other than their unpopular wood and charcoal deals

A brief description of the project and area

The reported project was carried out in the charcoal camps in mkanga village in the foot  of machinga mountain. This area was chosen looking at the fact that most of the time,  remote areas are deprived of information and services as many climate activists do not  go after such outreaches with an excuse of ‘hard to reach’. In that way, resources are  plundered in the watch.

Machinga mountain is the major charcoal supplier for the two neighboring cities of  Blantyre and Zomba. When one visits this area, their attention is quickly caught by the  many huts that make one big charcoal camp. Because charcoal deals are illegal, most  charcoal activities are done by children who are used as scapegoats. That is how the  innocent children miss their life-time opportunity of school.

[Machinga mountain in the background of the picture. The once rich mountain now  mercilessly razored for charcoal and wood]

The highlights of the cinema show:

Conclusion

The activity was successful. The participants vowed to take part in restoration projects.  The progress of these actions will be reported in the coming weeks