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Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (SURCOD)

SURCOD operates mainly in Nsanje and Chikhwawa Districts in the south of Malawi.

Malawi is a small, landlocked country in southern Africa, neighboured by Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania.

It is one of the poorest countries in the world. Most of its 11 million people live in rural areas, where population density is high and water-related diseases and HIV/AIDS are widespread.

Malawi has recently lost aid from Britain and Germany after expressing concerns about poor governance in the country.

Chididi is a small mountain community. However, the beauty of the area is marred by poverty.

Most of the population are subsistence farmers. Many of the women have no paid work. Some are widows with extended families and some are living positively with HIV.

Gender-based violence is common because of cultural traditions. Upon marriage a wife leaves her home and roots to join the husband's family. Women are regarded as powerless, and the culture fuels gender based violence because it encourages silence from women and girls.

SURCOD empowers the women of Chididi through a savings scheme project, working closely with government departments.

SURCOD also works closely with local traditional leaders to raise the status of women and help change ingrained cultural attitudes.

SURCOD advocates against forced marriage and child labour, in collaboration with local schools and other NGOs.

SURCOD is a member of CONGOMA (Council of Non Governmental Organisations in Malawi).

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SURCOD: SafeWorld Field Partner in Malawi

The Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (SURCOD) works at the forefront of advancing empowerment of women and girls through various development projects in Malawi.

Projects include helping disdvantaged boys and girls access secondary education and developing women's community enterprises.

Location and Team

SURCOD (Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation) operates mainly in Nsanje and Chikhwawa Districts in the south of Malawi. Both Chikwawa and Nsanje lie along the Shire River. Floods and droughts are very common and the region is affected by poverty. Read more.

Map of Chididi

Contact Us

January Watchman Mvula, Exec Director
Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (Surcod)
P.O. Box 45
Chididi, Nsanje
MALAWI

Phone: +265888745752
Email Us

Website

Support SURCOD on Facebook

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Women in Malawi

Malawian women have a long history of forming and participating in organisations such as saving-clubs, church groups, entrepreneurial clubs, arts and crafts groups and the like.

They are eager to engage in public life and improve their prospects for political inclusion.

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However, the recent postponement of the local elections is a huge blow to the work being done by the Malawi Women’s Lobby which has been…

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Surcod Appeal Button

"We believe that by reaching a woman we are reaching a nation because we know the big role the women are playing in the society.

If we are reaching the woman we are reaching the husband and all the children in the family"

For most of these women even to raise 1 dollar is a very big challenge.

With tools such as sewing machines, the women can learn a skill which can provide them with a steady income and contribute to their ability to save.

Such skills and tools would have a very big impact on their lives. They would be able to easily pass on such skills to their children.

The programme could be rolled out into other areas where we are in the process of establishing our organisation..

And it will create a bond between donors and the communities."

January Watchman, Executive Director, SURCOD.

SURCOD photos - International Women's Day

SURCOD-IWD