Empowering Communities to become Self-reliant

Self-reliance was the hallmark of Malawians for most of the country’s history. Our forefathers had high self-reliance skills to overcome natural and man-made calamities. Only in the last few years, particularly since the mid-1990’s, have Malawians slipped into the complacent position of letting someone else take care of them. From political leaders, government and civil society organizations to private organizations and individuals, many Malawians have been led down the path of expecting others to take care of them and even do their thinking. This path is not sustainable and is not owned by the people.

A Reach Out and Touch event was held on 31st October 2024, where we promoted Art as a viable career path for students at Adziwa Christian School

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Programs

HEART

The HEART of Dzidalire Foundation focuses on these particular areas:

Health

Consultations with traditional leaders indicated that the community in the locale confronts problems in areas of provision of potable water and sanitation, child survival, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and nutrition. To mitigate sanitation related disease, Dzidalire, with support from Malawi Project, has already sunk a borehole that has been operating for over 5 years in the community. Additionally, Dzidalire aims to support maternal and under-5 health through its upcoming maternity health centre.

Education

Through the upcoming maternity health centre, Dzidalire aims to educate mothers in family nutrition (for under-fives, adolescents, adults, and the elderly), and sanitation. Through Dzidalire farm, we aim to educate the community in permaculture and more sustainable ways of farming. We also aim to conduct trainings in diversifying income streams for members of the local community.

Agriculture

We have one primary aim: sustainability. "The landscape is a mixture of grassland with granite outcrops, natural woodland and commercial pine plantations on the mountains and some bamboo forest nearer the lake."- This used to be the description of Dedza 20 years ago. Unfortunately, outside of reserved areas, the land is now bare. Dzidalire has, over the past 15 years, planted 30,000 pine trees on the hills at Dzidalire Foundation. This story of success only bolsters us now to organise better, civic educate more intentionally, and reforest more assertively. Secondly, there has been an over emphasis on fertilizer usage countrywide over the past 3 decades, which has devastated natural soil nutrition cycles and created an unsustainable reliance on commercial fertiliser. Through Dzidalire farm, we aim to promote more sustainable farming practices - chiefly permaculture and agroforestry through mind-set change, civic education, and hands-on trainings.

R’t

R’t or Arts are an integral part of Malawian culture, whether through dance, music, theatre, fine arts, sculpture, architecture and so on. Art has been the biggest way in which Malawians have communicated, passed on tradition, preserved culture, and effected change. As seen at the Chongoni rock art sites, which date back to the early Iron Age, art is an integral part of the culture of the Chewa people of Linthipe 3. At Dzidalire, we aim to not only promote local art in all its forms, but to celebrate it through: showcasing it in our projects; providing relevant platforms during our various activities; sponsoring local artists on to larger platforms beyond the locale; and generally expanding the reach of local arts.

Tourism

Being in the home of the "richest concentration of rock art in Central Africa" according to UNESCO, Dzidalire Foundation is currently involved in the preservation, promoting, and showcasing of Chongoni rock art.

Its Meaning

In Chichewa, “dzidalire” means “self-reliance”. “Zida” translates to “tools” or “items used for work.” Our ware is designed to embody the spirit of being both the tools and the workers of our land. Through our projects, we celebrate and remind ourselves of the strength and resilience within us all.

"Amazing Initiative and Quality Work!"

Dzidalire is very inspiring and draw artists to their mission and destiny. What makes it so effective is that it fits seamlessly with most African Artist’s values: Innovation, Being the best you can be, Believing to move the world to another level.