Chauncy Maples

Lake Malawi's Clinic Ship

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is the third largest in Africa, and 9^th largest in the world. The lake is approximately 40,000 years old, about 350 miles long and 50 miles wide, and makes up 20% of the surface of Malawi.

Malawi - The People

Malawi is a peaceful country with a multi-party democracy. It has been independent from Britain since 1964. There is free education for all 6 to 14 year olds.

The main languages are English and Chichewa and the religions are Christian (60%), Muslim (20%) and traditional (20%).

There are 13 million people, of whom more than 50% live in poverty, with an income of less than £200 per year.

Nearly 90% of the labour force is agricultural, growing maize, cassava and chillies. The legal minimum wage is 50p per day.

The under-5 death rate has come down dramatically from 334 per 1,000 live births in 1970 to 111 in 2007 (5:1,000 in UK in 2007). There are 250 doctors in Malawi - one doctor for every 52,000 people (1 doctor per 500 in UK).

Where there are no clinics, the main problems are malaria, dysentery, tuberculosis, measles, HIV/AIDS, infant and maternal mortality and lack of family planning.