Where we work

We have a work history of over 25 years in India and Zimbabwe with offices and local staff based there. Whilst no longer formally part of Find Your Feet UK, having become an independent NGO in 2016, we are thrilled to see how the work of Find Your Feet Malawi has continued to develop, and support them financially on some of their projects.

Our choice of where we work is based on an assessment of the needs of the community and the local context, with a conviction that our expertise and experience is appropriate to enable people to realise their own aspirations.

One thing that unites the rural communities we work with is their desire to build a better future free from hunger, poverty and discrimination. 

India 

The growing prosperity of India masks the obstacles that rural people face. The disparity between the urban and rural populations makes it hard to believe they are citizens of the same country. As of 2011, 23% of the population survives on less than £1.40 ($1.90) a day with a disproportionate number living in rural areas where hunger is always present (World Bank, 2011).

In the areas where we work there is limited infrastructure and few basic services. Communities are isolated and lack electricity, sanitation and clean water, and struggle to grow enough food for the whole family. 

Malawi

Malawi continues to be one of the poorest countries in the world with 69% of the population subsisting on less than £1.40 ($1.90) a day, as of 2016 (World Bank, 2016). Furthermore, 83% of the population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for survival (World Bank, 2019).

Farmers face many challenges, such as lack of access to irrigation, an over reliance on expensive fertilisers and erratic weather conditions. Millions of families continue to suffer from chronic hunger and, in the north of the country where Find Your Feet Malawi works, over half of the families do not have enough food all year round.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe continues to be one of the poorest countries in the world; ravaged by the HIV and AIDS pandemic, failed governance and violence which has destroyed the social fabric of rural society. In 2019, 40% of the population lived on less than £1.40 ($1.90) per day (World Bank, 2019).

In the districts where we work, most families depend on agriculture but suffer from severe food insecurity and malnutrition. Our pioneering work in Malawi provides us with the experience and knowledge of sustainable agriculture to make an impact on the lives of families in Zimbabwe.

Sources: 

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY?locations=MW-IN-ZW

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS?locations=MW