Our program participants are hand selected with the help of village chiefs and teachers. We identify the most vulnerable and impoverished children and households, visit the children and their families, and assess their interest, motivation, and living conditions. Once the children are enrolled, we conduct a monthly review of their academic progress.

How We Work

Early childhood education is uncommon in Malawi. Research shows that preschool attendance leads to better academic outcomes for children. Children ages 2–4 years receive our services and support with:

  • Daily breakfast and lunch

  • Lessons in language arts and math taught in Chichewa language and English

  • Songs, games, playtime activities, and social skills development

  • Hygiene awareness and access to showers

  • Tree planting and environmental awareness

Preschool

Comprehensive Childcare

Children living in rural villages face many challenges to experiencing academic success. Lack of electricity and demands on their time to meet the day-to-day household needs of their families, make it difficult to study. Our Comprehensive Childcare program provides elementary and middle school aged children with the activities and support needed for success including:

  • Daily tutoring and academic enrichment and support

  • School supplies and uniforms

  • Meals

  • Hygiene awareness and supplies

  • Access to showers

  • Trade skills training in sewing, farming, and cooking

  • Vocational field trips to government institutions, banks, and other places of future employment

Girls High School Education

While elementary and middle school education is free in Malawi, families must pay for tuition, uniforms, and school supplies for children to attend high school. When resources are limited, families prioritize the education of sons over daughters. Agape Farmhands ensures 45 girls receive a high school education and support for long term success with the following:

  • School tuition, uniforms, supplies, shoes, and related expenses, e.g. exam fees

  • Tutoring

  • On-site lodging (accommodating 1/3 of girls)

  • Meals

  • Sanitary and hygiene products to ensure they do not miss school

  • Counseling on early marriage, unplanned pregnancies, mental health issues

  • Career guidance and vocational field trips

Women’s and Men’s Groups

The involvement of parents and community leaders is crucial to our mission. While the women and men benefit from the groups’ activities, describe below, they also function as community liaisons to help engage other villagers and provide feedback on our programs.

Two women’s groups meet weekly in a supportive environment to receive:

  • Strengths-based workshops to address inter-personal, social, economic, health, and nutritional needs

  • Entrepreneurship, business, and money management training

  • Home management and agricultural skills

  • Mutual support

  • Meals

A men’s group meets weekly to address the issues described above as well as to support each other in their roles as fathers and husbands.

Community Outreach & Engagement

To create awareness of our programs in local villages and build relationships with community leaders and chiefs, we carry out the following activities:

  • Health education workshops

  • Adult literacy classes

  • Farming and environmental workshops

  • Weekly day-camp open to all village children

  • Family planning awareness

  • Best student awards

  • Girls’ education awareness workshops

  • Children’s rights advocacy

Staple Food Cultivation

The animals and crops that are raised on Agape Farm help feed the staff, children, and adults, who participate in the programs. The proceeds from the sale of excess crops and animals are reinvested in the Farm.

Animal Husbandry

  • Goats | Chickens (broiler and egg-laying) | Quails

Large Crop Production

  • Bananas | Maize

  • Vegetable Garden

  • Tomatoes | Eggplants | Cabbage | Onions

  • Soybeans | Ground nuts