Malawi

Hope Builders Ministries - Malawi

Malawi is known as the "Warm heart of Africa", a well earned reputation due to the kindness of their people and how they welcome strangers. The name, Malawi, in Chichewa, the local language, means flames or fire, which is related to the incredibly breathtaking sunsets and sunrises over Lake Malawi.

This little country is one of the most densely populated countries on the African continent. With a population of 194 inhabitants per sq km to the continent of 42 per sq km, Malawi faces several social problems including poverty, where 50% of the population lives under the poverty line, and a high HIV/AIDS infection rate. Malawi is also prone to flooding from continuous and heavy rainfalls, which makes the most vulnerable of the population – those living in rural areas and whose livelihoods are based off of sustenance farming – all the more susceptible to extreme hunger.

Malawi adds over 400,000 people each year to its population and despite many organizations working in the country, the greatest need for the future of Malawi and its people is the advancing of the Gospel and the making of disciples. HBM is committed to supporting the local church through the equipping of the saints for their good works. It is only the power of the Gospel that will change the lives of Malawians and provide eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Population

19,129,152 (2020)
Median Age: 18.1 years

Christian

The main religions are Christianity and Islam. There are no accurate estimates on the religious affiliation of Malawi's population, but it is estimated that 68% of the country is Christian .

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy: 65.62
Infant Mortality: 32.6 / 1,000
Deaths Under Age 5: 43.7 / 1,000

Other Religions

Protestant 33.5% (includes Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 14.2%, Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist 9.4%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 2.3%), Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%, other 5.6%, none 2.1% (2018 est.)

Demographics

From the late 15th to the 18th centuries, a prosperous Kingdom of Maravi - from which the name Malawi derives - extended its reach into what are now areas of Zambia and Mozambique. British missionary and trading activity increased in the area around Lake Malawi in the second half of the 19th century. In 1889, a British Central African Protectorate was established, which was renamed Nyasaland in 1907, and which became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA, the country held multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year.

Economy

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The country’s economic performance has historically been constrained by policy inconsistency, macroeconomic instability, poor infrastructure, rampant corruption, high population growth, and poor health and education outcomes that limit labor productivity. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 80% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, although Malawi is looking to diversify away from tobacco to other cash crops.

Equipping

Equip the whole church to do the work of the ministry, building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12

Empowering

Paul said, "And what you have heard from me...commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2

Encouraging

"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Learn more about Hope Builders Ministries' focus on the Three Es on the home page.

Advance the Gospel in Malawi

One of the poorest countries in the world with a 75% in name Christian population. The need for bible trained leaders is a priority. Equipping faithful pastors to disciples others and their churches is the HBM strategy to rapidly saturate entire communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As the local church grows, it reaches out to the whole community and surrounding communities with the precious Name of Jesus.

Be a Hope Builder in Malawi