The Zomba KIDZ Project began in 2006 as part of Saanich’s Centennial celebrations. The project, undertaken by the 1,100 employees of Saanich, was launched in an effort to look outward and acknowledge our place in the world.

Saanich has had a relationship with Zomba, Malawi since 1988 when a municipal exchange was organized through the FCM. The Saanich Employees’ Centennial Project committee decided to direct its international development project to Zomba, and strengthen our relationship with this African community.

In finding a project in the Zomba region, Saanich was able to partner with Chancellor College, a campus of the University of Malawi situated in Zomba. In 2006, the college’s Home Economics Department had just begun an outreach project in Magalasi in early childhood development. Chancellor College, which has a relationship with the University of Victoria, wanted to use Magalasi as a learning laboratory for its students.

Through Chancellor College, Saanich had found a way to have a project delivered on the ground with local expertise. The project needed funds, and we needed a project. Zomba KIDZ was born!

Magalasi is a small rural village within the region of Zomba in Malawi. Like many sub-Saharan countries, Magalasi is experiencing severe poverty, famine and has been devastated by HIV/AIDS. Many children are orphaned and are either heading families or have been absorbed in with extended family members or other tribal families. The pressure on surviving adults and on these children for basic survival - food, shelter, water - is tremendous. Education and basic health care are often out of the question.

Through the Zomba KIDZ Project we are focusing our attention on early childhood development and community initiatives. By investing in the children of Zomba, we hope to provide some small measure of hope for the future, in a community that so desperately needs our help.