Environment and Natural Resources Management

Environment and Natural Resources Management is AYISE’s smallest programme. Few resource providers have shown interest in providing support to Environment and Natural Resources Initiatives.
Initial activities in this area during AYISE’s earlier years were supported by the USAID Shared Project and later by OXFAM GB. Since the phase out of the Oxfam-supported programmes in 2002, AYISE’s environment and natural resources initiatives have survived largely through AYISE’s own input of resources and commitment from within the organisation.
Our specific focus in this area includes:

1. tree planting which involves raising of tree nurseries by Community Natural Resources Committees and planting during the rainy season
2. waste management through city clean-up campaigns and the Green Bin Project commonly known as the Green Thumb Project
3. water harvesting
4. agro-forestry
5. promotion of renewable energy alternatives wherever possible as a way of promoting ‘green lifestyles’ and addressing Malawi’s over-reliance on hydroelectric schemes

AYISE plans to plant many trees on the bare hills near the Bangwe Youth Centre in order to increase beautification of the area, reduce soil erosion, reduce the risk of natural disasters resulting in movement of boulders from the hillside and do our part in addressing climate change.

The Bin Project recently received support from St. Andrew’s International High School and Dulux Paint. This saw 30 bins (green painted drums) planted in strategic areas at the Bangwe Youth Centre and St. Andrew’s International High School, Blantyre. The purpose of the Bin Project is to sensitise the youth and communities at large to the need to keep Malawi clean by throwing litter in the bins.

This project was formulated against the background that people in Malawi generally throw litter anywhere, even if the bin is in close proximity. The overall aim of this localised, pilot project is to see bins placed along all major roads and walkways in townships where this problem is chronic and planted at all marketplaces, schools and meeting grounds.

With regards to water harvesting, AYISE’s vast area of sporting facilities require regular watering. Using treated water from the Blantyre Water Board is expensive, not sustainable and at the same time extremely unethical in view of the scarcity of treated water. It is with this in mind that AYISE would like to build a water reservoir which will collect water falling from the roof of our newly built Resource Centre.

This will then be pumped, using gravity only, to water the green football fields and other necessary places. As has been reflected, very few resource providers have expressed interest in such ventures yet AYISE understands the real importance of such schemes. It is our intention to demonstrate to Malawian society that effective water harvesting can help solve water problems in the domestic setup and for other establishments.This harvested, untreated water can be used for lavatories, cleaning and watering the grass.