Umoyo Trust at the 2009 Malawi National Book Fair - October 2009

It has been an exciting weekend for Umoyo Trust. For the first time we have participated in the national books exhibition, that took place at the Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre. More than 20 different publishers and booksellers from all corners of Malawi came to present their publications. Just to mention few: Kachere Series and WASI Publications from Zomba, Maneno Bookshop and Longman from Lilongwe, Bookland International (Macmillan), Dzuka publishers, Popular Publications and Anglia Book Distributors from Blantyre.

The deputy minister of education Mrs. Otilia Jere herself honoured the event to signify the importance andnecessity of book industry forthe development of the country which is in desperate need for quality education and promotion of literature.

At this special occasion Umoyo Trust has partnered with another peopleprofiting organisation the Gift of the Givers Foundation to promote Pamene Palibe Dokotala, the Chichewa version of the world-acclaimed Where There Is No Doctor. The Gift of the Givers Foundation has donated 200 bottles of their popular Sibusiso nutritional supplement to be given out to people together with our books.

We believe that good health is the right for all, no matter the social or economic status, the geographical location or gender. Our publications translated into a local language reach everyone. In the country where there is an acute shortage of doctors and well equipped health facilities our empowering books provide the most needed information leading to health and well-being.

The World Bank sponsors our new upcoming book for women and girls in Chichewa - July 2009

Umoyo Trust became one of the thirteen chosen organisations to successfully bid for funding under the World Bank’s 2009 Civil Society Funds. In total two hundred and sixty organizations applied for this funding.

The World Bank’s grant of USD 5,000 will help Umoyo Trust to produce the Chichewa version of Where Women Have No Doctor, the empowering healthcare guide for unprivileged women and girls published by Hesperian Foundation.

This project aims to empower and educate unprivileged women and girls living in Malawi regarding their health and human rights; enhance their access to and quality of healthcare including counselling for women and girls by producing anddisseminating the Pamene Amayi Alibe Dokotala to women, women groups, girls in schools, community-based workers, community activists, traditional birth attendants and those involved in primary health-care delivery.

Hesperian Where Woman Have no Doctor, a user-friendly, easy-to-understand, healthcare guide for women and girls, combines self-help medical information with an understanding of the ways poverty, discrimination and cultural beliefs limit women's health and access to care. The book covers issues such as health problems of women; HIV/AIDS; sexually transmitted diseases; sexual health; family planning; pregnancy and safe delivery; abortion; gender-based violence, abuse and rape; environmental health and women’s rights.

Umoyo Trust celebrates Hesperian Foundation grant for a new book in Chichewa.
January - 2009


Umoyo Trust received USD 7,500 from the Hesperian Foundation to produce the Chichewa translation of Hesperian new visionary book  A Community Guide to Environmental Health.

This highly illustrated guide helps health promoters, development workers, environmental activists, community members and leaders take charge of their environmental health. A Community Guide to Environmental Health provides the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to begin transforming the crisis in environmental health.

The book covers topics including: restoring land, planting trees, hygiene and sanitation, malaria prevention, food security, sustainable farming, environmental health at home, human and health care waste, building and maintenance of latrines and boreholes, prevention and reduction of harm from toxic pollution, mining, oil and energy production.

The quality of environment is one of the most important contributors to health and well-being. In Malawi poor environment condition, deforestation, neglected hygiene and sanitation are a serious problem. The Chichewa Edition of A Community Guide to Environmental Health will provide user-friendly and easy-to-understand information on environmental health at the most convenient time. The guide will increase the knowledge of unprivileged people living in Malawi about the risks, causes and solutions of environmental issues and will empower them to take actions to improve their lives together.

Hesperian Foundation is world renowned for writing and illustrating reliable health manuals that enable people with minimal formal education not only to diagnose, treat and prevent most common health problems, but also organize to change the social causes of poor health.

To learn more about A Community Guide to Environmental Health click here.

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