Six months after its start, TECS program is already having a major and positive impact on the communities in Ngala (Dowa district). Several projects are ahead of schedule.

1) Food security and Agro-forestry
Total Land Care (TLC) is the NGO in charge of this part of the TECS program. Food insecurity has been a major problem in Malawi over the past years as well as in several other Sub-Saharan countries. 29 treadle pumps have been distributed to selected farmers, who have thus been able to increase and diversify food crop production. The treadle pumps are provided in a scheme of revolving fund: it provides credit to the farmers in order to pay for the pumps. The money reimbursed will enable other farmers to be granted a loan to purchase another pump. This has a multiplying effect that should benefit to the whole community. With improved food security for their households, farmers will find it easier to send their children to school, thus reducing child labour in the tobacco fields. Also, food security will help improve the nutrition of these children.

Example of maize grown without treadle pump irrigation	Treadle pump	Field irrigation by treadle pump	Example of maize grown with treadle pump irrigation (same location)

The other project developed by TLC aims at improving the use and management of natural resources by re-forestation. Tens of thousands of tree seedlings have already been grown in various tree nurseries. Tree planting will slow down the soil erosion and will alleviate the burden, often left to children, of fetching wood farther and farther away from their homes. Attendance at school should improve.

   Tree seedlings have been planted

2) Water and Sanitation
Nkhoma Synod is the NGO in charge of this part of TECS program. 10 topped shallow wells have been built, thus providing clean and drinkable water to the villagers. Full ownership of the wells has been passed to the communities which have established wells' maintenance committees. Cleaner water which is at the disposal of villagers close to their homes will improve the overall health conditions of the communities, and spare children the chore of fetching water, which is a task that they are often encumbered with.

   The construction of a topped shallow well is completed

3) School and Education
Creative Center for Community Mobilisation (CRECCOM) is in charge of mobilising the village communities for them to develop their own strategies on how to fight against child labour. Improving access and quality of education is a major aspect of the strategy. The mobilisation has started by organising workshops, drama theater plays with farmers and their children, teachers, traditional leaders and local governmental representatives. Villagers have already built bricks on their own and without external support for the rehabilitation of the school. CRECCOM/TECS will contribute cement and roofing.

Villagers have already made bricks for the school	School to be rehabilitated	School to be rehabilitated	Meetings with the communities

Geneva, 20 December 2002