Community Youth in Development Activities (COYIDA)

Mzimba, Malawi
In partnership with Methodist Relief and Development Fund

COYIDA is a local NGO formed in December 2002 in response to increased number of AIDS affected Orphans and high mortality rate associated with HIV and AIDS. The Organization has special focus on improving the rural and urban poor livelihoods through the provision of improved environmental health services.

Our mission is to “facilitate empowerment of local communities especially youths and children in realization of improved living standards and achievement of socio-economic development. Some of COYIDA’s projects include:

Food & Nutrition Security: Provision of farm inputs to people living with HIV/AIDS support groups; provision of grants to PLWHIV support groups for income generation; training support groups in food processing & improved farming techniques and linking groups to other service providers in the agricultural sector.
Water & Sanitation: Construction and installation of water pumps on shallow wells; Supporting formation and training of water point committees and Village Mechanics; Providing IEC on proper hygiene and sanitation; supporting formation of women forums for mother to mother learning
Gender and Child protection: Supporting formation of women forums for community based activism; advocacy on power relations between men and women; supporting establishment of children corners; school bursary for OVCs; community mobilization meetings on gender and child rights
Sexual Reproductive Health: Training of community groups and service providers so that they can assist in referral making, IEC on family planning & distribution of condoms, promoting SRH as a right.