Centre for Social Concern
Social Conditions:
A. Urban Basic Needs Basket (UBNB):
This project which is under the Social Conditions Research Programme of the Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) focuses on researching every month into the cost of living for people living in Malawi’s medium and high-density urban areas. Currently the monthly surveys are done in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, Zomba, Mangochi and Karonga. The Basic Needs Basket (BNB) includes both essential food items such as maize, beans, vegetables, potatoes and cooking oil, and non-food items such as utility bills, housing (rent), charcoal, bathing soap and washing soap, required for an average family of six, to acquire a minimum standard of living per month.
B. Rural Basic Needs Basket Project:
The Rural Basic Needs Basket (RBNB) is the 2nd project under the Social Conditions Research Programme of the Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) and focuses on researching into the cost of living for people in Malawi living in rural areas. These data are collected quarterly in the rural areas. Food consumption tables are used to calculate the number of calories consumed by individual household members in a month. This figure is then compared with the calories of 2400 kilocalories per person per day recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Inter-Religious Dialogue:
This programme is one of the major CfSC pillars which strives to promote tolerance, mutual understanding and respect among ethno-religious and political groups in the light of the catholic social teaching (CST). The overall objective of this project is to increase religious tolerance leading to peaceful co-existence through dialogue among people who come from different backgrounds in selected districts in Malawi.
Economic Justice:
This programme looks at the national and international factors contributing to the persistent poverty in Malawi. It monitors the spending of funds made available through debt cancellation, loans and other foreign aid programmes. It also promotes tax justice through studying the present tax system and proposing a more equitable way, where the stronger shoulders carry the bigger burden. This pillar focuses on public finance management, good governance, fair taxation, development and implementation of pro-poor policies, public debt management, market systems and civic engagements, among others.
Computer Laboratory:
The Centre for Social Concern has a computer laboratory which was started in 2021 with funds from the Washington Project. During the year of 2022, this laboratory received and trained students in basic computer knowledge (Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel). Since its inception from January 2022 to May 2024 one hundred and twenty-two students (122) students have been trained so far. We are aiming at giving them the real knowledge on how to operate the computer own their own.
Library:
The Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) has a library which is used by most of the students living around Area 25, Kanengo. This library has been serving this community since its establishment in 2002. There are 14 secondary schools in this area, yet only two of these schools have libraries. Our objective is to assist the people surrounding the Centre with both a serene environment and access to good and essential reading materials. Our library has a positive impact on students’ achievement. There is also a section of the library, named after Bishop Kalilombe M. Afr. as most, if not all books, were offered by him.
Fr. James Damas Ngahy,
Executive Director.
