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About Malawi Malawi is a landlocked country in the south of the East African rift valley. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Mozambique to the south and east and Tanzania to the north. Over 20% of the country is occupied by Lake Malawi. The lake is not only an important source of food and fresh water, but also serves as a means of communication and as a tourist attraction.
85% of the population lives in the rural areas. Most houses in the rural area are made of poles, mud and thatched roofs. However, sun-dried bricks are beginning to replace mud houses. About 65% of the population lives below the poverty line (defined as 16 US cents per day).
The agricultural sector employs 85% of Malawi's labour force and accounts for 90% of its export earnings. Most Malawians are subsistence farmers who grow maize, sorghum, cassava, rice, cotton, tobacco and legumes like beans, pigeon peas and groundnuts.
Although the current government is working hard to increase levels of school enrolment, overall rates remain low. As it stands, less than 1% of children under five years of age attend pre-school, and primary enrolment is only at 53%.
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