Newsletter, January - April 2025

Adolescent-targeted WASH Intervention Development Workshop Held in Mulanje

From 31st March to 4th April 2025, WASHTED’s NIHR Research Team (Work Strand 4) conducted a five-day workshop in Mulanje focused on advancing the development of behaviour change interventions targeting adolescents. Guided by the COM-B and RANAS frameworks, a team of 13 participants-including the Work Strand Lead-reviewed formative research findings and outcomes from previous co-design workshops which formed the basis of the intervention development work.

The team collaboratively identified key Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) aimed at addressing persistent sanitation and hygiene challenges among adolescents. The result was the creation of four interventions tailored for both in-school and out-of-school adolescents in Mchinji and Blantyre. Next steps include finalizing the intervention designs, planning implementation and monitoring, and sharing with key stakeholders for feedback to ensure relevance, effectiveness and sustainability. Find out more by clicking here

Highlighting Global Research on Plastic Waste: SPACES at Brunel University, London

From March 2nd to 6th, WASHTED representatives from the SPACES project joined researchers from Europe, Asia, and Africa at Brunel University London for the GCRF Plastic Challenge end-of-project workshop. Funded by UKRI-NERC, the event showcased innovative, context-specific solutions to plastic pollution.

WASHTED Marks World Water Day with Research and Advocacy

WASHTED proudly joined the national commemoration of World Water Day, standing alongside key stakeholders in the water sector. The event began with a two-day conference (March 20–21) organized by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation in collaboration with WASAMA. It brought together researchers, development partners, and government officials to share insights and innovations.

Strengthening WASH in Early Childhood Development Centres

Stakeholder Engagement in Focus: Sharing Formative Research Findings in Mchinji and Blantyre 

In the first weeks of February this year, WASHTED and KUHES under the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Adolescent Health & Wellbeing in Malawi engaged stakeholders in Mchinji and Blantyre to share key findings from their formative research. In Mchinji, the team met with the Youth Technical Working Group, comprising officials from Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Police, and NGOs. In Blantyre, findings were shared with district and community-level stakeholders, including Blantyre City Council, PEAs, teachers, chiefs, parents, adolescents, and HSAs.

Stakeholders appreciated the relevance of the findings and offered insightful feedback to inform intervention development. They also applauded the showcased culture of sharing research outputs. These engagements marked an important step in translating research into action and fostering collaborative solutions to improve adolescent health and wellbeing in Malawi.

The NIHR Co-designing workshop, Blantyre

Work Strand 4 of the NIHR Global Research Group began 2025 with co-designing workshops in Blantyre, building on earlier efforts in Mchinji. Stakeholders-including adolescents, parents, teachers, SHN coordinators, and officials-collaboratively tackled key WASH issues. Formative research presented at the start revealed major challenges like low handwashing rates, open defecation, and faeces smearing.

During the two-day workshop, participants co-created solutions, prioritizing three challenges and proposing four main interventions. Adolescents were given space to voice their concerns freely, resulting in unique insights. Stakeholders praised the inclusive approach, with many expressing surprises at issues raised by youth.

“This approach is great… the results are a true reflection as they come from different stakeholders,” noted one NGO partner.

The workshops not only fostered collaboration but also inspired local action, with stakeholders eager to move forward independently. The process underscored the value of community-driven solutions for sustainable WASH improvements.

Citizens Jury Tackles Plastic Pollution in Malawi

WASHTED in collaboration with University of Malawi, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme and University of Stirling convened a Citizens’ Jury in Blantyre on January 28–29, 2025. This aimed at addressing the growing challenges of thin plastic pollution and its impact on public health in Malawi. The event was organized through the Sustainable Plastic Attitudes to benefit Communities and their Environments (SPACES) research project funded by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Find out more by clicking here

 WASHTED team together with partners from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (on 24 January 2025); successfully shared WASH For Everyone (W4E) research project findings with Chiradzulu District Council stakeholders.  

The one-day event held at Bliss and Honey lodge brought together project stakeholders including the WASH For Everyone implementing partners – World Vision and Water for People – along with delegates from the district council including the District Commissioner, Director of Planning and Development, Traditional Authorities and Area Development Committee members. The research findings made it clear that the current CLTS implementation approach is not fully contributing to ending the long-standing sanitation challenges in Malawi, worsened by consequences of extreme weather events, thus challenging actors in sanitation and hygiene to explore alternative strategies.  Find out more by clicking here.

Promoting WASH Excellence: MUBAS Engages WASHTED in First-Year Orientation

Recognizing that good health is paramount for good education, In January this year, WASHTED conducted an educative talk to MUBAS' first-year students on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) tackling issues of proper toilet usage, water safety, waste management, food hygiene, hand hygiene and personal hygiene.

The talk provided the students with foundational knowledge and practical skills to promote better WASH practices, fostering a healthier and more resilient MUBAS community. Find out more by clicking the here

WASHTED-FROM Likuni Phala Distribution Program

WASHTED in collaboration with a Scottish based charity organization - Famine Relief for Orphans in Malawi (FROM) supports children in Chikwawa, Mangochi and Blantyre districts. Specifically, FROM provides Likuni Phala to Community Based Care Centres (CBCC) in Blantyre, Mangochi and Chikwawa Districts while WASHTED provides logistical support for distribution of the food items. A total of 4 CBCCs and one handcuff center reaching out to approximately 500 children with Likuni phala on monthly basis. In the past three months, 60 Likuni Phala 25kgs bags have been distributed in all centers.

Introducing the WASHTED & RSU Lunchtime Seminar Series

WASHTED, in collaboration with the MUBAS Research Support Unit (RSU), is hosting a monthly lunchtime seminar series designed to strengthen research capacity and engagement across the university community.

These hybrid sessions offer a platform for students, early-career researchers, and staff to learn, share ideas, and connect with experts on various research-related topics.

Join us during your lunch hour-whether in person or online-for insightful discussions that promote research excellence at MUBAS. Stay tuned for announcements on upcoming sessions!

Stay Connected with WASH Events and Learning Opportunities

WASHTED and its partners regularly host informative and engaging events focused on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), education, and sustainable development. These sessions bring together practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders from Malawi and beyond to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and explore solutions.

Keep an eye out for upcoming programmes and join us in driving change through dialogue, research, and partnerships!