Malawi is a landlocked country in sub-Saharan Africa. It borders Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia.

The country is 901km long and it has a population of 15 million, approximately 90% of which live in rural areas.

It has a warm, tropical climate that is heavily influenced by altitude and the dominance of Lake Malawi, which comprises 1/5 of the country's land area.

Agricultural produce dominates Malawi's exports. Tobacco accounted for over 60% of exports in 2006 followed by tea (7%) and sugar (6%). Other key exports include textiles (5%), cotton fabrics (2%) and edible nuts (2%). The country is largely self-sufficient for food and the population is mostly employed in small-scale farming.

Malawi was under British rule from 1891 until 1964.

In 1994, the country became a multi-party state and introduced:

• Free primary school education 
• A free market economy
• A bill of rights
• A parliament with three main parties

Malawi remains one of the poorest countries in the world with a GDP per capita of US$160. It is ranked 165th out of 177 countries in the UN Human Development Report.

An estimated 52% of the population are living below the poverty line.

Life expectancy dropped from 45 years old in 1990 to 38 years old in 2005. It is expected to drop rapidly in the future, due to the HIV & AIDS pandemic. Exact figures for the HIV infection rate are difficult to estimate, but recent surveys indicate that 12% of women and men aged 15-49 in Malawi are currently living with HIV.

Malaria is a major problem in Malawi. It is the leading cause of mortality, especially among children under the age of five years and pregnant women.

In terms of malnutrition, the proportion of children who are under-weight is more than 12 times the level expected in a healthy well-nourished population. In addition, the proportion of children who were found to be stunted (too short for their age) is 25 times the level expected in a European population.

Malawi is divided into districts which are subdivided into Traditional Authorities (TAs), presided over by chiefs. Traditional Authorities are composed of villages which are run by village headmen/women.

Temwa is operating in the northern district of Nkhata Bay in the isolated rural area called Usisya under the Traditional Authority of Chief M’Bwana.