| Administrative History | Allocations: 1962-93. Programme spending in 1993/94, 1994/95.
The British protectorate of Nyasaland became part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1953. It became self-governing in 1963, independent as Malawi in 1964, and a republic in 1966.
In 1962, at the request of the government of Nyasaland, the Fund sent a representative to investigate child needs in the country. A local branch of the Fund had been in existence since around 1953 (by the names of its members it seems to have been largely or exclusively comprised of members of the British Community). Small grants continued to be made. In 1965, work included a small school feeding scheme, sewing classes for girls, and transport to hospital for children needing physiotherapy. Clothing and dried milk were distributed. By 1967 welfare casework was being organised and sponsorship had stared. In 1968 a thrift shop had been started. In 1970 the Malawi branch which had administered Save the Children (SCF) funds from London was able to state that 'an encouraging feature of the year had been the increasing involvement of Malawians in the work of the Fund, both as employees and as volunteers'. A nutrition advisor was providing demonstrations at hospitals and other centres. By 1974 the Fund was running two small nutrition rehabilitation centres in the south. The salaries of two nurses working in these centres were paid by Australian SCF. One of the centres had been handed over by 1976. By 1979 both had ben handed over. In the second half of 1979 a pilot scheme for STOP Polio campaign began in Malawi. Since that time a major part of SCF's involvement has been with the country's extended programme of immunisation, in association with the health ministry and the WHO. SCF was also providing support for the many Mozambican refugees in the country. A water programme, sanitation advice, flood relief, and a primary care programme in the Mchinji district were also carried out. |