PROJECT TITLE: STAY SAFE MALAWI

Empowering the Next Generation with Disaster Preparedness
Malawi is no stranger to the impact of natural disasters, and with climate change increasing their frequency, preparing children to manage such events has never been more critical. In response, Stay Safe Malawi was born—a collaboration between Health Songs International, UNDP, and the Malawi Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA)—designed to equip children with life-saving knowledge and resilience in the face of disaster.
 

Learning From Malawi’s Youth
Over the course of a month, the research team traveled across Malawi, interviewing key informants and engaging with children through focus groups. Their goal was to uncover how children experience disasters and the most effective ways to teach them preparedness. The results were clear: Malawian children learn best through dynamic, engaging activities such as songs, dances, and dramas.
As a result of our research, it was agreed that both a board game and gamified flashcards would provide a dynamic and effective way for children to learn about Disaster Risk Management.
 

Bringing Disaster Preparedness to Life

The Giant Board Game
Measuring 1000mm x 1400mm and crafted from durable, waterproof banner material, this giant board game brought disaster preparedness to life in classrooms. Children competed in teams to represent essential disaster safety knowledge through dance, song, and drama, making learning fun and memorable.
 

Interactive Gamified Flashcards
Complementing the board game were 24 gamified flashcards, each showcasing a disaster scenario with four relatable Malawian child characters. On the reverse side of each card, teachers found useful game ideas and easy-to-follow instructions, allowing for a smooth, low-preparation teaching experience.
 

Tested and Proven to Work
The Stay Safe Malawi program adhered to Accelerated Learning Principles, ensuring the content was accessible and impactful. Testing by DoDMA and UNDP officials showed an outstanding result: 100% retention of the disaster preparedness information.

In total, 3,000 games and 3,000 sets of flashcards were sent to Malawi for distribution to reach children both in and out of school. With these tools, Stay Safe Malawi will equip the next generation with 24 essential disaster preparedness strategies, empowering them to protect themselves, their families, and their communities during times of crisis.