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A journey of a 1000 miles begins with the first step: this is the beginning.

NIHR-GHRG Steering Group Meeting 2025

The NIHR-GHRG Steering Group Meeting 2025 brought together researchers, policymakers, and institutional partners in Blantyre to reflect on progress, share insights, and shape the next phase of work to improve adolescent health and wellbeing in Malawi. With presentations across six Work Strands and leadership from key ministries, the meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to youth-centred, evidence-driven impact.

It’s not just a process! Co-designing workshops also strengthens Mental Health

“It’s Not Just a Process: Co-Designing WASH Interventions Also Strengthens Mental Health”

During Mental Health Awareness Week, NIHR-GHRG Work Strand 4 (WASH and Adolescent Health) reflects on how community-led co-design workshops have supported more than just sanitation solutions – they’ve nurtured adolescent mental wellbeing.

By bringing together adolescents, parents, teachers, health workers, and local leaders to collaboratively design interventions, we created safe, inclusive spaces where young people felt heard and valued. Discussions around menstruation, bullying, and hygiene facilities became gateways for building trust, empathy, and dignity—key pillars of mental health.

This experience reinforces a vital truth: community-driven participation isn’t just about solving problems – it’s a powerful act of collective care.

Listening Differently: WS6 Trains for Child-Centred Research on Adolescent Wellbeing in Blantyre

The Team researching on Inspiring Adolescent Wellbeing (WS6) recently completed a week-long training in Blantyre, Malawi, preparing researchers to explore how adolescents aged 10–14 perceive their social and emotional wellbeing. The training focused on ethical research practices, adapting tools into Chichewa, and using innovative storytelling methods to engage young participants. This participatory and narrative-driven approach aims to create a safe, child-centred environment where adolescents can share what truly matters to them.

Co-Designing of Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Interventions Continues in Blantyre City

“I have liked this meeting because it was safe. There was not that this one is old, and this one is young. We were all doing things as one.” (Male adolescent attendee) Work Strand 4 (WASH team) of the NIHR Global Research Group on Improving Adolescent Health &...

Breaking the Chains of Child Marriage in Malawi: A New Dawn for Girls

Imagine being forced into marriage before finishing school, with your dreams set aside by tradition and poverty. For many young girls in Malawi, this is a reality, as the country’s child marriage rate remains at a staggering 37.7%—almost double the global average. Despite efforts to end this practice, the question remains: why does it persist, and what can be done to change it?

Finally, the chance to return!

By Dr. Tara Beattie My last visit to Malawi was just before Covid19 hit in 2020, and obviously during the pandemic opportunity to come out was very restricted. I was then disappointed I couldn’t attend the project launch meeting in November 2022. So when the...

 Exploring Adolescent Health in Malawi: A Journey through Longitudinal Insights

Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a fascinating journey investigating the   complexities of early adolescent health and well-being in the vibrant landscape of Malawi. Join us as we explain the stories, challenges, and triumphs encountered in our...

Navigating New Horizons: A PhD Student’s Reflections and Discoveries

~ by Velia Manyonga -University of Strathclyde (Scotland) I was very excited when I was offered the scholarship to study PhD in Social Policy with the University of Strathclyde. For years, I harbored a strong desire to further my education, but financial constraints...

Tackling Adverse Childhood Events, A Key to Achieving Adolescents’ Health Rights

On this World Health Day, we advocate for the fundamental right to health for all, including adolescents who are shaping our future. However, for many young people, their health journey is marred by the shadow of Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), which profoundly...

Leveraging water for peace: a way to go! Understanding young people’s experiences would be helpful, right?

Lack of access to safe and adequate water supply remains a challenge globally, but especially in sub-Saharan Africa. With a predominately youthful population in this region, this is a challenge that continues to blight the lives of young people. In Malawi nearly half...

Studentships

May 23, 2024

It was such a joyous day when I got the news that I had been offered a scholarship to study for a PhD in economics under the NIHR funded Improving Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Malawi program. My heart rejoiced as I knew that this was the first step in a journey of 1000 miles. Finally, my dreams of advancing my education and getting a PhD in economics were coming to life. Not only did this opportunity represent a chance to advance my education, but it also offered a chance for me to work on key developmental issues that I am passionate about. I had been offered a chance to conduct research with a potential to improve the lives of adolescents in Malawi and beyond.

I landed in Glasgow for my studies in January 2024. Despite all the research that I did on what living in Glasgow would be like, I was so surprised by how cold this country was when I first got here. I was shocked by how late the sun rose in the morning and how early it got dark. Never have I ever experienced days so short and grey. And I thought to myself: “what have I done?”.  As someone coming from a sub-Saharan country, the change in the temperature was very drastic and a bit more than what I had expected. There I was, in a foreign country feeling so cold and wondering what happened to the sun that I loved so much? How could it be that the sun was shining but it was still cold? For in my country when one sees the sun, they expect to feel its warm embrace when they are out and about. The story is different during winter in Glasgow. The sun no longer represents warmth and joy for it is almost always accompanied by a breeze so cold you would think the heavens left a refrigerator open. And this made me miss home: the warm heart of Africa.

As I started going outside more and meeting different people, I finally understood what the phrase “people make Glasgow” means. For I had seen this signpost on the internet before I left home but I did not know exactly what it meant. Most of the people that I met turned out to be quite friendly, which made me feel more at home and miss home a little less. I was fortunate enough to end up in a neighborhood with very friendly people.  Take, for example, one of my neighbours. She did her best to make sure that I was comfortable. She brought me food and did everything she could to help me get situated. I was also fortunate enough to meet a landlord who went above and beyond to make sure that I had everything that I needed. On top of that, I met a very supportive student community at Strathclyde.

One of my favorite things about Glasgow is how safe it feels to walk around, even for long distances. This is very important to me because I like to take long walks in order to clear my head. I also like that Glasgow has a lot of parks where I can go relax and do some soul searching when I hit a stumbling block in my research journey. One of my favourite parks is Victoria Park which offers quite a beautiful and serene environment conducive for generating great ideas.

My academic journey so far has been interesting. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from and interact with great minds. I have met some of the most helpful individuals in the classes that I have attended so far. It has also been a pleasure working with my supervisory committee, who have inspired me to refine my research so that it can be of the highest standard possible.

I look forward to what lies ahead in this journey!!!

More from us ….

NIHR-GHRG Steering Group Meeting 2025
NIHR-GHRG Steering Group Meeting 2025

Strengthening Strategy, Celebrating Progress, and Reaffirming Commitment The NIHR-funded Global Health Research Group (GHRG) on Improving Adolescent Health and Wellbeing in Malawi held its annual Steering Group Meeting in Blantyre, Malawi, on 21 May 2025. This...