Background
malawi
Malawi is a country located in southeastern Africa who rely heavily on their agriculture industry for food and jobs. They produce primarily groundnuts, sugar, tobacco, cotton, and tea but tobacco had become increasily dominant in the past quarter century.
The country boasts a population of over 19 million people with a population density of 129 people per kilometer. Their life expectancy is estimated at 60.5 because of the high mortality rate due to AIDS and diseases from contaminated food. Food storage, due to sub-tropical climates, is of utmost importance especially during their hot-wet season lasting November all the way until April but less than half the country has access to adequate sanitation.
sierra leone
Sierra Leone is a country located in the western area of Africa who rely heavily on the harvesting and production of rice for their agriculture industry
The country has an unfortunate 57.1 year lifespan with a child mortality rate of 120/1000. This is part due to the fact that on average, women will have six children which has resulted in malnutrition issues. Sierra Leone has a population of 7.8 million people but such a low lifespan due to large reported cases of AIDS as well as food and waterborne illnesses. Their climate similar to Malawi has a long hot-humid season making food storage extremely important
Demographics
Malawi
Overal Area: 119,000 sq. km.Â
Population: 19.72 million
Population Density: 129 people per sq. km.Â
GDP: $6.303 billion USD
Sierra Leone
Overall Area: 71,740 sq. km.Â
Population: 7.88Â million
Population Density: 79 people per sq. km.
GDP: $3.774 billion USD
California
Overall Area:Â 163,696 sq. miles
Population: 40.02 million
Population Density: 251.3 people per sq. mile
GDP: $3 trillion USD
Meet our Contacts
Dr. Mark Manary, Megan Manary, and Dr. Peggy C. Papathakis
Dr. Mark Manary is the founder of the Peanut Butter Project, a lifesaving organization based in Malawi that produces "Ready to Use Therapeutic Food" to aid in the recovery of malnourished children. His daughter, Megan Manary, is the Director of Quality Control for the Peanut Butter Project. The organization has expanded to include Sierra Leone and Ghana. For more information, click here.
Dr. Peggy C. Papthakis is a Cal Poly professor of nutrition with a focus on Clinical/Maternal and Child/Global Nutrition Her research is "identifying ways to support appropriate weight gain and to optimize birth weight in moderately malnourished pregnant women in Africa (Cal Poly).