try { $stmt = $pdo->prepare(" SELECT s.id, s.title, s.slug, s.excerpt, s.content, s.published_at, s.created_at, COALESCE(m.cloudinary_secure_url, m.file_path, s.featured_image) AS image_url, m.alt_text AS image_alt, au.name AS author_name FROM stories s LEFT JOIN media m ON s.featured_image_id = m.id LEFT JOIN admin_users au ON s.author_id = au.id WHERE s.status = 'published' ORDER BY COALESCE(s.published_at, s.created_at) DESC, s.id DESC "); $stmt->execute(); $stories = $stmt->fetchAll(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC); } catch (\Throwable $e) { $stories = []; } // Helper: estimate reading time function get_story_reading_time($text) { $words = str_word_count(strip_tags((string)$text)); $minutes = ceil($words / 180); return max(1, $minutes) . ' min read'; } // Helper: format publication date function format_story_date($date_string) { if (!$date_string) return 'Recent'; $time = strtotime($date_string); return $time ? date('M j, Y', $time) : 'Recent'; } // Helper: infer category tag based on title or content function get_story_category($title, $content = '') { $str = strtolower($title . ' ' . $content); if (strpos($str, 'girl') !== false) { return "Girls' Empowerment"; } if (strpos($str, 'protect') !== false || strpos($str, 'right') !== false) { return 'Rights & Protection'; } if (strpos($str, 'youth') !== false) { return 'Youth Empowerment'; } if (strpos($str, 'climate') !== false || strpos($str, 'environment') !== false) { return 'Climate & Environment'; } if (strpos($str, 'govern') !== false || strpos($str, 'participat') !== false) { return 'Citizen Participation'; } return 'Community Impact'; } $featured_story = !empty($stories) ? $stories[0] : null; $grid_stories = count($stories) > 1 ? array_slice($stories, 1) : $stories; ?>

Community Stories

Stories from the field, voices of resilience.

Real experiences, community voices, and milestones of change from FORUD’s programmes across Malawi — documenting the transformative power of citizen-led development.

10+ Years of Community Impact

6+ Institutional & Local Partners

100s Community Champions Engaged

100% Citizen & Community Centred

All Stories.

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We are currently documenting field stories and community updates from our ongoing programmes across Malawi. Please check back soon!

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