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In Malawi, 1 in 5 children live without biological parent. Many of these children grow up alone, facing poverty and exploitation without the protection of a safe and secure family.
As well as extreme poverty, the devastating HIV and AIDS pandemic has left a whole generation of already vulnerable children at risk of even greater suffering. HIV and AIDS-related illnesses claim the lives of 70,000 children every year and rob nearly one million children of either one or both parents. These children are left to cope alone and, without the support and care of parents or guardians, they are most vulnerable to child labour, exploitation, trafficking and abuse.
Many orphans and vulnerable children are left in the care of elderly relatives and older siblings. These families often find it hard to cope and are at risk of separation. Some children are forced to drop out of school to look for work as tabacco farmers or goat herders to help support their families. Many others have to move away from their families to find work in towns or cities. They end up working in informal, badly-paid and demanding jobs as domestic workers and are highly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
> Find out how you can sponsor a child in Malawi
What is EveryChild doing to help?
Protecting HIV and AIDS orphans
By 2010, it is estimated that there will be around 1.15 million orphans in Malawi alone. To help combat the effects of this devastating pandemic, EveryChild is training service providers to improve access to care, support, treatment and protection for children who have been infected or orphaned by HIV and AIDS. We support families and communities looking after AIDS orphans by providing financial assistance as well as farming equipment. We have also set up community-based childcare centres which provide pre-school education to children who would otherwise have not had the opportunity.
- 4,152 children benefited from child-rights clubs, girls clubs and anti-AIDS youth associations where they shared experiences and learnt about issues affecting them
Help for Malawi's orphans on two wheels
EveryChild is working in communities in Malawi to keep families together. With our help and support many AIDS orphans do not have to end up in lonely orphanages. We help them stay in a loving and secure environment with their grandparents or other extended family.
> Read Costas Bota's story
Fighting against child labour - Mzimba
EveryChild is working with communities and families to reduce the number of children who are forced into child labour. These children are most at risk of separation from their families and communities. To help local communities tackle this issue, EveryChild provides material and educational support to families at risk of separation and raises awareness of the issue of child labour amongst the community.
- 382 children have been removed from child labour and are now enrolled in schools. 440 children have been prevented from being forced into child labour and are able to remain in school
Onani - Malawi
Onani, 14 years, is employed as a cattle herder. In Malawi over a quarter of all boys aged 5-14 work, mostly in agriculture. Of all children employed in Malawi approximately 5 per cent never attend school.
> Read Onani's story
Safeguarding children through Child Protection Units - Mzimba, Lilongwe and Dowa
Violence and abuse against children in Malawi is widespread. Sadly, the majority of cases go unreported. To protect children, EveryChild has established Child Protection Units within police stations in three major regions. They are instrumental in securing convictions for child abuse cases. In addition, teachers, community-based organisations and local leaders are being trained by EveryChild in key child protection issues. Child Rights clubs have also been set up to ensure that children have the opportunity to speak on their own behalf on matters that concern them. They are key to ensuring children are aware of their rights and that victims report abuse cases to the relevant authorities.
- 20 prosecutors and 20 police officers have been trained in child protection issues to help them deal with children in conflict with the law and those who have been abused and exploited
What can you do to help?
When you sponsor a child with EveryChild you can help children living without parental care, their families and often their whole communities. For as little as 50p a day, you can make a real and lasting difference to a vulnerable child just when they need it most.
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