Malawi
Malawi is often referred to as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’ because of the friendliness of its people. Climate shocks and low agricultural productivity mean that poverty levels remain high in Malawi. The incidence of HIV/AIDS in Malawi is among the highest rates in the world, further taxing the country’s overburdened health care system.
Malawi
Malawi is often referred to as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’ because of the friendliness of its people. Climate shocks and low agricultural productivity mean that poverty levels remain high in Malawi. The incidence of HIV/AIDS in Malawi is among the highest rates in the world, further taxing the country’s overburdened health care system.
Malawi
Population: 20 million people
Program snapshot: A+ Successor Program
Caritas Australia is working with CADECOM (Catholic Development Commission in Malawi) to support marginalised rural communities across the country.
Using a Strengths-Based Approach, the project aims to empower communities to improve food security and access to water and sanitation while also addressing gender inequalities child protection issues.
Along with your generous support, this program is supported by the Australian Government, through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
The impact of your support in Malawi:
Communities can utilise their existing assets and natural resources to improve their income.
Families can access clean drinking water and handwash facilities.
Young people can learn vocational training skills to boost their employment prospects.
Child protection committees are established to help reduce incidences of early child marriage.
Ndaziona’s story
Child marriage is a widespread issue in Malawi, with an estimated 46% of girls entering marriage before they turn 18. The A+ Program has trained and provided support to child protection clubs in schools, as well as child protection committees in villages. This helps safeguard the rights of children in schools and communities, and reduce cases of abuse within communities.
Ndaziona, 16, lives rural Malawi. She comes from a family of five, which relies heavily on farming for income. Child marriage is common in her community and Ndaziona entered into a marriage when she was just 15-years-old.
Your support has helped the child protection committees establish a child protection club to raise awareness about children’s rights and help combat child marriage. Thanks to the work of our partners, Ndaziona has been able to go back to school and is proud of the education she is receiving. She is living back home with her mother again and focusing on learning and fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse to support vulnerable girls.
“When I was in marriage, I was abused with heavy work load but I now see great change thanks to the A+ project,”
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