PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN MALAWI AND THEIR FAMILIES
About Malawi
Often described as the ‘warm heart of Africa’ because of the friendliness and hospitality of its people, Malawi is a small, densely-populated country in southeastern Africa and one of the poorest in the world. It is
bordered by Tanzania to the
northeast, Zambia to the northwest
and Mozambique to the southwest,
south and southeast. The largest
portion of Lake Malawi, also
known as the Calendar Lake
because it measures
approximately 365 miles
long and 52 miles wide,
belongs to Malawi, with around a quarter belonging to Mozambique.
Facts, figures and further information
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★ Malawi is currently ranked 172 out of 193 countries in the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Human Development Index,
based on health, education and income.
★ The UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) Malawi Annual Report
notes that the situation in 2024 was daunting, with progress toward
child survival and development being hindered by persistent poverty
and environmental vulnerabilities. ‘Disruptions in the supply chain
for vaccines and essential medicines, driven by economic
instability and global shortages, exacerbated challenges.’
★ The UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) Child
Poverty in Malawi 2018 Report provides an interesting
insight into the many challenges confronting
children growing up in the country.
★ What Matters for Learning in Malawi? Evidence
from the Malawi Longitudinal School Survey,
published by the World Bank in 2024, describes
the serious implications arising from the
introduction of free primary education in 1994
without the necessary investment in
infrastructure and resources. Secondary
school fees were abolished in 2026.
★ According to UNAIDS, there are approximately
57,000 children under the age of 14 living with
HIV in Malawi and around 470,000 orphans under the age
of 17 who have lost their parents to AIDS. A number of
interlinked problems that are contributing to the crisis
include a severe national shortage of medical staff,
poverty, gender inequality, food insecurity and malnutrition.
HIV programmes in Malawi have been further hampered by the
reductions in US funding implemented in 2025.
★ The World Food Programme (WFP) 2025 Malawi Country Brief
explains that the country is facing cyclical food insecurity because of
back-to-back natural disasters and high food prices. With most livelihoods dependent on rainfed agriculture, the population is especially vulnerable to the effects of droughts and cyclone-induced floods. Malawi’s challenges are further compounded by weak economic growth, high overall debt distress, low primary school completion and a high prevalence of stunting and HIV/AIDS infection.
★ WaterAid estimates that over a quarter of Malawians lack access to clean water close to home, half the population lack a decent toilet and over 1,000 children under the age of five die every year from diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. Children get sick and miss school, adults can’t work to support their families, and patients are at risk in health centres.
▼ A view of Lake Malawi from Senga Bay with Cape Maclear in the distance.
Its tropical waters are thought to contain a greater variety of freshwater fish than any other lake in the world, including numerous endemic cichlids.
Charitable status
ChildCare Malawi is unable to register with the Charity Commission because our annual income is less than £5,000. However, we are registered as
a Small Charity with HMRC, which entitles us to claim Gift Aid on eligible donations.
Butterflies
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Picture credits
All images are copyright of
their owners and must not be used for any reason without prior written authorisation.
Row 1 © Derek Winterburn.
Row 2 © jamesdeanphoto.
Row 3 © Margaret Moyo.
Row 4 © Bill Turnbull.
Row 1 of photo gallery
Left © Bruce Webber/Webber Photography.
Right © Robert Styring ARPS.
Row 2 of photo gallery
Left © Lorne Chapman Photography.
Right © Bruce Webber/Webber Photography.
Row 3 of photo gallery
© Bruce Webber/Webber Photography.
Row 4 of photo gallery
Left © Lorne Chapman Photography.
Right © Joyce Maunde.
Row 5 of photo gallery
© Tom McShane.
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