Population: 17,215,000
Life Expectancy: 61 years
Orphaned Children: 1.3 million
Attendance in early childhood education: 39%
Children sleeping under mosquito nets: 45%
Children in the Mgwayi Village Partnership Program live next to COTN’s Njewa Ministry Center outside Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital. The 3,000 people in this rural community are struggling to survive both environmental challenges, which cause low crop yields, and a nationwide HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has left many children orphaned.
Children here live with their families in mud huts with thatched roofs. Most of the heads of households are women who are widowed or divorced. Most families earn a meager living through farming or small businesses. They struggle to afford things like food and medical care. Typical meals consist of nsima (ground maize) with vegetables and occasionally fish or other meats. Children do chores like collecting firewood, washing clothes, and carrying water from the village well. They speak Chichewa and learn English in school.
Since 2007, sponsors like you have partnered with our staff to build a children’s center in Mgwayi, create business opportunities for local widows, and provide the children with food, school fees, medical care, spiritual guidance, HIV/AIDS awareness and testing, hygiene supplies, and school supplies. By continuing to equip these children with tools for success, we believe they will grow up to create positive change in their community and, ultimately, their nation.