| Partnerships With CBOs |
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Malawi has an extremely high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which affects an estimated 16.4 per cent of people aged 15 to 49 and accounts for some 70 per cent of hospital deaths. There is a devastating AIDS epidemic in Malawi that has already caused over 650,000 deaths, and AIDS continues to be responsible for the deaths of around ten people every hour.
Out of a population of 12.3 million, almost one million people in Malawi were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005. AIDS is the leading cause of death amongst adults in Malawi, and is a major factor in the country’s low life expectancy of just 38.5 years.
-Ministry of Health and Population, Malawi (2004)
The Situation For Orphans
Currently there are over half a million orphans in Malawi and the numbers of orphans is projected to reach as high as 2 million by 2010. Over half of children under five years of age in Malawi are stunted or severely malnourished.
-UNICEF, 2006 |
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The number of children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS is expected to rise to 2 million by 2010. As the number of Orphan and Vulnerable Children increases in Malawi, it is proving increasingly difficult for surviving parents, their extended families and relatives who are already under economic hardships, to provide, protect and care for the expanding number of orphans and vulnerable children.
Families and local communities are the front line caregivers and they have demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity in addressing the myriad of needs of affected children. Because these systems are so effective, they are the ones that need most support. AIDS, extreme poverty and food shortages have all taken their toll on Malawi in recent years.
By the end of 2005, it was estimated that Malawi had over half a million children orphaned by AIDS.
- OSA affiliated CBOs have in common, a focus on providing quality care to their orphans and vulnerable children. All OVC linked with OSA affiliated CBOs are ensured comprehensive care ; food, clothing, shelter, nursery/primary school, school supplies, primary health care, health education, HIV/AIDS education, recreation and nurturing attention
- The total number of affiliated orphans is currently more than 38,000, with a projected number of more than 50,000 by 2009
- OSA partners with CBOS to assist each in developing its community's social capital in the way the local organisation feels best suited to. Through such a close collaboration, OSA hopes to help strengthen CBO ownership and independence which will lead sustainable care for each community's most vulnerable- the children
- CBO projects include- income generation activities (IGA) which include garden irrigation systems, food storage facilities, garden roofs, maize mills, poultry houses and community based support systems such as community-based child care centers (CBCCs)
- OSA supports CBOs by facilitating trainings in financial and organisational management, leadership and grant-writing sessions for its members
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