Malawi Statistics

 

The situation of the children of Malawi, particularly those orphaned remains dire. Since 1991, Malawi has ranked amongst the bottom 20 countries worldwide on the Human Development Index. Chronic poverty, poor harvests and a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS conspires to eliminate a bright future for the nearly 1M orphaned and vulnerable children in Malawi. That number is expected to rise to 2M by 2010. As the number of orphaned and vulnerable children increase 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 numbers. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region in the global AIDS epidemic. Although just over 10% of the world’s population lives in this region, more than two out of three adults and nearly 90% of children infected with HIV reside in Sub-Saharan.

 

Families and local communities are the front line caregivers. 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.

 

Highlights:

  • OSA is partnering with 40 community based organizations with a reach of 36,000 orphaned and vulnerable children. We hope to reach at 50,000 children by end of 2009.
  • OSA works with the poor rural communities of Sub Saharan Africa, to reduce and overcome the impact of HIV/AIDS and poverty
  • OSA supports locally based youth and women’s group initiatives in HIV/AIDS care, education and advocacy initiatives
  • All OSA affiliated community based organizations  provide a comprehensive care and support  food, clothing, shelter, nursery/primary school, school supplies, primary health care, health & HIV/AIDS education and prevention;  recreation and social integration programs
  • OSA partners with community based organisations in developing its community's social capital in the way the local organization feels best suited to its needs. Through such a close collaboration, OSA hopes to help strengthen community based organization ownership and independence which will lead to sustainability and self – reliance.
  • All community based organizations are currently involved in projects that include; income generation activities, such as: garden irrigation systems, food storage facilities, maize mills, animal husbandry & poultry houses ; and social integration and community based support and care through community-based child care centers .
  • OSA supports capacity building and sustainable development of community based organizations by facilitating trainings/workshops in financial & organizational management, leadership and grant-writing sessions for its members
  • OSA places special emphasis in supporting the education of the girl child and women-led community based organization.