Malawi – Family Strengthening

In Malawi, more than 1 million children are growing up without one or both parents. Despite Malawi’s National Policy on Orphans and other Vulnerable Children emphasising that children should grow up in a family environment where they can integrate into the community, the number of childcare institutions has increased from 104 in 2011 to 189 in 2017. The key drivers of this are that caregivers are unable to provide the basic needs for their children, and problems of domestic abuse. Less than 5% of parents in Malawi have access to education on parenting, and so continue to use violent child-rearing practices.

The programme supports over 9,000 children to keep their families together and prevents them from being placed in institutional care or left alone on the streets. The children living in families at risk of breakdown in Malawi are selected by a local community task force, which is made up of local government social workers, community organisations, local chiefs, SOS Malawi and in some cases the police. The families are selected based on their state of vulnerability and their need for support.

When a family enters the programme, the first step is to assess the major challenges facing them, and where the family would like to see itself in three to five years. The local SOS employees then work with them during visits to make an individually tailored plan for the family. To help them become self-sufficient, caregivers are trained in income-generating activities, financial literacy, and parental skills, as well as the prevention of violence against children, early marriage, and teenage pregnancy. During the programme, SOS Malawi works to ensure all children in the programme have access to nutritious food, education, and health services. They also work with local community-based organisations to strengthen their ability to support families around them.

Together with the government and other partners, SOS Children’s Villages Malawi works to ensure that children obtain a national registration ID. They are also working to lobby the government to increase its social support to vulnerable children.

Overall Goals

• Children and young people at risk of losing parental care have an equal chance to succeed in life.
• Families provide quality care and protection for their children.
• Children and young people have improved learning outcomes.
• Young people have access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
• The government prioritises the implementation of the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.

Photo: SOS Children’s Villages Malawi