© 2007 AID AFRICA UK Registered Charity Number 1116336
Over half of Malawi’s 15,263,000,population is under
18 years old, and 30% of those are under 5 years.
18 years old, and 30% of those are under 5 years.
These statistics reveal the enormity of the socio-economic challenges that Malawi faces - a huge proportion of dependant children, with AIDS impacting all sectors of the workforce and community life.
There are a million orphans under 17 yrs, and
65% of those were orphaned by AIDS.(Unicef:2009)
65% of those were orphaned by AIDS.(Unicef:2009)
Many people are either providing care for someone with HIV or are suffering themselves, leaving them unable to work.This particularly affects rural farming communities, - as crops fail due to extreme weather, and fields are neglected though frailty, so hunger is widespread.
Another aspect of the problem is access to ARV’s
(Anti-retroviral drugs, which delay the onset of AIDS in people HIV+). It can be 4 hours’ walk to receive treatment each month, then 4 hours back again, without lunch, and weakened by disease and hunger.
(Anti-
Women are routinely tested when pregnant, and VCT(voluntary counselling/testing) services are
being rolled out across Malawi,
but in most areas the stigma remains.
being rolled out across Malawi,
but in most areas the stigma remains.
We help fund this transport for the most vulnerable, host a weekly AIDS support group in our Training Hall, are developing projects (i.e. rabbits) which need minimum care, and as part of our target group (along with orphans, the elderly, & disabled) their families also benefit from our milk & maize.
