Plan’s work in Malawi covers 5 key areas, all of which are rooted in the rights of the child:

• maternal and child health
• mitigation of HIV and AIDS
• sustainable livelihoods
• quality education
• community empowerment, gender and child rights

Maternal and child health

Plan Malawi’s health activities focus on reducing maternal, neonatal and child illnesses. There is a very big component of community participation in managing illnesses at community level. We work hand-in-hand with community based health staff.

Mitigation of HIV and AIDS

This programme reinforces behaviour change and encourages community participation in prevention of the disease. For those infected, post test groups have been formed and members are supported with training in livelihoods skills which they can use to sustain their lives and look after their children.

Sustainable livelihoods

Plan Malawi strives to support families’ food security through an integrated approach working in partnership with agricultural research institutions. We encourage food diversification by teaching communities skills in processing and storing food. We  also facilitate the formation of village savings and loans schemes, which allow families to save and plan for the future.

Quality education

This programme not only works with communities to construct schools and teachers’ houses, but also encourages and supports them in school management and governance. This improves awareness of education and creates ownership of structures by the communities.

Community empowerment, gender and child rights

This programme focuses on awareness of human rights and rights of the child: protection, participation, survival and development. Community members are empowered through training to demand their entitlements from government, which is the major duty bearer.

This is also the programme that strengthens the relationship between the sponsors and sponsored children through communications and visits.