Funding Priorities

Raising Malawi allocates funds to four priorities, all of which support our continuing mission to improve the quality of life for orphans and vulnerable children.

Health

Health problems pose a serious threat to the population of Malawi, where life expectancy rates in some communities have been estimated as low as just thirty-nine years. Malawi has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world, and children there routinely die from a host of entirely preventable infectious diseases. In the 4th poorest nation on Earth, with an average income of about $160 per capita, and a Human Development Index ranking of 165 out of 177 countries, most Malawians find it difficult if not impossible to procure proper health care and life-saving medication.

Education

The education system in Malawi faces challenges of access, equity, quality and internal efficiency. The rampant spread of disease and resulting low life expectancy in Malawi has resulted in a lack of teachers and administrators, and an increased student drop-out and repetition rate. Cultural and systemic gender parities have put girls at a disadvantage in completing even the most basic education in Malawi, and many are forced to leave school because of pregnancy. In addition, school expenses prevent children of both sexes from attending schools throughout the poverty-stricken nation.

Sustainability

Malawi’s socio-economic development has been continually stunted throughout its history as an independent nation. Repeated droughts and widespread disease have crippled its agriculture. The Malawian government has attempted to diversify a fledgling manufacturing sector and to create jobs in infrastructure improvement. However, the nation has remained dependent on aid from a variety of foreign sources.

Psychosocial Support

In addition to direct physical assistance, there is a dire need for psychological and social programming for a generation of children traumatized by HIV/AIDS, poverty, parental loss, malnourishment and disease. Malawi’s orphans and vulnerable children have been deeply affected by these issues and are in need of tools to navigate these serious challenges. Psychosocial support aims to help children effectively deal with trauma and stress and meet their emotional, mental and spiritual needs, all of which are considered fundamental elements of healthy human development.