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Community Health Workers in Malawi Expand Maternal Care

Community Health Workers in MalawiCommunity health workers in Malawi play a central role in maternal care, especially in rural communities where distance, transport gaps and workforce shortages can delay treatment. In Malawi, these frontline workers are commonly known as Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs). In an interview, Kingsley Chikaphupha, executive director of REACH Trust, told The Borgen Project that HSAs identify and register pregnant women, promote early antenatal care, explain danger signs, support referrals for high-risk pregnancies and conduct home visits after delivery. 

He said they also work with families and community leaders to reduce stigma and strengthen support for pregnant women at the community level. This community-to-clinic connection is one reason community health workers in Malawi remain important in maternal and newborn care. REACH Trust describes itself as a Malawian nongovernmental organization (NGO) focused on research, innovation and implementation in health and development.

According to the World Bank, Malawi’s maternal mortality ratio declined from 1,115 in 2000 to 225 in 2023. This underscores the importance of HSAs in Malawi. 

How the Community System Works

Chikaphupha said maternal services delivered by HSAs are mainly preventive and referral-based. Malawi’s Community Health Framework similarly describes community health workers as the first point of contact between communities and the health system and calls for stronger integration between community teams and health facilities. This structure matters because skilled midwives and nurses deliver babies and manage obstetric emergencies at facilities, while HSAs help women access those services earlier.

Chikaphupha said HSAs use standardized checklists and danger-sign rules during home visits. He said they look for symptoms such as heavy bleeding, severe headaches and high fever, while also checking basic signs and asking about earlier pregnancy complications. He added that they can escort women for urgent referral when needed. 

This role fits Malawi’s broader policy direction. The country’s earlier National Community Health Strategy and the current framework both emphasize referral systems, supervision and a target of one HSA per 1,000 people.

Training and Workforce Expansion

According to Chikaphupha, HSA training has included classroom and field-based instruction in reproductive health, antenatal care, labor, postnatal care, counseling, referral skills and emergency response. He said Malawi has recently shifted from an earlier 12-week training model to a one-year curriculum. He also said the first cohort of 497 trainees completed the 12-month program and graduated in November 2024 and that these workers are being recruited as Disease Control Surveillance Assistants (DCSAs). 

Last Mile Health works with the Malawi Ministry of Health to provide standardized training for community and frontline health workers. These workers support routine services, including maternal and child health visits. Even with that progress, Chikaphupha said remote communities still face shortages, poor transport links, weak supervision, stockouts and burnout. 

Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan III for 2023-2030 calls for training, recruiting and equipping HSAs to meet community health strategy targets. The plan lists antenatal care coverage of at least four visits at 51% as a baseline, showing why stronger local outreach still matters. Chikaphupha said some HSAs serve more than 2,000 people, well above the desired ratio.

Organizations Are Backing a Practical Solution

Recent programs show how community health workers in Malawi are being supported through targeted investments. UNICEF continues to invest in maternal and child health care and capacity building for health workers in Malawi. In March 2025, UNICEF, with funding from the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, supported the Rumphi District Health Office in training 16 community midwifery assistants and 24 HSAs. 

The training was designed to help these individuals integrate services related to maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, as well as nutrition. Furthermore, in March 2026, UNICEF announced that funding from China would upgrade maternity and newborn wards in 20 health facilities across three districts. The funding would also supply medicines and equipment and train community health workers to better support mothers and babies. 

Chikaphupha said Malawi’s 2023–2030 national framework is formalizing the role of community health workers in maternal and newborn care, while newer projects are expanding postnatal home visits, community engagement and digital tracking. This makes community health workers in Malawi more than a stopgap measure. They are part of a longer-term strategy to extend maternal care into communities that would otherwise have the weakest access to services. 

As Malawi continues to invest in training, facility links and workforce support, community health workers in Malawi remain one of the country’s clearest maternal health solutions.

– Aiden Moriarty

Aiden is based in Rowley, MA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Mobile Technology & Community Health Care in Malawi

Health Care in MalawiIn many rural communities in Malawi, the health care system continues to face significant challenges in delivering accessible, affordable services to its rural population. More than 80% of Malawians live in rural areas, where limited funding, inadequate medical supplies, bribery and unaffordable costs restrict access to essential health care. Many rural families walk long distances to reach the nearest clinic, thereby delaying health care until health complications become severe.

Limited access to health care increases the risk of death among young children in Malawi, as people who live far from health centers are less likely to receive medical care. This also affects pregnant women who live farther away from those facilities, as they are less likely to get prenatal checkups or professional help during childbirth. To address these challenges, Malawi has increasingly relied on Community Health Workers (CHWs), locally known as Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs), who serve as important links between communities and health systems.

Recently, the introduction of mobile technology has paved the way for more effective health care delivery. Using mobile phones, digital reporting tools and health apps, CHWs can now track patient data, communicate with clinics and respond more quickly to medical needs and emergencies. These digital efforts are supported by organizations such as the Malawi Ministry of Health, which oversees community health programs and digital health systems and VillageReach.

This global nonprofit organization strengthens supply chains and digital health tools for frontline health workers in Malawi. Together, these technologies improve access to health care, support health education and strengthen health systems in rural communities.

Mobile Technology Strengthening Community Health Work

Mobile technology has become an important tool in strengthening HSAs across Malawi. Smartphones, tablets and SMS-based platforms enable HSAs to collect patient data, monitor symptoms and communicate directly with health facilities. One of the most widely used systems is the Malawi Ministry of Health’s mobile system, which enables live disease surveillance and medicine stock monitoring.

The Integrated Community Health Information System (iCHIS) is a mobile system implemented by the Malawi Ministry of Health. It supports HSAs by enabling them to record patient data digitally and submit accurate, up-to-date reports. This system replaces paper-based reporting and data collection, improving accuracy and speeding up communication with district health offices.

By helping track diseases and monitor maternal and child health, iCHIS strengthens community-level health care and improves response times in rural areas of Malawi. In a published report, Malawi’s Ministry of Health emphasized that digital reporting systems such as the iCHIS have reduced delays in community-level data reporting and improved decision-making at district health offices. Officials noted that real-time digital data allows faster responses to disease outbreaks and improves monitoring of maternal and child health services, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas.

In addition, digital systems support health education by providing HSAs with updated information on nutrition and disease prevention. These tools strengthen communication between health workers and communities, improve trust in local health services and help ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate care. Overall, mobile technology has become an important tool for strengthening community-based health care delivery in Malawi, particularly in rural areas.

Organizations Supporting Digital Health Initiatives in Malawi

  • VillageReach: VillageReach supports Malawi’s health system by deploying digital tools that strengthen last-mile service delivery. The organization works with frontline health workers to use mobile reporting systems that improve data accuracy, reduce medicine stockouts and strengthen coordination between community health workers and health facilities. These tools also help health officials quickly identify supply gaps and respond before shortages affect patient care.
  • Partners In Health (PIH): PIH is another organization that works with Malawi’s Ministry of Health to strengthen rural health care delivery through technology and training. The organization focuses on improving data collection, disease surveillance and quality of care by supporting digital health systems used by HSAs. PIH also helps strengthen digital systems and supports CHWs with tools that improve patient tracking and follow-up care, especially for maternal health, HIV and infectious diseases.
  • Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI): CHAI supports Malawi’s Ministry of Health by strengthening digital health systems, improving supply chain management and expanding access to essential health services. The organization implements data-driven health programs that enhance disease surveillance, improve access to medicine and strengthen overall health system performance. Through partnerships with government agencies, CHAI also develops and improves digital tools that enhance health care delivery.

Through the combined efforts of these organizations, the workload of CHWs has been greatly reduced. These efforts show how combining community health work with mobile technology can expand health care access and improve outcomes even in developing regions.

Looking Ahead

As Malawi continues to invest in digital health, mobile technology is becoming an important tool for improving health care delivery. Indeed, expanding mobile network access, strengthening digital skills among health workers and improving data systems will help ensure progress. With continued support and partnerships, mobile health systems can address health care challenges, improve patients’ well-being and strengthen the country’s health system.

By giving HSAs better digital tools, Malawi shows how technology can help to reduce challenges in health care access. These systems support CHWs and provide a practical example for other low-income countries seeking to improve rural health care in affordable, effective ways.

– Emmanuel Fagbemide

Emmanuel is based in Winnipeg, Canada and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Empowering Women to Close the Gender Pay Gap in Malawi

Gender Pay Gap in MalawiPoverty is an ongoing issue in Malawi with more than 70% of people living under the international poverty line. A vast majority of Malawians are living on less than $2.50 per day, resulting in 13 million struggling to achieve economic security.

Women are at an increased disadvantage due to social norms, creating an even bigger disparity in equality. The gender pay gap in Malawi affects not only women, as equality in the workplace, at home and societal beliefs can benefit everyone.

Conditions for Women in Malawi  

Women hold low economic power in their homes and workplaces, balancing unpaid childcare with paid jobs in productive sectors such as agriculture and mining, while still consistently being offered fewer hours and lower wages than men.

Girls are typically married before 18, having to abandon their education to care for their children. This limits their opportunities in the workforce and continues to perpetuate the notion that women are less skilled and deserve less pay. By taking away the chance for a full education, women are left at a disadvantage compared to men, who can finish their education and enter the workforce.

Women as Leaders in Poverty Reduction 

A 2023 UN Study focusing on the gender pay gap in East and Southern Africa supports the idea that women can become leaders in poverty reduction. Empowering women and giving them financial autonomy could help lift the entire country out of poverty. Women are more likely to share their income with the household, investing more in their children’s health, housing and education. Prioritizing investing in their own families further stimulates the economy and fuels the next generation to create better overall living conditions.

To integrate women confidently into the labor market, the U.N. is calling for legislative change, creating transparency in the hiring process and prohibiting discrimination based on gender or marital status. Malawi can achieve this by developing regulations for minimum wage, increasing benefits and making salaries publicly available. All of this contributes to the elimination of the glass ceiling, bringing women to the forefront of economic progress.

Malawi must work to change societal norms, while also implementing work-life balance policies to ensure that unpaid child care is no longer the only option. Progressing to share child care responsibilities will empower women and unlock the full potential of the Malawian workforce. Uplifting women will facilitate socioeconomic growth, working to lift the entire country above the poverty line.

The good news is that progress has already begun. Malawi has achieved an equal representation of genders in schools by removing education fees and creating a safe space for girls to learn. This is key in empowering young girls to enter the workforce with confidence and the knowledge necessary to succeed.

Empowered Women Advocating for Change 

Advocacy and the creation of support programs are essential in closing this gender divide. The Young Feminists Network (YFN) is an organization that lobbied to establish an Executive Committee at the end of 2024, representing the interests of women nationwide. Its work is pivotal to bringing the gender pay gap in Malawi to the forefront of government policy changes and giving women a voice at the political level.

YFN’s Equal Pay Day event in 2025 brought women together to discuss the “Untapped Societal Potential due to the Persistent Gender Pay Gap.” This shift in narrative, driven by young women, places an increased emphasis on the value women have to the economy. YFN is working to reshape the idea that women are less by recognizing their potential to become integral members of society.

This is vital work, increasing awareness and empowering women across the country to be confident and demand equal pay. YFN is an effective example of how societal norms are shifting and how women are asking for more. The full potential for Malawi’s economic growth is being unlocked as women find their collective confidence to demand equal pay. Young women are at the forefront of calling for change, not just to benefit themselves, but to help everyone in Malawi.

With government support and legislative change to close the gender pay gap in Malawi, women will continue to rise and bring prosperity to their country. Empowering women and giving them financial autonomy will lead to poverty reduction, powering the economy to create a sustainable future. All Malawian women need is the space to succeed. 

– Hope Jowharian

Hope is based in Paris, France and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Poverty Among People With Albinism in Malawi

People With Albinism in MalawiMalawi has one of the highest rates of albinism in the world; an estimated one in 130 people is born with the genetic condition, more than 134,000 in total. Albinism causes a lack of melanin pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes, significantly increasing the vulnerability to sun damage and, therefore, skin cancer. Yet for those living with albinism in Malawi, health risks are only a fraction of the struggle.

Harmful superstitions have fueled discrimination and ritual attacks, with some erroneously believing that some body parts of people with albinism bring wealth or good fortune. These dangers leave individuals with albinism isolated and economically vulnerable. Growing advocacy efforts are helping to challenge stigma, improve access to protection and build safer, more inclusive opportunities for Malawians with albinism.

Poverty and Discrimination Among Malawians With Albinism

Of the 134,000 Malawians with albinism, 53,000 are primary and secondary school age. From an early age, many Malawian children with albinism face bullying and discrimination at school. Social exclusion, alongside misinformation about their condition, causes many to withdraw or drop out entirely.

Without a full education, opportunities for higher-paying or skilled employment become limited, increasing the likelihood of lifelong poverty. Those who struggle to find work are often pushed toward low-wage, outdoor labor, such as farming or manual jobs, which places them under direct sunlight for long hours and heightens health risks.

Health concerns further compound these economic barriers. As melanin helps protect the skin from ultraviolet exposure, people with albinism are highly susceptible to severe sunburn and skin cancer. Access to sunscreen, protective clothing and dermatology services is limited, particularly in rural areas. Both medical challenges and threats of violence trap individuals with albinism in a cycle where discrimination and poor health drastically narrow opportunities for mobility and economic participation.

The Association of Persons With Albinism in Malawi

The Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) is the country’s leading grassroots advocacy group for the rights, safety and economic inclusion of people with albinism. APAM documents attacks and human-rights violations, presses police and government to act and, through engagement with local communities, demands better protection and services. In recent years, the group has shifted its focus from emergency response to long-term inclusion.

It now implements school outreach programs to reduce stigma, supports leadership and entrepreneurship training to help members transition into safer, higher-quality work and advocates for policy measures. APAM also partners with health-focused NGOs to expand sunscreen distribution, vision care and dermatology referrals, recognizing that health protection and socioeconomic well-being are interlinked. By combining case documentation, public education and policy advocacy, APAM has helped place albinism on Malawi’s national agenda.

It has prompted the government and donors to commit to sustained funding for protection programs, a vital step in breaking the cycle of discrimination and poverty.

Standing Voice

Standing Voice is an international nonprofit working in Malawi (and across Africa) to deliver long-term, scalable solutions for people with albinism. Rather than focusing only on crisis response, the organization operates programs that prioritize individuals’ safety, attending school and participating confidently in public life. In the health sector, Standing Voice establishes clinical networks and provides access to sunscreen, dermatology and low-vision services.

These are critical interventions that enable people with albinism to participate in school or the world without being sidelined by illness. On the education and livelihoods front, the organization works to reintegrate children into schools and provide vocational and livelihood support. This enables adults with albinism to access safer and more sustainable employment rather than outdoor, high-risk labor.

Additionally, like APAM, Standing Voice undertakes advocacy to break cycles of stigma, violence and exclusion by amplifying the voices of people with albinism and influencing policy. Its holistic strategy links protection with economic empowerment, addressing both root causes and outcomes of poverty for Malawians with albinism.

Final Remarks

People with albinism in Malawi continue to face preventable dangers and barriers that limit both their safety and socioeconomic participation. Yet, the progress led by advocacy organizations, health initiatives and community education shows that these challenges are not inevitable. With continued investment in protection, accessible health care and inclusive employment, Malawians with albinism can build secure, independent futures.

– Elysha Din

Elysha is based in Guildford, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Expanding Access to Health Care in Malawi

Health Care in MalawiMalawi’s quest for universal health and development is defined by the Health Sector Strategic Plan III (HSSP III), which runs from 2023 to 2030. It builds on previous reforms, aligning with global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO’s triple billion objectives. This plan arrives after a decade marked by both dramatic health improvements and enduring challenges in Malawi.

Population growth, urbanization, poverty and vulnerability to epidemics persist; yet, the government, along with its partners, continues to push for a vision of equitable access to high-quality care and financial protection for every citizen.

Health Care in Malawi

The foundation of the health transformation in Malawi rests on nine pillars defined in HSSP III: service delivery, social determinants, infrastructure, human resources, medical products, digital health, health research, leadership/governance and health financing. The Health Benefits Package (HBP) delivers essential interventions targeting maternal health, child survival, infectious diseases and a rising burden of noncommunicable diseases.

Key reform highlights include integrating vertical programs into comprehensive, unified health platforms and scaling digital health records across the system. Additional reforms focus on decentralizing district-level planning, strengthening supply chains and implementing performance-based management for health care workers.

Beyond government engagement, key NGOs and public-private partnerships, such as the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM), expand essential services deep into rural areas. At the same time, new contracts incentivize client satisfaction and outreach.

Successes

Malawi has experienced one of Africa’s most rapid improvements in life expectancy, rising from 55.6 years in 2010 to 64.7 years in 2020. This represents an increase of more than nine years, outperforming many regional peers. This growth is largely due to dramatic reductions in mortality and infectious disease. Maternal mortality fell from 444 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010 to just 349 deaths per 100,000 in 2017, meeting and surpassing the previous HSSP II target.

Under-five mortality fell from 84.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 38.6 per 1,000 in 2020. Infant mortality also declined, dropping from 52.4 to 29 per 1,000 over the same period. Meanwhile, HIV prevalence among adults ages 15–49 declined from 9.1% in 2017 to 8.1% in 2020 and HIV-related deaths dropped dramatically to 0.63 per 1,000 people by 2020.

The quality of health care in Malawi has also improved, as evidenced by rising client satisfaction levels from 83% in 2020 to nearly 90% in 2022. There is also an increased adherence to minimum standards and routine client feedback. Financial risk protection, a crucial shield against poverty, now sits at an index of 97.45%, among Africa’s highest. Additionally, out-of-pocket payments account for just 11.9% of total health spending, a significant contributor to keeping families out of medical poverty.

Furthermore, mobile clinics operated by NGOs and CHAM have brought care to remote populations. This is evidenced by more than 309,000 visits in Mulanje District from 2011 to 2013, helping to close service gaps created by stockouts and workforce shortages. Most notably, before these reforms, only 46% of rural Malawians were within 5 km of a health facility; outreach and mobile solutions have improved reach for both preventive and curative care.

Challenges

The persistent struggles to fully realize the health vision in Malawi are rooted in resource limitations, workforce gaps, infrastructure deficits and systemic inefficiencies. Although HSSP III’s eight-year implementation costs exceed $31 billion, the annual anticipated funding is just $690 million, which is only about 17% of what is needed. Human resource shortages remain acute: half of public sector health positions are vacant and high turnover rates, especially in rural areas, significantly impact service quality.

Drug stockouts and infrastructure limitations further impair consistent care; just few of local facilities in the 2012 Oxfam study had a full drug supply and deficiencies have persisted. Fragmented health data systems challenge proper planning and outcome monitoring, while noncommunicable disease rates have risen to account for more than 32% of deaths, stretching resources beyond infectious disease priorities.

Equity issues persist; rural and remote communities continue to face the greatest barriers to accessing care, despite the presence of mobile clinics and outreach services. Additionally, public-private partnerships have helped fill crucial gaps. However, sustainability constraints, including delayed payments, policy inconsistencies and financial pressures, threaten the long-term viability of the initiative.

Service utilization rates, while increasing in some areas, often strain limited facility capacity and staff morale. Transport, housing and food costs for patients and their guardians in remote regions still present significant obstacles, underscoring the need for more robust socioeconomic support.

Conclusion

The health care sector reforms in Malawi, anchored by HSSP III and supported by strong partnerships, have catalyzed substantial improvements in life expectancy, health care quality and poverty reduction. The government’s commitment to integrated care platforms, digital health solutions and financial protection has expanded the service reach and impact.

Yet, enduring challenges in funding, staffing, infrastructure and equity must be resolved for the country to achieve its universal health coverage goals. Continued investment, cross-sectoral collaboration and adaptive leadership are essential for building on these successes and ensuring lasting health gains for all Malawians.

– Akash Ramaswamy

Akash is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Classrooms for Malawi: Poverty Alleviation Through Education

Classrooms for MalawiMalawi, located in Southeastern Africa, is considered one of the world’s most underserved countries. About 70% of the population lives on less than $2.15 per day; this figure is expected to increase to 71.3% soon.

The Borgen Project spoke with James Kelly, the current chair and a founding member of the Scotland-based charity Classrooms for Malawi. This charity has been operating since 2012 and its prime aim is alleviating poverty through education for the children of Malawi.

Education in Malawi

Primary school education became free in Malawi in 1994. Since then, an additional estimated 1.6 million children have been enrolled in schools. However, the funding for the additional classrooms needed to accommodate this enrollment increase has not matched the need. The lack of classroom space has been a factor in causing a high rate of children leaving education early.

Only 58% of primary school children in Malawi will finish the first four years of education and only 31% will make it to secondary school. Only 8% of students will complete their schooling entirely. From these statistics, girls make up 14.9%. Girls will often leave school during the vital years of their education due to numerous factors, including child marriages, teen pregnancies and the need to help with responsibilities at home.

About Classrooms for Malawi

Through renovating and building classrooms and other facilities and providing other forms of support, Classrooms for Malawi contributes to strengthening the country’s education system. These efforts align with the Malawi Government’s Agenda 2063 and the National Education Standards. The organization aims to expand access to quality education and create supportive learning environments that improve school retention rates.

It also works to achieve its goals by fostering sustainable partnerships between schools, groups and communities in the U.K. and those in Malawi. Kelly told The Borgen Project that the charity began as a group of friends united by a shared goal: to help address Malawi’s chronic shortage of classrooms, which had forced many children to learn under trees. The first group traveled to Malawi in June 2013, working in three locations—Misesa Primary School, Namulenga Girls Primary School and Mang’omba Primary School.

While preparing for that trip, the friends decided to formally establish the charity to ensure their support for Malawi would not be a one-off effort. Since that first visit, other groups have reached out to the charity to support its work, either by organizing trips to Malawi or by raising funds for Classrooms for Malawi’s projects and programs. When carrying out improvements, the charity hires local builders and purchases all materials within Malawi. This approach creates jobs for local communities and strengthens the local economy.

The Impact of Classrooms for Malawi

Since 2012, the charity has worked in 50 schools across 11 Districts in Malawi. These consist of 20 nurseries, 24 primary and six secondary schools. More than 36,000 children are now being educated daily in these 50 partner schools. They benefit from the many improvements the charity has provided to their educational environment.

Classrooms for Malawi’s work is guided by its Strategic Plan, which sets out the charity’s ambitions and actions. The plan is structured around nine pillars: Pillars 1–8 are drawn from the Malawi Government’s priorities for improving schools, while Pillar 9 is based on the Scotland Malawi Partnership’s framework for building sustainable partnerships.

The pillars include: providing safe, accessible and quality classrooms; improving water, sanitation and hygiene facilities; supplying adequate furniture and learning materials; encouraging the creation of school gardens; offsetting carbon emissions from the charity’s activities; ensuring daily school feeding programs; and fostering greater community involvement in education.

Building Lasting Classrooms in Malawi

Kelly explained that the charity aims to ensure all interventions are sustainable and well-supported. Structural improvements are carried out to a high standard to withstand Malawi’s harsh weather and to ensure the buildings last for many years.

Every project must be fully funded before it begins to guarantee completion. Each initiative is commissioned in full consultation with the local education department to align with existing school development plans. Once completed, the organization hands over the projects to the Education Department, strongly encouraging community ownership and care.

During his interview with The Borgen Project, Kelly shared an overview of one of the charity’s current projects. Classrooms for Malawi is converting a classroom at Nansomba Secondary School into a textile and design classroom. The renovation includes supplying materials and sewing machines, while the Education Department will appoint a new teacher so the subject can be added to the school’s curriculum.

This classroom will equip students with valuable life skills, such as using sewing machines to make and mend clothes. Importantly, it will also teach girls how to produce reusable sanitary pads, helping to improve hygiene and sanitation practices.

The Future

Speaking with Kelly, he noted that the challenges the charity faces in achieving its goals can at first seem insurmountable. Conditions in Malawi, such as funding shortages, high inflation, storm damage and fuel scarcity, are especially difficult for local schools and communities. His advice was not to let these ongoing challenges discourage people from supporting and helping their friends in Malawi.

Despite the challenges, the people of Malawi are renowned for their resilience and happy dispositions. They are welcoming and happy to share what they have. Malawi is known as “The Warm Heart of Africa.” It is also one of the most beautiful countries in the world and is a hidden gem for travelers.

– Katie Gray

Katie is based in Glasgow, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: James Kelly

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The Impacts of Savings Groups in Malawi

Savings Groups in MalawiMalawi is a low-income country in East Africa. It is one of the 10th most impoverished countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita and more than 50% of its population officially lives below the national poverty line. Many Malawians do not have access to formal banking due to a lack of banking infrastructure or a fundamental lack of personal wealth. Savings groups in Malawi have primarily replaced banking and have the potential to eradicate poverty in this country.

What Are Savings Groups?

Savings groups are small community-based groups, between 15 and 25 people, who each place an amount of money into a central holding, allowing them to save money on a small and relatively stable basis. They provide a transparent and democratic form of microfinance, serving as an alternative where formal banking is unavailable. Benefits include:

  • Loans become available to more impoverished people who cannot access them from formal institutions.
  • Young people can learn how to save, borrow and invest money in a safe environment, rather than going into adult finance without experience.
  • Women, generally one of the most vulnerable groups economically, can gain independence through savings groups.
  • Essential local infrastructure can be sustainably built and maintained.

Crucially, Plan International emphasizes that savings groups are vital in reaching the first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The SDGs are a set of international goals agreed upon by the U.N. and targeted for completion by 2030, with the first goal focused on eradicating global poverty in all its forms.

Impacts of VSLAs in Malawi

Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) are a version of savings groups in Malawi, organized at the village level rather than within smaller groups. They are widespread throughout the country. Impacts include:

  • Savings: Villages working under VSLAs have reported a 34% increase in savings over the last 1.5 to 3 years compared to villages without them.
  • Loans & Credit: Households that are part of a VSLA have increased access to credit and loans. In VSLA areas, the borrowing costs of people taking loans have fallen by 20%.
  • Businesses: VSLAs have correlated with a rise in the number of businesses and profits in Malawi, but household incomes have not yet changed. Although income rises with profits, the effect can be expected to be staggered. Businesses cannot realistically increase incomes until their profit gains prove to be sustainable rather than a one-off.
  • Food Security: Although savings groups in Malawi have not yet had a significant impact on food security, according to Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), they have helped mitigate the negative effects of droughts. On average, VSLAs have also increased food consumption by one meal per week, showing gradual improvements.
  • Women: VSLAs have had a clear positive impact on women. Malawian women in savings groups report being more empowered, with greater ability to make decisions for themselves and their households.

Malawi is also pursuing digital means for its financial future. According to IPA, the main focus currently is on digitizing records and monitoring how it improves access to finance across the country.

How Effective Are Savings Groups in Malawi?

The IPA report shows that saving groups have been incredibly influential in Malawi. They have provided a vehicle through which the Malawian people can bring themselves up financially. Women have significantly benefited, able to become increasingly economically and socially independent. While there is still a long way to go in eradicating poverty in countries like Malawi, saving groups have proven to be a reliable solution in many aspects and will help push the world toward reaching the primary SDG by 2030.

– Oliver Evans

Oliver is based in Devon, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Force For Good Foundation and Nourish The Children Initiative

Nourish The ChildrenThe Skincare industry is often catered towards luxury buyers, utilizing bold, minimalist designs and cutting edge technology. Specifically, NU Skin, a leading global brand with more than $1.7 billion in revenue in 2024, has made an emphasis on philanthropy. With such earnings, NU Skin has formed two philanthropy organizations.

The Force for Good Foundation

The main organization, the Force For Good Foundation, is a comprehensive nonprofit that focuses on improving the quality of life worldwide. Despite working with disaster relief and coastline preservation, the organization focuses on lifting children out of poverty without geographical constraints. Having been active for over 20 years in 50 countries and impacting more than 100,000 children, the Force For Good Foundation has undoubtedly been a leading organization in poverty reduction.

The secondary organization, Nourish the Children, is a for-profit social initiative focusing on combating hunger and malnutrition. Hunger plays a major role in adolescent poverty, causing 3.1 million deaths under the age of 5. Recognizing that at the bare minimum, children need to survive, NU Skin dedicates additional effort through Nourish the Children.

NU Skin’s Impact

NU Skin’s organizations undertook significant projects in Africa. The Force For Good Foundation has three programs in Malawi centered around conservation, sustainability, and access to clean water. The programs include the School of Agriculture for Family Independence (SAFI), Seeds of Hope, and Wells of Hope. SAFI introduces residents to sustainable farming techniques, with an increased yield of 700% after implementation.

The Wells of Hope, which built clean wells in villages each serving 500 people, reduces waterborne illnesses such as dysentery. Paired with Seeds of Hope’s preservation of native vegetation such as the sacred Baobab tree, villages have become increasingly secure and stable.

Food Distribution

In addition to development, Nourish the Children provides direct relief through distributing food to malnourished children in Malawi. NU Skin partners with food manufacturers to create VitaMeal, a nutrient rich vegetarian meal designed for malnourished children. Based on customer’s additional donations when a product is purchased, meals are manufactured and sent to Malawi. As each unit can feed up to 30 children for a month, more than 70,000 children receive food a day.

So far, the impact NU Skin’s Force For Good Foundation has made is monumental. As of 2023, the organization has given more than $3.5 million to advance the missions of the foundation. In the same year, NU Skin chartered 30 grants. Nonprofits need a stable amount of funding to stay afloat. On top of donations, NU Skin is dedicating a share of revenue to fund the foundation demonstrates significant philanthropic commitments and a desire to create value for the impoverished.

Companies such as NU Skin are leaders in promoting philanthropy in a luxurious industry. With noticeable success and impact on impoverished children, other high-end companies may follow suit. After all, a wealthy consumer base holds the most power to transform living conditions in impoverished communities.

– Owen Wu

Owen is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Organizations Reducing Child Poverty in Malawi

Child Poverty in MalawiMore than half of the children in Malawi live in poverty. A report conducted by UNICEF stated that all children (0-17 years) in Malawi experience the highest levels of deprivation in sanitation, education and housing. This is particularly worse for children in rural areas, as 76.6% against 24.4% in urban areas experience multi-dimensional poverty.

A child experiencing multi-dimensional poverty is defined by their inability to access specific goods and services simultaneously. In Malawi, poverty is nationwide, but the disparity between urban and rural areas, alongside the layers of poverty, is severe. However, several charities and programs have created solutions to end the cycle of child poverty and strengthen Malawi’s youth and future.

Open Arms Malawi

Open Arms Malawi aims to break the cycle of child poverty through community-led support. By engaging directly with families, Open Arms equips and empowers them with the resources necessary to raise healthy children and achieve self-sufficiency. From birth, it provides infant care to ensure babies survive their early years.

The organization not only supplies families with medicines, milk and food formulas but also covers medical expenses to prevent delays in treatment. Additionally, Open Arms offers parenting advice and education on nutrition and child care, along with monitoring growth charts and health status to create a supportive system for both children and parents, with goals being met. In 2024, 300 children had their health monitored and were provided with food, clothing, educational and medical advice throughout the year.

Self-sufficiency is encouraged through education and collaboration with families. By providing both short-term and long-term resources, sustainable change is driven through learning and developing independence. This strengthens Malawi’s youth from their earliest years and creates a brighter future for them.

Starfish Malawi

Among Starfish Malawi’s various projects aimed at empowering vulnerable children is Glad Tidings Orphan Care. Based in Ngolowindo, a rural village in Malawi’s Salima Lakeshore District, the project is staffed by just six workers. Through home visits, workshops for guardians and medical and nutritional support, the project has improved the lives of 240 children in the area.

Like Open Arms, Glad Tidings’ community-driven support is at the heart of its work. Glad Tidings collaborates with parents, caregivers and community members to carry out its programs and support children in need. Additionally, it provides accessible nursery education as an early intervention for disadvantaged children, encouraging physical, intellectual, creative, social and emotional development.

Currently, 525 children are registered at the GTO nurseries, receiving free nursery education. As such, these orphaned and disadvantaged children can access education, which provides stability and security, a key solution to tackling the cycle of child poverty in Malawi.

Hope4Malawi

Hope4Malawi’s Youth Program concentrates on the final stages of a child’s development as they prepare to leave school. The character development component teaches young people essential life and leadership skills that they can apply in their personal and professional lives, ultimately influencing their community. Hope4Malawi received sponsorships, which have granted full scholarships to 27 students and half scholarships to 28 more students.

Additionally, it has also provided educational resources. This changes the trajectory of the families who couldn’t attend school and provides children and families with an opportunity to reach their potential. Conversely, vocational and business skills are taught to empower young people to secure a livelihood.

These include problem-solving skills, academic skills for employment and business skills to broaden job opportunities and develop business ideas. This not only provides a foundation for young adults to build their careers and enhance employment prospects but also enables them to explore their own dreams. Hope4Malawi helps strengthen Malawi’s youth by encouraging them to turn those dreams into reality.

Going Forward

The community acts as the foundation of these initiatives, working to end child poverty and make a stronger generation of children in Malawi. By addressing and finding solutions to issues faced by babies from birth, the Open Arms support system can transform the lives of children and parents. As children grow, receive an education and seek employment, community-driven efforts persist through organizations like Starfish Malawi and Hope4Malawi’s Youth Program.

These organizations not only offer a helping hand but also help stabilize children from a young age and tackle the multifaceted poverty they encounter. By increasing funding, resources and raising awareness, these community-driven solutions would further strengthen Malawi’s youth and create a brighter future across the country.

– Jule Riemenschneider

Jule is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Ways the Government is Fighting Poverty in Malawi

Poverty in MalawiIn 2019, an estimated 70% of Malawi’s population was living in severe poverty, while 51% could not consume a survivable amount of calories per day. Poverty in Malawi is intense, with millions struggling daily and the challenge is worsening as the population grows rapidly. Despite this, the Malawian government continues to fight poverty. Here are three ways it is working to address the crisis:

The Malawi Growth and Development Strategy

The Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) was a policy started in 2018, aiming to reduce poverty in Malawi and improve education, health care and sanitation standards. Primarily, the MGDS focused on creating employment opportunities in agriculture, tourism and trade to enable more people to earn money and uplift the country’s overall economy.

Although not entirely successful, the increase in agricultural jobs led to an expansion of food production. Similarly, construction jobs improved the country’s infrastructure, giving many a substantially larger income while also strengthening community development and boosting rural livelihoods.

Mtukula Pakhomo Program

The Mtukula Pakhomo Program, also called “Malawi’s Social Cash Transfer Programme” (SCTP), is an initiative the government founded to help households living in poverty in Malawi. The program aims to reduce poverty and malnutrition while boosting school enrollment through bi-monthly cash transfers that the receivers can use.

By 2017, 11 years after the program began, more than 174,000 households had received support, enabling families to purchase nutritious food and secure adequate shelter. Extra money was gifted to families with children as an incentive to send them to school, increasing the number of children enrolled in education by an estimated 20%.

Beyond education, the SCTP empowered households to invest in small businesses and access health care more easily. It also helped reduce reliance on negative coping mechanisms, strengthening long-term resilience against poverty.

Women’s Empowerment Schemes

Gender equality is essential to ending poverty, as uplifting women and expanding their opportunities significantly increases household income. In Malawi, one strategy the government adopted was to strengthen women’s voices in leadership. Several key ministerial positions were filled by women and a 40/60 percent rule on employment was introduced to ensure greater inclusion in decision-making.

When women are represented in these critical positions, it inspires those at home to pursue work with confidence, allowing them to earn an income, support their families and boost overall household prosperity. This shift also challenges traditional gender roles and empowers younger generations of girls to prioritize education. It further fosters more inclusive policies that address community needs, creating a ripple effect of long-term social and economic development.

Conclusion

Poverty in Malawi is still a significant issue, with an estimated 13 million people still struggling in 2025. However, the government’s conscious efforts toward a country without poverty bring hope for a brighter future for many while showing how important the fight against poverty is still in the modern world.

– Daisy McDonald

Daisy is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr