Almost half of Malawi's children under five are orphaned, largely due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic which has impacted the country severely. Traditionally, orphans have been incorporated into the families of relatives. However, the current crisis is straining this support system. As a result, rural communities are struggling to feed, clothe and educate the orphans in their midst.
In several of the areas where Outreach International works, community members have come together to deal with this problem. Rather than constructing orphanages, which could institutionalize the children and alienate them from the community, they are seeking ways to care for orphans alongside other children.
They have built schools to educate the children, especially orphans, and are growing food in community gardens to feed them. These shared vegetable plots also double up as demonstration gardens -- showing villagers modern agricultural techniques.
To learn more about Outreach International's work in Malawi, click here.
To read an earlier Sustainable Good posting on the impact of HIV/AIDS, click here.
-Matthew Bolton
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