Malawi, The Warm Heart of Africa

Malawi is more stable and less dangerous than its neighbours. People here are genuinely friendly and enjoy spending time with, and getting to know, you. Malawians are interested in who you are, where you come from and why you have come to Malawi. They are proud of their country and are happy that you have come to visit. Most will gladly show you around.

Many Malawians survive on subsistence farming. They grow just enough maize and beans to feed their family. The women dehusk the maize, dry it, soak it, then take it to the local maize mill where it is ground to a fine power. This powder is laid out in the sun to dry, then stored, awaiting cooking. Cooking is over firewood, which is usually collected locally, often by cutting down trees.

Women do most of the work and gender inequality is standard. Dress is conservative; except in Blantyre and Lilongwe, women wear long skirts, not trousers.

When they are not farming, days are filled with washing clothes, resting and ‘chatting’. Just like other African countries, music, singing and dancing are an important part of life in Malawi.

Few children complete primary school and even fewer complete secondary school. Children help with farming and you will often see young children on the side of the road, nursing babies, and selling things such as mushrooms in season. They use the money to buy school supplies, including soap, as they are often sent home from school if they are not wearing a clean school uniform.

Orphans in Malawi

Like many third world countries, pregnancy complications are a common cause of death in Malawi. Pregnancies are often poorly spaced, giving the mother insufficient time to recover. Combined with poverty and poor health, it is not uncommon for women die within 2 years of giving birth. Fathers find it difficult, if not impossible, to care for a newborn.

Traditionally, the child’s extended family (older sister, aunt, grandmother, etc) has usually taken the orphaned children in and cared for them. However, today many young children are left to fend for themselves and fight off destitution because the extended family has been overstretched with the growing number of orphans. Vulnerable and desperate, these children easily fall into child labor, sexual exploitation, illiteracy, poverty-and therefore HIV infection.

HIV / AIDS – Africa’s crisis

You have probably heard about HIV/AIDS in Africa. Combined with poverty and other health issues, this illness has changed the face of African society.

No one knows the infection rates. The stigma associated with HIV/AIDS means that people often decline tests. Medication is most effective when taken in the earliest stages of HIV – it helps stop full-blown AIDS developing. All too often, even when medication is available, it often doesn’t reach those in the earliest stages of HIV – we simply don’t know who they are.

Malawi has one of the highest infection rates in the world. Over 14% of the population has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, but the real infection rate is probably much higher. Life expectancy has plummeted to around 40.

HIV/AIDS primarily affects working age adults. The epidemic has left over 1 million children orphaned. Usually, orphaned children are taken in by their extended family. However, grandparents also rely on working age adults to support them. With many of their children ill or deceased, grandparents struggle to feed themselves, let alone another mouth.

The Malawian Government takes the matter seriously. HIV/AIDS education is addressed in the school curriculum. All school textbooks state ‘you cannot catch AIDS by sharing books’. They teach about the ABC of AIDS prevention; abstinence, being faithful and condoms. In addition, a national media and poster campaign educate about HIV/AIDS prevention.