Malawi
Direct Aid have taken on the challenge to raise money for 560 Aids orphans living in extreme poverty in Gonawambo, South East of Malawi.
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THE FACTS: Malawi, South East Africa.
Located between Zambia, Tanzania & Mozambique in South East Africa, Malawi is ranked 159 out of 174 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index & is among the world's least developed & most densely populated countries
Life expectancy for Malawians will be cut by 20 years by 2010 mainly because of the impact of HIV/AIDS & poverty (current life expectancy is 48 years).
The situation is further exacerbated due to the low levels of literacy, the lack of access to clean water & the inadequacy of health care facilities.
Around 1/3 of the total population is malnourished & the growth of 50% of the children under 5 is stunted due to the effects of malnutrition.
AIDS is the leading cause of death for 15 - 49 year olds. More than 550,000 children have lost one or both parents due to the disease & many more have been made vulnerable.
The majority of Malawians rely on subsistence farming, but due to natural disasters & the precarious food supply, the country is in constant need of thousands of tonnes of food aid
Despite heavy dependence on outside aid, the aid offered has decreased substantially since 2000.
The Malawi Gonawambo Centre
There are 1000 AIDS orphans in the rural area Gonawambo, 35km southwest of Blantyre in Malawi.
The Centre seeks to improve the living standards of orphans in the area by feeding & caring for them whilst they are in their homes but registered by the Centre.
The Centre has 560 registered orphans needing education & basic necessities.
Most of the children are not at school due to lack of food, shelter, clothing & school fees
The children do not stay at the Centre, but come to the shelter for their meals every day. This is so the children are not taken away from their home environment or relatives.
Assistance is also given to relatives who care for some of these children but find it impossible to provide for them.
The Centre is also used as a Nursery, Primary & Secondary school.