Heal Our Malawi

As lovely as Malawians are, life is not easy for them. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, and has an extremely low life expectancy at 43.8 years. The main cause for this is AIDS. The percentage of the population infected with AIDS in Malawi is a staggering 14%. Another major killer is malaria, which kills thousands of Malawians every year. Even though it is preventable, many Malawians cannot afford prophylactics, cures or even a simple net to keep malaria carrying mosquito’s out.

This results in thousands of homeless orphans who’s families have been decimated. The number of orphanages is growing but nowhere near where it needs to be. Approximately 850,000 children under the age of 18 have been housed in orphanages in Malawi and approximately 50% of these are as a direct result of AIDS deaths of one or both parents.

Most of you will be aware of Madonna and how she has adopted two Malawian children. As you have probably heard in the press, she has received massive criticism for “abducting” two Malawians, who will now be given opportunities most Malawians could never dream of. What the press fails to mention is how much Madonna has done and given to the Malawi cause. She has been extremely generous and should be given credit for this.

Anyway this section is not about Madonna. It is about how we can help Malawi. Malawi has given so much to us over the years and we want to do as much as possible to repay what we can. We think the best way to do this is to give a portion of profits towards orphanages, mosquito nets and the poor Malawians in general, as well as giving people, be they guests, tourists or other Malawians the opportunity to make personal contributions.

This does not mean that you necessary have to come on a Malawian Style tour to give a contribution. Below is a list of foundations that could really do with your help.

Depending on the group’s feelings on the matter, we can try to organize visits to the orphanages on route, even if it is just for an hour or so to donate old clothes, food, etc and appreciate how lucky we are.

Any help in any way for this cause, which is purely voluntary, would be immensely appreciated by the people of Malawi.

Below are a few useful websites which accept online donations:

www.openarmsmalawi.org
www.ministryofhope.org
www.vimba.co.uk
www.worldswimagainstmalaria.com