Today 1,890 babies will be born in Malawi

320 will become orphans, half because of HIV/AIDS. 87 will die before their first birthday from malnutrition or illness. And that is why Open Arms exists.

For orphaned children, staying with the wider family is the best solution but due to serious health conditions, malnutrition or in cases of abandonment this is not always possible.

In response to the rising number of maternal deaths and orphaned babies in Malawi, Davona Church and Margaret East, opened the doors of Open Arms’ first Infant Home in 1995 caring for 27 newborn orphaned babies.

In 2000 and Open Arms Malawi was set up as a registered UK charity and funding trust for Open Arms Infant Homes.

Since 1995 the single infant home has expanded to two infant homes, a family base care programme, nine nursery schools and an outreach program that covers the whole of southern Malawi.

Open Arms Infant Home are the only organisation in southern Malawi able to feed, house and care for orphaned babies and then support their return to their home communities when they are fit and healthy making sure they achieve independence and thrive at home.  Thousands of children and families have been supported by our services and we plan to be around for many more children who need our help.

Why Malawi?

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries. The population is growing and is expected to reach 23 million by 2025. Up to 74% of the population live below the international poverty line of $2.15 a day.  Maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world and about 10 women die each day through childbirth.  Three million people have no access to clean drinking water, about 11% of the population are HIV+, and there are over 1,300,000 orphaned children.    

While we cannot fix all the problems in Malawi, there is a special role for us to play in the lives of the children that we care for.  By giving short term vital support when a child's life is at risk means that they can survive their early years and go back to their families and communities happy and healthy with the hope of a brighter future together.