As 2025 draws to a close, we're reflecting on a big year for Open Arms Malawi. It really has been a time of resilience, progress and impact. Every milestone has been powered by the generosity and support of a global community inspired to make a difference. You are part of this, and for that we say thank you!
From a single child
Our story began when Malawi was at the height of the AIDS crisis. Children were being orphaned at an alarming rate, and communities were overwhelmed. In a small room in Malawi, a baby was placed into the arms of someone wanting to help.
That single moment sparked a movement that would go on to change thousands of lives.
From that first child, Open Arms grew into a small but busy infant home supporting the Malawi Department of Social Welfare. It quickly expanded to a second home, a home for toddlers, five homes for older children, and a network of community nursery schools and community outreach services. At the heart of it all was one promise 'to make sure every child survives and grows up with the love of a family.'
Fast forward to 2025 and 25 years since Open Arms Malawi began in Harrogate, and our work has continued to evolve to meet Malawi's needs.
Malawi has made significant progress in reducing mother to child HIV transmission and improving infant survival rates. But poverty and hunger remain threats to families every single day. And that’s where we are needed the most urgently, strengthening families and communities so that no child has to be separated from their loved ones.
The importance of family
This year, we achieved one of the most significant changes in our history to date, which is the full transition from supporting babies and children in temporary residential care to supporting all referrals within their families and home communities.
This milestone means that children who once faced uncertain futures can be raised successfully in loving and supported family environments from birth. We are now supporting 70 babies and young children in this way with incredible results. These are not just numbers, they are families we see and speak to every day and you can see the complexity of some of their stories on our website.
Our commitment to families goes way beyond survival nowadays.
This year, we tested a programme called the Graduation programme, which is designed to support families out of extreme poverty for good. The first part of this is a sustainable agriculture project, which delivered a 260% increase in crop yields over the 25 families involved in the pilot and meant that 137 people now have enough to eat for the whole year.
After this success, we’ve expanded the work to 50 families for the 2026 harvest. It starts with a good harvest for individuals but this three year programme it is so much more than that, it gives learning, education, empowerment, resilience, and a route out of extreme poverty that will not only continue once our support has ended but will be passed on to wider communities.
As well as these newer developments, we have helped hundreds of families into independence, supported family bonding, provided education fees, travel costs and apprenticeship schemes for young adults living independently. And in remote communities, 600 preschool children continue to receive daily meals and a nursery education, giving them the foundation they need to thrive.
Powered by community
Behind these achievements is a network of connections, partnerships and people.
In Malawi we’ve strengthened ties with the Ministries of Gender and Agriculture, making sure our work responds to the country’s evolving needs. We’ve shared best practices with local NGOs, advocated for children’s rights, and welcomed visitors and volunteers to see and contribute to these changes first hand.
Outside of Malawi, we are beyond proud of the global community of supporters we work with and are glad that you have chosen to be part of that.
Of course, this year wasn’t without its challenges. Political changes, price instability, fluctuating supply and demand of core resources and financial pressures are becoming the norm for a small charity. But thanks to your support, we have adapted, connected with supporters and local communities and our services have ultimately grown stronger.
It was an absolute pleasure to celebrate our 25th anniversary with such an engaged and passionate community of supporters all committed to making a difference. From bake sales, marathons, mountain climbs, sporting events and social occasions, you have done it all!
What next?
Every conversation, every gift, every event you’ve been part of has helped us create a future where more children are safe, families are strong, and communities have what they need to thrive.
But we obviously want to do more!!
We want to expand our community based care model so that no child is separated from their family, grow our graduation programme to see more families move beyond poverty and create opportunities for vulnerable groups. With your help, we can make this happen.
From all of us, at this special time of year, we thank you for standing with us, for believing in us and being part of our global family.
Your donation will help children in Malawi grow up healthy with the love of a family
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