Pemphero was born in January 2023, but just one week after her birth, her mother sadly passed away in hospital. Her grandmother, Rachel, suddenly found herself stepping into the role of primary carer for her only grandchild.
With no steady income to buy formula milk, Rachel relied on infant formula provided by the hospital. When supplies ran out, she tried everything she could to keep Pemphero fed — buying small sachets of milk when possible and, in moments of desperation, resorting to diluted sugar water. Both Rachel and Pemphero were struggling, and Rachel feared she might lose her granddaughter. Isolated and overwhelmed, she felt she had no one to turn to.
Open Arms received a referral from the Hospital Social Welfare Officer, and Pemphero and Rachel were enrolled in the Open Arms Community-Based Care Programme. From the outset, they began receiving regular home visits, emotional and practical support for Rachel, along with formula milk and essential items for Pemphero. The impact was transformational. Pemphero’s health improved, and she began to grow and thrive.
In Autumn 2024, Rachel and Pemphero were also enrolled in the Open Arms' Pilot Graduation Programme. Their progress was remarkable. In their first year alone, they produced 350kg of maize flour, providing vital nutrition for the household and the potential for future income. They are now on the full programme and will receive support over the next three years as they continue to grow crops for both sustenance and sale.
Today, Pemphero is three years old and thriving. She shares a close, loving bond with Rachel, whom she proudly calls her mother, and is well connected to the wider family. They are supported within their community, with friends and neighbours who can step in when help is needed. Pemphero is expected to start nursery school soon, taking her first steps into education.
Both Pemphero and Rachel remain deeply grateful for the care, encouragement, and long-term support provided by the Open Arms team in Malawi—support that has given them stability, hope, and a future.
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