After losing her mother just days after birth, Tadala's future was uncertain. Thanks to early care, family support and practical help from Open Arms, she is now thriving back home with her aunt and building a brighter future alongside her family.
When Tadala's mother sadly passed away in June 2022, Tadala was only four days old. Her aunt immediately stepped in to care for her tiny niece, determined to give her the best possible start. But after just two weeks, it became clear that Tadala was struggling.
Without enough food and unable to afford the milk she desperately needed, her aunt turned to Social Welfare for help.
In July 2022, Tadala arrived at Open Arms Infant Home in Mangochi weighing just 3kg.
With early care and support, Tadala gradually gained weight and grew stronger. She became a healthy little girl and remained at the Infant Home, where her aunt and older cousin visited her regularly.
Through these visits, she formed a close and loving bond with them both. Over the next few years, Tadala flourished, growing into a quiet but confident little girl with a big appetite and a love of mealtimes.
In October 2025, Tadala returned home to live with her aunt, alongside the other children leaving Mangochi Infant Home. Her family had spent time preparing for this important transition with support from the Open Arms team. Her aunt and uncle received training in sustainable farming techniques to help them build a more secure future.
As the family did not own any land, Open Arms purchased a plot for them, giving Tadala and her family the opportunity to grow and harvest their own maize.
Tadala quickly settled into life at home. She began attending nursery school with her older cousin and enjoyed spending time with her family and becoming part of her local community. Before long, she had made new friends and was happily balancing school, play and family life.
Throughout this transition, the Open Arms team has continued to visit regularly, providing fortified porridge and ongoing support as the family adjusts and grows together.
The family are delighted with the progress they have made. In their very first year of farming, they harvested an incredible 16 bags of maize. As the household typically uses around one bag each month, having a surplus after their first harvest was both exciting and encouraging.
Tadala's aunt is now exploring ways to sell some of the extra maize to generate an income for the family. Over the next two years, they also plan to grow groundnuts and soya beans, using the skills, knowledge and resources provided by Open Arms to strengthen their harvests and move steadily towards self-sufficiency.
Although Tadala's life began with great uncertainty, today she is thriving in the love and care of her family and community. Her aunt is overjoyed to have her home, and the whole family is grateful to be together again. Tadala's story is a powerful reminder of what is possible when early intervention, family love and practical support come together to give a child the chance to flourish.
It costs just £40 a month to provide life-saving milk powder for an infant like Tadala. Your generous donations are keeping families together even in the most difficult of times.
Your donation will help children in Malawi grow up healthy with the love of a family
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