Malawi
Located in southwest Africa, the Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country bordered by Mozamique to the east, south, and southwest, Zambia to the west, and Tanzania to the north. Lake Malawi, the 10th largest lake in the world, occupies the majority of the country’s eastern border. The north-south Great Rift Valley, which runs through the center of the country, is flanked by mountain ranges and high, narrow, elongated plateaus. In the higher elevations, Malawi is cooler than many other African countries, but the lowlands are hot, humid and tropical. Natural resources include limestone, hydropower, uranium, coal, and bauxite.
Malawi, a former British protectorate (from 1891), became a self-governed nation on July 6, 1964. One-party rule under the presidency of Dr. Hastings Banda lasted for 30 years, but in 1994 the Malawian people voted for a new form of government. As a result, the country held their first free democratic multiparty elections that year, voting in Bakili Mazuli as president. A decade later, current president and economist Bingu wa Mutharika took office amid pressure to alleviate the country’s deteriorating economy.
Eighty-two percent of Malawians live in rural areas and are engaged in farming. Agriculture products include corn, sugarcane, cotton, tea, vegetables, nuts, cattle, and goats. Severe food insecurity in Malawi has afflicted approximately 4 million people—more than a million of whom are children under age five or pregnant women. The chronic food crisis is a major cause of malnutrition and has increased the risk of diseases.
Drought, fluctuating trade expenses, high transport costs, few skilled laborers, and a deteriorating transportation infrastructure are the primary reasons that this largely agriculture-dependent economy is struggling. Malawi is ranked in the bottom eight percent of the world’s least developed countries on the human development index. Nearly 53 percent of people live below the poverty threshold, the inflation rate is 28 percent, and more than three-quarters of the population live on less than $2 per day. Nearly 75 percent of secondary school-age children are either working or staying home to care for their families instead of receiving valuable education.
Despite attempts at economic reform, the government continues to face challenges due to a rapidly growing population and the increasing number of HIV and AIDS cases. The HIV prevalence rate is 14 percent; nearly 1 million people in the country are living with the disease. More than 550,000 children have lost one of both of their parents to HIV and AIDS. In addition, the threat of cholera remains high in Malawi due to outbreaks during the rainy season (November to April); this becomes a huge risk in flood situations because of the possible breakdown of water and sanitation capabilities.
Why So Many Orphans
It is estimated that Malawi has a population of over 17 million. About two thirds of the population (11 million) are under the age of 25. Nine million are under the age of 18! Almost 3 million are orphans or children vulnerable to malnutrition, disease and death. These children very often lack parental care, have inadequate shelter and limited access to education and healthcare. As such they are often at increased risk of exploitation and abuse.*
According to Save the Children Foundation there is an acute shortage of teachers and physical infrastructure. Many children do not graduate elementary school. Causes of the drop out rate include the inability to purchase materials to attend school, the need for labor at home. Girls face even greater barriers, including early pregnancy and marriage.
*USAID