Children & Families supports Malawi’s first ever degree programme for Social Workers

Malawi is a country facing an overwhelming crisis of 1 million children orphaned and vulnerable as a result of HIV/AIDS. Families and communities are stretched to breaking point as they seek to care for these children. They do however, want to be able to provide that care themselves, keeping children within their own extended families, communities and country.

On a day to day basis they need practical help: food, clothing, clean water, school fees. However, in order to sustain families and communities in the longer term the country needs:

• Initiatives at local level to recruit carers
• A structure of support for those carers, including financial support, training in helping children grieving through loss and trauma
• Safeguards established through child welfare policies and procedures which promote best practice in the care of vulnerable children
• Social workers who understand the issues, are respected by the communities, and have the skills and knowledge to effect change and mobilise resources.

The country’s first ever degree programme for Social Workers, recently established at The University in Chiradzulu, in the south of Malawi, is therefore crucial, but not surprisingly, grossly underfunded. Children and Families International Foundation has responded with a range of initiatives:

• Text books and other resources have been collected in the UK and shipped to Malawi
• Direct teaching input has been provided over a short period
• Support and ideas have been offered regarding the course curriculum, practice placements and social work registration
• A bursary scheme has been established to support students unable to meet tuition fees.

The student bursary scheme provided through Children and Families International Foundation is currently enabling one of the most promising students to complete her studies following the death of key family members and the likelihood of her having to relinquish her university place through lack of funding.