Giving Children in Rural Malawi the Chance of an Early Years Education
Early years education is crucial for development of children, especially in Malawi’s rural communities where access to education is often limited. Open Arms is a non-profit making a significant impact in the lives of children in Malawi by providing early years education to over 600 children living in rural villages.
Open Arms funds nine Nursery Schools in southern Malawi, offering a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn, play and grow. They cater for children between 3 and 6 years old, and provide a curriculum focused on literacy, numeracy and social development. The importance of early years education cannot be overstated. Research has shown that children who receive quality early years education are more likely to perform better academically, have better social skills, and are more likely to succeed in life and break out of the cycle of poverty. Unfortunately, many children in rural communities do not have access to quality education, which puts them at a disadvantage.
These Nursery Schools also play an important role in helping prevent malnutrition. Nearly 50% of under-five children in Malawi have stunted growth caused by malnutrition. Children who attend the schools receive a daily nutritious meal of fortified Lukini Phala, a vitamin enriched porridge. This supports the growth and development of the children, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition. For some children this can be the only meal they receive in a day!
Open Arms works closely with local communities, building trusted relationships with village leaders. This means they can work in partnership with communities to run the nursery schools. A teacher, an assistant and food are all paid for by Open Arms, but the village own and run the schools. They have become an invaluable resource to local communities, who are also encouraged to use them for activities that benefit the whole village.
The impact of Open Arm’s work goes beyond education. It’s providing a safe space for children to develop and learn, which is essential for their wellbeing. It’s creating employment opportunities for members of local communities, empowering parents to support their children’s education and giving children the right to a quality education regardless of where they live.
By supporting Open Arms Malawi you can make a significant impact in the lives of children, families and local communities, ensuring that children living in Malawi’s rural communities have access to an early years education and vital nutrition. For more information on how you can get involved visit our website www.openarmsmalawi.org or get in contact with a member of our team at hello@openarmsmalawi.org.
Click here to watch a video of Mauwa Nursery School.
Open Arms Malawi is a UK registered charity (register number 1171686) dedicated to raising funds to support vulnerable children, their families and their communities in Malawi.