In 1995, Davona Church and Margaret East opened the doors of the first Open Arms Infant Home in Malawi, caring for 27 newborn orphaned babies. It was a direct response to local families facing crisis with nowhere to turn.

As the need grew, so did our response. In 2000, Open Arms Malawi was established in the UK as a registered charity to raise funds and build partnerships to support the work in Malawi. 

Since we started, we have listened, learned and evolved. We know that survival alone is not enough though. Children need attachment, belonging and connection, which are things that only families and communities can provide. So we slowly transitioned from providing residential care to a community based model that keeps all children at home and strengthens the families around them.

Today, Open Arms continues to be a partnership of two independent but deeply connected organisations working as one. Open Arms Infant Homes in Malawi leads all programme delivery on the ground, working directly with families, communities and the Social Welfare Department. Open Arms Malawi provides the fundraising and strategic support that makes that work possible.

Together, we support babies who are referred to us through the Social Welfare department. We help ultra poor families move out of extreme poverty for good and we strengthen early years provision across remote communities.

Why Malawi?

Malawi is rich in social capital, with strong family networks, community leadership and a deep culture of mutual support. But with 70% of people living on less than $2.15 a day and around 100 babies dying every day before their first birthday, even the strongest communities are under enormous pressure.

We are a small organisation, but our holistic, locally led model creates meaningful change for children, for families and for whole communities.

Our vision — Brighter futures for Malawi's children.

Our mission — Strengthening the family unit so children can be raised within their communities and achieve their potential.