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A look back on 2020

It has undoubtedly been a year like no other and we are beyond grateful to you for your support and our wonderful team in Malawi for their dedication and commitment.  As we look back on 2020, we bring you thank yous from some of the people who you have supported.

2021 will continue to have it's challenges but together we will carry on providing life changing care to children in Malawi, making sure we are there for as many children and families as we need to be.

Thank you from a few people you have helped this year

Thanks from Open Arms Malawi 2020

Covid 19 in Malawi

Following medical advice, we decided to put our homes on lockdown in April, to reduce risks to our children and staff.  As Malawi started to shut down services, we could not simply close our homes. Instead we decided to limit movement around them as much as possible. We also launched our biggest fundraising effort yet.

Your support meant that

  • We continued to pay 40 care staff to lockdown onsite
  • Training was given on hand washing, social distancing and staying safe
  • Two hand washing stations were set up at both homes
  • We secured additional equipment – an oxygen concentrator / medicines / beds / food to support our team
  • We continued to pay 40 members of staff who were unable to work
  • Urgent referrals were accepted from Social Welfare 
Mother And Nafe Is Away We R Family Rosemaries

Opening up services

On 8th October with cases still relatively low in Malawi, we were pleased to support our team with reopening our homes and restart our community work.

Your ongoing support meant that

  • Children went back to school and vocational training
  • Staff came back to work
  • Staff who had been locked down took their annual leave to spend time with their families
  • All families receiving community support were visited
  • Nursery schools opened and received food and support
  • Over 300 agricultural packs were distributed to families to help them grow their own food.
Chisomo Sitting On Starter Pack

Planning for the future

This year has seen a 40% drop in funding. At the same time demand for funding has increased due to inflation continuing to impact the buying power of our funds. On top of this it cost an additional £7k a month to lock down our homes and more for the extra equipment and supplies needed to facilitate the lockdown, all at a time when fundraising was paused.

Our community of supporters were incredible and we were able to navigate some of this but it has sadly resulted in a reduction in some services as we work within the funds now available. Together with our Malawi trust, we are working on our longer term recovery plan and will reshape services over the next few months to provide the most effective support for the coming years.

Thank you

These are difficult times and we know we couldn’t do what we do without your help and for that we’d like to say a huge thank you and wish you a happy, peaceful and healthy festive period.

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