Esme’s story

After a stay at Open Arms, she is now healthy and happy living back with her family. Her aunt takes care of her together with her three siblings and three other children. With so many children to care for and with no regular income her aunt is understandably struggling to provide food and clothes for Esme and the other children under her care. But our outreach work provides support and advice as well as a monthly sponsorship if the family need it. 

Outreach visits give Matron Rex the opportunity to see the family periodically to check on their progress and give advice and support that will help make sure children like Esme get nutritious food and the medicines they may need to develop and grow.

Helping families help themselves

Visits are designed to give families and children the tools to support themselves. In and around Blantyre, it is common to see Mrs Phiri dispensing medicine, food, basic supplies like soap and underwear as well as giving advice about health. Advice is given to the whole family. With the villages being so remote, this support is invaluable to the whole community in times of need. 

Mrs Phiri started the outreach programme in 2002 to improve the reintegration of children, and since then hundreds of children have benefitted from your support. It is a model which we are proud of and committed to develop as we grow. We need funding to continue to provide these vital services though and to support children like Esme who need a bit of extra help. 

Esme’s is just one story, you can help to improve more!

• Just £10 will pay for an outreach visit to provide monitoring, advice and support    

• £15 will provide a bag of food to a family, when they need some extra help
  

• £26 will pay for a going home pack for a child, which includes a blanket, mosquito net, their  favourite toy , a new outfit and Likuni Phala (a nutrient-rich maize and soya porridge
  

• £15 a month will provide a regular monthly allowance for a child like Esme. Tt will help with school fees and food. You will receive updates and pictures of the child you are supporting too.

Open arms returns children to their family to build their future in their own home.  It sounds simple and it is with your help – thank you!