| AYISE |

CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTAL CARE - MANGOCHI

This project, supported by Every Child, has the full title "Creating enabling environments for the protection, growth and development of children without parental care in traditional area (T/A) Katuli, Mangochi District", and addresses the following of AYISE's key areas:

Child Protection - the project's main aim is to provide adequate protection and care to children who do not currently receive it
Education - it is well documented that children with inadequate care and guidance at home are less likely to attend school, and so by providing guardians with proper parenting skills we hope to increase school attendance
HIV and AIDS - a indirect benefit will be the long term prevention of HIV and AIDS, as children without parental care are more vulnerable to contracting the disease through risky behaviours and/or abuse than children with appropriate parental care
Gender - in the advice we give on proper parenting, it shall be emphasised that the girl child is as worthy and valuable as the boy child, and they must be given equal opportunities.

The Issues - click here to read more

In the Mangochi District of Malawi there is a problem of children suffering from inadequate parenting. Parents may be absent, having abandoned the child to work on an agricultural estate, or may just be neglectful. The result is that children are not properly supported and cared for. The traditional authorities in this district have not taken action on this, as it is not offensive in their traditional cultures. This leads to children not attending school, not necessarily being fed regularly, not being adequately cared for or guided through life, and thus ending up in risky situations - exaggerating existing problems of illiteracy, poverty, HIV and AIDS and gender inequality

The Project - click here to read more

The project involves raising awareness of the rights of the child, and the importance of good parenting, among parents, chiefs, teachers, and other relevant parties. A training course is provided to those groups, covering all the aspects of the problems of neglectful parenting and children growing up without appropriate care.

Expected Outcomes- click here to read more

To hold awareness raising meetings with Chiefs, parents, communities, and teachers in the area
To conduct training sessions with Chiefs, parents and teachers