World Relief - Malawi

In Malawi, the church is a cornerstone of society. Four in five people are Christians. Yet in 1999, when World Relief began working in Malawi, the church reflected the culture around them. Years of economic stagnation left the people of Malawi in great need of a source of hope. Today, World Relief and the church in Malawi are working together to bring the tangible hope of Christ to their communities by developing agricultural land, combating poverty and disease and giving communities an opportunity for restoration and transformation.

”When we started working in 1999, churches were preaching love and compassion perhaps, but they weren’t demonstrating it. Now we can say that with our teaching and the help of God and Holy Spirit, we see churches going farther and doing things we hadn’t even suggested, demonstrating their understanding that God is concerned with the weakest members of society.” — Sandress, country director

The Church at Work

In five districts in Malawi, churches have worked hard to understand and live out the gospel in their communities. Teaching has often been plagued by misinformation and a blending with traditional animist beliefs. World Relief is working with local pastors, building their understanding of Christ’s call to serve the poor. Now, church members are reaching out in compassion to bring reconciliation and transformation into the lives of Malawi’s people.

Almost one in five adults in Malawi is living with AIDS. The impact on families and communities is devastating. World Relief and our local church partners offer a comprehensive program to respond. Youth are targeted with abstinence messages in churches and schools—leaders and volunteers are committed to training the next generation to save themselves from death. People living with AIDS are embraced by compassionate communities—literally and figuratively—as volunteers visit them, bathe them, feed them and ensure their children are cared for. 

With more than 800,000 orphans in the country, the need is great. Many caregivers were alone, without external support. Now, church-based volunteers offer food and assistance to ensure children finish their education. Agricultural programs, including an innovative program to grow groundnuts/peanuts, soya beans, sugar beans and high-value vegetables, offer families affected by AIDS seeds and tools to provide basic food and some family income.

Children in Malawi face malnutrition at alarming rates—more than sixty percent of children under five are chronically malnourished. World Relief uses the effective care group model to teach mothers about health, nutrition and hygiene. As volunteers learn lessons, they repeat them in the homes of their neighbors— behavior changes dramatically.

In Malawi, the church is serving as a primary agent of change in the lives of those in need.