Disability Rights Malawi Project #19112

Protect 500 Kids with Disabilities in Malawi

by ALEIMAR - Voluntary Organization

Protect 500 Kids with Disabilities in Malawi

Project Report | Jan 12, 2026
Health, Rehabilitation and Hope: Aleimar and Tiyende Pamodzi in Malawi

By Elisa Cappai | Project Leader

physiotherapy sessions

Dear Donors,
At the end of October, the Aleimar team carried out the annual monitoring trip to Malawi. The mission allowed us not only to evaluate the progress of ongoing activities, but also to gain direct insight into the challenging conditions affecting the country. Malawi is currently facing a severe shortage of diesel and petrol, mainly due to geopolitical factors and disruptions along the main supply corridor through Tanzania, where post-election tensions have significantly impacted logistics. In addition, Malawi is experiencing very high inflation, currently around 35%, making it increasingly difficult for households to purchase food and basic necessities.

In this challenging context, we continue to work closely with our local partner, the community-based organization Tiyende Pamodzi Group, whose mission is to care for children and adults with disabilities, as well as people living with chronic illnesses, in the Mangochi district. A total of 339 children are followed through community physiotherapy centers, while 92 people (children who are difficult to transport and elderly individuals unable to move independently) receive home visits.

The main causes of disability among the children supported are birth-related complications leading to cerebral palsy and cases of malaria contracted by mothers during pregnancy. In Malawi, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, together with the University of Malawi and families of children with disabilities, has launched a data collection and research initiative on children with cerebral palsy. This research is currently ongoing, as an unusually high number of cases has been identified and the underlying causes are still not fully understood.

Today, Tiyende Pamodzi manages 12 community physiotherapy centers located in areas with the highest concentration of people with disabilities. These “centers” are often deconsecrated churches, school classrooms, or simple huts where physiotherapy sessions are held once a month. Each session follows a shared structure: children are called one by one, caregivers bring the child’s health booklet and volunteers together with the physiotherapist record observations in the clinical file. The physiotherapist demonstrates the exercises, which mothers then repeat with the support of a volunteer. At the end of the session, each child receives a nutritious meal of nsima (white maize porridge) accompanied by seasonal vegetables.

Tiyende Pamodzi’s commitment goes beyond physiotherapy alone. When a child or another beneficiary requires hospital care, the group coordinates with local health centers to ensure access to services. When transportation is needed, the organization contributes to covering part of the costs, reducing a major barrier to care for many families.

For children affected by malnutrition who attend the physiotherapy centers, mothers are referred to health centers or hospitals for appropriate treatment. This process includes formal reporting, home visits by health center staff, and, when necessary, hospitalization at the public hospital in Mangochi. In cases of severe malnutrition, children are hospitalized for at least one and a half months and receive a structured nutritional treatment: initially milk administered by spoon, followed by chiponde (a high-protein peanut-based paste given 4 times a day for 15 days), and finally Likuni Phala, a fortified protein-rich flour.

During the monitoring visit, several recurring needs emerged regarding medical and rehabilitation equipment. These include rigid shoes to support the ankle, standing frames, wheelchairs, materials for casts, and adjustable orthoses.

Despite the many challenges, the dedication of the local team and the resilience of the families continue to inspire us. Your support makes it possible to keep improving the quality of life of children and adults with disabilities in Malawi.
Thank you for standing with us!

physiotherapy sessions

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Sep 12, 2025
Small Steps, Big Changes: Empowering Families in Mangochi

By Elisa Cappai | Junior Project Manager

Maize flour distribution

Dear Donors,
We are committed to supporting children suffering from mental and/or physical disabilities in the Mangochi district, providing essential help to many families.

In collaboration with our local partner, Tyiende Pamodzi Group, we have implemented one of the most significant activities that deeply influence families’ everyday lives: the handing over of basic food stuffs. In August, a total of 5,000kg of maize flour was bought and delivered to 240 families of children with disabilities. Malawian people consume maize flour as their staple food, and nsima is the name of the traditional dish of this country through which nearly every meal is based on. In such a situation of rising inflation and skyrocketing prices, access to this basic resource is equivalent to giving families a less gasping chance of food insecurity and malnutrition. The distribution days turned out to be great moments of participation: the beneficiaries gathered at the collection points in the villages, welcomed and supported by the volunteers of the Tyiende Pamodzi Group.

At the same time, the physiotherapy activities have been taking place in 12 centers across the district and this has enabled children with disabilities to improve their motor skills. These changes are the light of hope for many families showing that their children can have a bright future.

To support the goal of increasing food security within families, an agricultural training was also held for 18 farmers from the local villages. Two agronomists initiated the training, which included both theoretical and practical lessons, covering crucial topics such as: selection and management of irrigation sites, crop planning and efficient use of water resources, sowing techniques and crop management, and the correct use of seeds and fertilizers. At the end of the course, each farmer received a treadle pump, seeds, and fertilizers – essentialtools for the independent cultivation of their land and ensuring their families’ food supply throughout the year.

Additionally, a partnership agreement was made: part of the agricultural production will be donated to Tyiende Pamodzi and used to prepare and distribute meals for children with disabilities during the physiotherapy sessions.

None of this would have been possible without your support. In a crisis situation, marked by economic difficulties and scarce resources, every contribution becomes vital to the families.
Thank you for your support: together we are creating stronger and more inclusive communities.

Maize flour distribution

Agricultural training

Treadle pump distribution

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May 6, 2025
Nutritional training and food aid distribution

By Francesca Pellegatta | Project Leader

Nutritional trainings

Dear Friends,

After the monitoring trip a new common path in Malawi has begun with Aleimar’s local partner, Tiyende Pamodzi Community Based Organization. As previously shared, Malawi is going through a very difficult time characterized by continued rising in food prices and unfortunately widespread hunger. In addition, in March 2025 more than 41.000 families have been affected by the sudden onset of climate-related hazards, including Cyclones Jude and Chido.

The living conditions of the hundreds of children with disabilities taken care of by Tiyende Pamodzi volunteers have worsened and child malnutrition is on the rise. In fact, many children with disabilities are unable to feed themselves properly due to the inability to swallow or chew.

To support the children involved in the program, Aleimar has decided to collaborate with the local partner following two main lines of intervention:

Prevention, through the organization of nutrition trainings dedicated to caregivers. Thanks to experienced trainers and a local physiotherapist, the children's family members were able to learn how to combine food and how to deal with cerebral palsy;
Emergency aid, through the distribution of basic food kits and personal hygiene products; local partner identified children with disabilities suffering from malnutrition and families most in need in 12 rural villages in Mangochi district, distributing food kits (each kit contains, for example, rice, maize flour, oil, beans and soap).

So far we have organized five emergency food distributions, and 230 food kits have been distributed. Although this support has been crucial, many families still need basic food support and especially children with disabilities need food supplements to cope with physical therapy treatment.

With your help we could distribute life-saving food and reduce child food insecurity!

Thank you!

Nutritional trainings

Food kits distribution

Food supplements

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