The department has been very active in working with the Police Victim Support Unit in Blantyre and Lilongwe and the Child Justice Courts and the Case Review Board than any other year since the establishment of the Organization. It is the year when the organization received orders from the Case Review Board to provide Case Management, assessments and Counselling services to 764 children in conflict with the law and those in prison. We have reach out to 273 victims of domestic and commercial child labor; and 118 girls rescued from arranged and forced Prostitution in Blantyre and Lilongwe. We have also rescued and removed 233 children from harmful orphanages and rescued 63 children from arranged and forced child marriages. We provided counselling and protection services to 49 victims of defilement.
It is the year when the organization provided counselling support and safe repatriation of a Mozambican girl aged 12 years who was trafficked to Malawi for an arranged Marriage with a man aged 36 in Blantyre and 21 Mozambican Children who were rescued in the hands of a human traffickers, Mr. Salikuchepa now in prison and his friend Luka Chidothi who is on the run for purposes of labor exploitation in July 2015. The children testified in court that when they left Mozambique the accused advised them to be telling anyone who asks about their journey that they were going to a football match.
The 2015 highlight would not be complete if we don’t report on a case involving two children trafficked from South Africa to Malawi. Eye of the Child received a report from its South Africa Partners that two Children were trafficked to Malawi as a transit country for processing Passports to be used in entering the United Kingdom as a final destination. We want to say thank you to the Malawi Police Services and the Ministry of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare Service for responding favorably to our call whose investigation and action ended up with the rescue in Mulanje and safe repatriation of the two children back to South Africa.
The highlight for 2015 in our records includes that of a disabled 12 years old girl whom we rescued from the hands of a man who was using her to beg money from well-wishers in Lilongwe. The girl was been paraded on a wheel chair along the main road.
treated. Four months later she discovered that the child could not seat on her own and also her body was not strong as compared to her age. This is when the mother suspected that something was wrong with the child. After a year, the child was not doing anything on her own and she started going with her to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital for Physiotherapy. It is sad that people could use a child with multiple disabilities including: Hearing impairment, Speech and language disorder, Down syndrome and physically impaired for financial gain.
In the year 2016, the department would like to establish a special fund that will be used to support and rehabilitate the many children who require our services but we could not reach out to them due to limited financial resources. The Eye of the Child Department of Social Welfare plays a pivotal role in alleviating the suffering endured by those at risk of serious deprivation such as children, mothers, and persons with disabilities. The department implements remedial, rehabilitative, preventive and supportive services with emphasis on family and community- based interventions targeting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of children. The key services includes: - Provision of children and family counseling and support; Provision of alternative care to neglected, abandoned and deprived children; support to very poor and destitute families; and Rehabilitation and reintegration of children found in unprotected environment. We welcome all those that wish to join our team as volunteers and interns to reach out to many children in Malawi.
Training and Capacity building 2015
During the year under review, the Eye of the Child training center and department successfully conducted a number of training that include a self- sponsored two months training for young people in Social Entrepreneurship. The other training was sponsored by Action Aid Malawi for the Organization to Train local Councilors in the laws that protect children from Child Marriages that was followed in child trafficking for the media sponsored by Norwegian Church Aid through the Malawi Network against Child Trafficking (M- NACT). We want to say thank you to our Partners Action Aid Malawi and Norwegian Church Aid for both financial and technical support rendered towards the organization of the two trainings and to all young people that attended the Social Entrepreneurship Training.
The Department has in the past 20 years offered trainings and consultancy services in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho and Tanzania.
In the year 2016, the department will organize the following trainings:-
1. Basic Training in Child Protection
2. Development of Child Protection Policies
3. Training of Trainers workshop
4. Parenting Skills
5. Training in Positive Discipline skills for Teachers and Parents
6. Protecting Children online
7. Child Care, Protection and Justice (ACT 2010)
8. Case Management
9. Fundraising Training 10.Proposal Writing Training 11.Understanding Child Rights and Responsibilities
12. Child Rights Based Approaches Training
13. Early Childhood Development (ECD)
14. Child Rights Monitoring and Reporting Training
15. Prevention of Vandalism’s in Schools Training
16. Child Counseling Training 17.Policy and Media Advocacy 18.Project Development 19.Monitoring and Evaluation 20.Introduction to Social Welfare Services and Social Work
21. Understanding Trafficking in Persons and Trafficking in Persons Act (2015)
22. Introduction to the Marriage, Family Relations and Divorce Act (2015)
23. Social Entrepreneurship 24.Paralegal Training 25.Promoting Child Participation 26.Story Telling Skills
27. Understanding and Practical use of Children Related Laws in Malawi
28. Working with Child Justice Courts for NGOs.
Sharon Chinguwo Director of Training
Arrange to meet with Sharon or one of our Senior Training Officers to identify your training and development needs. The initial stage of this service is a negotiation either by telephone or a face-to-face consultation meeting with one of our senior officer who has a wealth of knowledge and skills. During this consultation, your needs are established and the appropriate services will be identified. Once it is clearer what kind of support you require, timescales will be worked out, consultants identified, and a more detailed programme of services will be planned.
An investment well spent brings you the best return. How do you ensure your investment in training is well spent? Our Training Needs Analysis service helps you to identify precisely the learning needs in your organization. It will also help you to ensure that the learning medium, content and outcome of training reflect your specific needs. We will work with you to find the best way to ascertain what knowledge and skills are needed, whether across the whole organization, or for a group of staff or individuals or your beneficiaries and target audiences.
Our Guest of the Year NCA Boss urges Malawian youth to develop entrepreneurship skills Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) Country Representative, Stein Villumstad appealed to the youth to be innovative and develop the skills of identifying opportunities that could sustain their living.
Villumstad was speaking in Lilongwe during a graduation ceremony of 19 Malawian youths who completed a two months training course in social and entrepreneurship organized by Eye of the Child’s training department.
He said Malawi is one of the countries in Africa faced with increased rates of unemployment especially among the youth.
Villumstad said despite several approaches and initiatives by government, little change seem to be registered thereby calling for joined efforts amongst all stake holders.
“There is still room for change and what we need to do is by first changing the mentality that many people have that they cannot create jobs by themselves but rather wait for others to open opportunities for them. Despite that I am not an entrepreneur myself, I still see many business opportunities that our youth could pick up and make a living out of them.
“What it means therefore is that the youth of this country has the chance to turn things around if they can be able to identify the various opportunities and get themselves engaged,” the NCA boss explained.
Apart from lack of jobs, Villumstad also noted limited access to soft loans and high bank interest rates as another setback for the youth and women who are vulnerable to engage themselves into productive businesses.
This, he said scares the youth and called on the government to find possible means of helping out the booming number of unemployed youth.
“We also need to give the youth of this country the necessary knowledge and skills than the traditional which is irrelevant to the market demand,” he said.
Villumstad then commended Eye of the child for organizing the training which he said offered a new dimension in the way youth should think and at the same time provided new skills of exploring business opportunities.
“Let me applaud Eye of the Child for the training which enabled our youth to obtain the necessary skills and make them the new contributors to the country’s change. Eye of the Child Board Chairperson, Her worship Esmy Tembenu concurred with Villumstad saying many youth have been trained for the white color jobs than the blue colored jobs.
“Instead of looking for ordinary employers or job markets that are almost full, there is need for the youth to think outside the box and create jobs for themselves,” she explained. The goal of the training was to build skills, knowledge among young people in Malawi by the use of entrepreneurship practice to better inform theory in the contexts of self- development and to highlight the role of social actors and social entrepreneurs in bringing about concrete changes.
“This training was part of the Eye of the Child Service learning Program for young people who want to gain job experiences.
Sekanawo Mwatibu, one of the graduating students described the training as an eye opener as it exposed her to various issues she never thought about before.
RESEARCH DEPARTMENT 2022
During the year under review, Eye of the Child did not conduct any research but will conduct a research on child dumping in the year 2022.
The dramatic nature of media reports has prompted the need to conduct a research on child dumping in Lilongwe District. There are increasing number of newborn infants who have been abandoned within hours of birth as reported by Lilongwe Police Station and many of these children are found in disturbing places, such as garbage dumpsters and public toilets. Often, these infants have died before they are located.
Child dumping is a social crisis and has a chronic increase as many cases are occurring in society. The baby dumping refers to discarding or leaving alone, for an extended period of time, a child younger than 12 months of age in a public or private setting with the intent to dispose of the child.
Baby dumping is a social crisis and has a chronic increase as many cases are happening in Malawi. Baby dumping is fast becoming a national issue, causing grave concern among the public and also the government. This issue has a serious implication than abortion. This result will affect not only individual but also society and that particular individual will suffer mentally and emotionally and will feel guilty in her entire life. Moreover, individuals who are making plans to throw her babies will not seek medical advice from doctors.
This person is likely to experience blood loss, infection and injury during delivery. In addition, the infant mortality rate will increase because of not getting medical care and proper care. Babies that are removed will have mental problems and be extreme if not given the attention and enough care. This problem will be more serious when they become adults and extreme attitudes also will lead them to involve in crime. Baby dumping is amongst the most heinous and inhumane crimes in any jurisdiction in this world. It is difficult to estimate the true extent of baby dumping in Malawi. This is due to the fact that such cases may occur in the society but they may be unreported. Indeed, Lilongwe police statistics (There is a total of 125 cases of baby dumping from January 2014 till October 2015) just Lilongwe alone. This shows that the issue is very critical and there is a need to investigate why there is such an increase in child dumping cases and also what should be done to solve this problem. This is why Eye of the Child want to conduct a research that will promote the use of preventive and alternative care mechanism which could reduce cases of child dumping: by examining and documenting hidden courses for child dumping; assessing and strengthening available services which could be promoted and utilized as alternative to child dumping in Lilongwe Districts and mobilize stakeholders in Malawi to take action and support in prevention and protection of children at risk of dumping.
CHILD Protection in 2015
Eye of the Child is pleased to announce the launch of a project on Friday 6th November 2015 aimed at protecting children from child marriages in Machinga and Balaka Districts.
Esther Mkhwewu Child Protection Coordinator
The project that has received financial support from Canadian High Commission to Malawi through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives will create a protective environment in communities around the two Districts by:- Sensitizing the general public and children on the dangers of child marriages; Enhancing collaboration among stakeholders in the campaign against child marriages; and Sensitizing public on the need to report all forced, arranged and child marriages cases to Eye of the Child or at the nearest Victim Support Units.
GOODWILL MESSAGE TO EYE OF THE CHILD HIS EXCELLENCY SHAWN BARBER
High Commissioner of Canada for Mozambique, Swaziland and Malawi
Greetings from the Canadian High Commission to Malawi. It is my privilege to send you a goodwill message as you launch the Campaign against Child Marriage in Balaka and Machinga District with financial support from Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. This fund is a humble initiative that seeks to help people at the grassroots.
The Canada Government is happy to be part of the campaign that will make a substantive contribution to the noble work being undertaken by the Government of Malawi, NGOs like Eye of the Child, parents and volunteers who dedicate their lives to the well-being of children in Malawi.
time I do meet faces that inspire hope. Malawi is a land of great virtues and the hard working spirit of its people bodes well for a great future.
When I have visited Malawi in the past, l have met girls as young as 13 years who had been withdrawn from marriages and brought back to school.
The girls never hid their triumph and gratitude for this opportunity to go back to school because this presented a second chance in their lives. The parents expressed their optimism for the future of their children. We felt their joy through their sentiments and songs they performed. The expressed joy was a true testimony of the important work being carried out by Eye of the Child and other NGOs in some parts of the country aimed at combating child marriages and allowing the girls to go back to school and to have a real future.
We know that the issue of child marriages is not isolated to Malawi. It is a worldwide problem that needs cooperation at all levels to ensure it is eradicated. Girls must be in school and progress to play their rightful roles in future. The causes of child marriages have been explained elsewhere but I wish to acknowledge the work being done by our partners like Eye of the Child and commend them for their efforts to halt the practice.
This year’s campaign is important because the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) expired and governments have agreed on new development priorities called the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. As Malawi begins to implement the SDGs the issues of child marriage need to be highlighted so that they are visible both at national and local levels. It is therefore important that Child Marriage issues should be addressed across the country.
Malawi is one of the two countries in Eastern and Southern Africa with over 50% of women aged 20-24 first married before the age of 18. About 4% of the population is married below age 15, 24% is married before age of 18, and one in every five teenage girls is in a formal marriage whilst 4% is in an informal union. Trends, however show that teenage boys are less likely to be married (2%) in comparison to their female counterparts. Girls from poor households or those raised by women with no education are more likely to be married early.
Through our partners, we understand that child marriage in Malawi is driven by poverty because young girls are used as economic tools to help their impoverished families. Cultural practices such as “Kupimbira,” “Mbiligha,” “fisi” and “Chinkhoswe cha Usiku,” contribute towards early child marriages.
It is important to end child marriage because it affects girl’s health, education, social life and increases poverty. Early marriage is a violation of human rights and is against the tenets of child protection.
I join you therefore in calling upon all the stakeholders, communities and individuals to give renewed attention and support to the Girl Child and help end child marriage as one way of promoting girls education.
Let us all join hands to empower the girl child, stop violence against women and end child marriage.
It is my hope that organizations like Eye of the Child will continue to get support from the government of Malawi, parents, caregivers, local leaders and that the authorities will continue to create conducive environments for the child.
My congratulations again to Eye of the Child, and all Malawians working to end child marriage. Much remains to be done but you are making progress.
Keep up the good work!
T/A Nkula in Machinga join other Chiefs and commit to stop of child marriages in his area.
All Chief’s sign the poster as a commitment to Stop Child Marriages T/A Kapoloma, sign to say “no to child marriages in Machinga” 2015 IN THE EYE OF THE CHILD Major Highlights
Eye of the Child vice Board Chairperson Rev Patrick Semphere, appointed as a full time Human Rights Commissioner with the Malawi Human Rights Commission.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission is an independent institution established under Chapter XI of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.
The Commission is regulated by the Human Rights Commission Act, in terms of its establishment, composition, functions, responsibilities, modes of operation and finances among other things. Sections 13 and 14 of the Act give the Commission the following mandate: Consider and make recommendations regarding any human rights issues, on its own volition or as may be referred to it by the Government and Conduct investigation and engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (ADR).
The Commission has the following directorates, who deal with the respective human rights issues:
Child Rights; Civil and Political Rights; Disability and Elderly Rights; Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Gender and Women Rights; and Corporate Services. Complaints can be submitted by any person or group of persons on the territory of Malawi, whose human rights have been violated or by legal practitioners, their representatives, third parties, non-governmental organizations, professional associations or any other representative organizations having an appropriate interest in the matter. The Commission has the power to conduct investigations and make recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecution to consider carrying out prosecutions. Possible outcomes may include: transmitting a complaint to any other competent authority as prescribed by the law or as otherwise the Commission sees fit making recommendations to competent authorities recommending to the relevant authority the prosecution of any persons found to have violated human rights.
REV PATRICK SEMPHERE was nominated by Eye of the Child as a response to the invitation by the Malawi Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman OTHER NEWS ye of the Child move its head office to Lilongwe in June 2015. The organization is located in Area 3, European Business Center Executive Director, speaking to Participants inside the Lilongwe Office Training Room
Eye of the Child Executive Director was appointed on 18th December 2015 into the Board of NGOs by the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social elfare Services. He will be the NGO Regulator for the next 3 years
The Executive Director was also appointed as a member of the National Coordinating Committee for the Enforcement of the Trafficking in Persons Act (2015) by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. He will serve for 3 years.
Eye of the Child has a Gender Specialist
The Director of Programmes for Eye of the Child, Lusungu Kayira returned on 30th June 2015 from five months Gender Specialist Post Graduate Diploma offered by the United Nations University, Gender Equality Studies at the University of Iceland.
Kindernothilfe visit Eye of the Child Wiebke Weinandt, the Africa Manager of the Kindernothilfe, an organization that works towards a world in which all children enjoy their rights regardless of their social, economic, political and religious backgrounds visited Eye of the Child offices in Lilongwe where they meet the Board Vice Chairperson and the management team and discussed about the possibilities of establishing a working relationship from the year 2016.
During this first inter-face meeting in November 2015, the two organizations shared notes about the various programs they are implementing in the country and look at ways of collaboration.
Kindernothilfe supports and reaches out to some 780.000 girls and boys in almost 1.000 projects in 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
In Malawi, the organization started its operations in 1998 and patterned with eight organizations two of which got kicked having not performed to their satisfaction.
Eye of the Child looks forward to its Partnership and working relationship with Kindernothilfe in Malawi in 2016.