Ending Child Labor Through Community Education
The Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) have been active in Malawi since 2009, implementing socio-economic development programs to support marginalized women and children. In the Lilongwe district, DMI works directly with vulnerable communities—particularly in Mchezi and Gumulira clusters—through women’s empowerment initiatives and education-focused outreach.
In Malawi, nearly 38% of children aged 5–17 are engaged in child labour, with the vast majority working in agriculture—especially in tobacco farming. In the targeted villages, 80% of families rely on tobacco cultivation, a labor-intensive crop often involving children in hazardous conditions like prolonged sun exposure, pesticide contact, and the risk of nicotine poisoning. Many children also work in brick kilns and construction, where they are exposed to dangerous materials and denied the right to an education.
Economic hardship, a weak education system, and long distances to school leave families with few alternatives. Parents often don’t view child labor as harmful, and cultural norms along with hidden costs in schooling (like uniforms, books, and exam fees) push children—especially girls—out of classrooms and into fields. To reverse this cycle, the project will:
Form two Cluster Education Committees (CECs) to work with schools and communities in 10 villages
Mainstream 80 child laborers into school through bridge courses with qualified teachers
Support enrollment campaigns and motivation camps to raise awareness
Organize 10 farmers' associations and promote a shift from tobacco to staple crops and vegetables
Promote saving and lending practices to improve household stability and reduce dependency on child labor
Support the End of Child Labour in Malawi
Your donation will help remove children from exploitative work, reintegrate them into school, and help families adopt more sustainable farming practices—creating long-term change for the next generation.
Funding Needed: 60,000 USD