Word Alive Ministries, Malawi

Word Alive Ministries International, a local church in Malawi, runs an HIV and AIDS programme, which aims to reduce the spread and alleviate the impact of this devastating disease on local people. It provides care and support to those infected and affected in the Blantyre area.

The programme's main activities include home-based care, the care of orphans and vulnerable children, HIV testing and counselling, and behaviour change initiatives with young people.

Over the last few years, Word Alive has been caring for those infected with the HIV virus and supporting over 1,400 orphans and vulnerable children in a rural area outside Blantyre. This support has been mainly practical, providing basic nursing care and vital supplies. Animal husbandry and farming have also been part of this initiative, with the aim of providing sustainable livelihoods for local people. A significant part of this work is done by empowering and equipping other smaller local churches.

Context at a glance

Approximately 80% of Malawians say they are Christians. Around 13% are Muslim. In the area where Word Alive works, mosques are a common sight giving the impression of a stronger Islamic influence. Relationships are generally good between Christian and Muslim neighbours on the ground. HIV prevalence in Blantyre is 19% (around 150,000 people). Until recently, Blantyre was home to the highest number of people living with HIV in the country.

E3's support

The home-based care programme is funded by another charity. E3 is supporting Word Alive to run a prevention and spiritual care programme alongside this initiative to ensure holistic care for people affected by HIV. Working through local churches, activities include HIV awareness meetings in 20 villages and in local schools. Marriage seminars and training for church leaders and Sunday school teachers, combined with community meetings, help to ensure that the work is holistic and lasts for the long term.

Why E3 thinks Word Alive's work is significant

• Word Alive Ministries is a contextually-relevant church that cares about the impact HIV is having on local communities and wants to respond.
• The work involves encouraging and equipping other local churches to respond holistically to the needs faced by their communities. Churches are well-placed to understand these needs and establish long-term initiatives to provide practical, emotional and spiritual care.
• As far as possible, people are encouraged to reach out to and assist others using their own resources – dependency is avoided and dignity reinforced.

EngageHIV partner projects page 
Stories of impact – restoring hope in Malawi