Government has said it is set to train 30,000 caregivers by 2026.
Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare acting Director of Child Affairs Justine Hamira said they are also committed to ensuring that caregivers get motivated through the provision of honoraria.
She said, as at now, about 2,000 caregivers are getting honoraria, with 3,000 others yet to start this year.
Hamira said this when she presided over the graduation ceremony of 53 caregivers that have been trained under CCAP Synod of Livingstonia Synod’s Department of Early Childhood Development (ECD) with support from World Vision Malawi.
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“The ministry’s plan is to make caregiving a serious profession; that way, children will be protected from various forms of abuse.
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“That is why we are developing a new policy that will help us to mould professional caregivers across the country. We want our children to get a better education foundation. We will, therefore, ensure that caregivers start getting honoraria,” Hamira said.
Livingstonia Synod ECD Director Reverend Edward Kamthunzi said they decided to engage World Vision to support the training of the caregivers after realising that the problem of lack of trained caregivers is huge.
“The number of caregivers that need training is still huge. This means the majority of children in centres are being raised by unprofessional caregivers, which is dangerous,” Kamthuzi said.
World Vision Malawi Mchinji Project Officer Yamikani Banda said they decided to support the initiative because some of the caregivers were from Mchinji District.
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According to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social welfare, the country has about 46, 000 caregivers
