The Heart of Mercy support children with disabilities and their families in rural villages near Zomba, Malawi. The staff visit children in their homes, supporting families with acceptance, health, nutrition, therapy and education for their families. As the widespread poverty in this region impacts on so many of these aspects of life, they also help support families with income generation.
The Heart of Mercy staff advocate for our disabled children in local and regional forums, including encouraging acceptance of disabilities in the wider community and churches. Families within the Heart of Mercy project, who previously felt ashamed or hid their children at home are now proud to be part of the group and are starting to reach out and support other parents who are in similar situations. Local ministers are now also starting to welcome children into church or visit them for services at their homes.
Malnutrition has been a huge issue in recent years in Malawi, worsened by two years of very poor harvests. Our staff monitor the upper arm measurements and health status of the children when they visit. We have also been able to provide 40 of the most needy children with goats which can be milked to supplement their diet and training for families on how to care for and milk their goats.
They are linking with Mbedza, our partner, to receive training on tree growing and community
gardening to optimise crops. The project also helps support families to take their children to hospital for more specialist medical care, should they need it. The Heart of Mercy staff have received training from physiotherapy and speech therapists and continue to provide support to families in carrying out their child’s individual therapy programmes. The staff are trained in sign language and are starting to teach our deaf children how to sign. They also link with local schools to help support inclusion, if possible.
In 2024, Accomplish purchased a plot of land for the Heart of Mercy, in order to be able to build a long dreamt of centre for children with disabilities. The foundations for this centre have now been completed and we are using the remaining land for growing crops, this growing season, to help support the children’s nutrition next year. In July 2025, Mission Direct will be taking out a group of school children to start construction of the centre and fund the build. The provision of a new centre will enable children to play, learn and have therapy together, whilst providing some respite for their parents to work the land or find paid work.
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