Alliance for Children Everywhere began working with faith-based OVC partners in Malawi in 2020. Malawi presented a unique opportunity to work with child care institutions and build a model of family based care that prioritized reunifying children with their extended family in their village of origin. In Malawi, we found an awesome group of grassroots organizations passionate about helping children and determined to see them thrive. Working in Blantyre, ACE supported the formation and registration of the National CCI Network, building a platform for improved social work, family based care, child safeguarding, and trauma informed care.

Seeing an opportunity to impact the country at a national level, ACE began the formal process of registration in 2023, moving our office to Lilongwe, and working closely with the Ministry of Gender and USAID. We strengthened our partnership with the Association of Social Workers in Malawi (ASWIM) and the Association of Women Religious in Malawi (AWRIM). These large networks of CCIs and social workers allow ACE to promote family based care, trauma informed care, and prevention of child separation at a larger scale.