When the AIDS epidemic claimed the lives of an entire generation of teachers, caregivers and parents and left too many orphaned children behind, Anna Msowoya–Keys, along with a group of dedicated women in Mzuzu, responded by establishing Kwithu Women’s Group to serve these children.

What started as an emergency response feeding program for 20 children once each week grew into a thriving community center that provides a suite of services, including health and nutrition assistance, to hundreds of children and their families.

Malawi’s chronic and widespread poverty hits children and women the hardest. Food insecurity remains an enormous challenge and malnutrition is the single biggest contributor to child death. All children should be able to grow up well–fed and in good health. Healthy children develop strong minds and bodies which helps them success in school and become productive members of society.