Malawi is facing a growing crisis with the increasing number of street-connected children. Many of these children endure neglect, violence, exploitation, and chronic insecurity on a daily basis. Economic hardship, family breakdown, and limited access to education have intensified their struggles, leaving them vulnerable to emotional and psychological trauma that often goes untreated. This urgent situation underscores the need for trauma-informed training to equip caregivers, church leaders, and community stakeholders with the skills to support and protect these children effectively.
Introduction and Travel
On 24 November, the HSC Area team departed for Malawi to conduct a scheduled training program. The journey was smooth, with stopovers before arriving at Blantyre International Airport. Upon arrival, the team received a warm welcome from the hosts and continued with a three- to four-hour road transfer to Ntanja, the training venue.
Training Sessions
The training began with a small group of participants, eventually growing to eighteen by the end of the first day. Sessions opened with introductions and discussions on the foundational needs of children. Participants engaged deeply, expressing that the material offered new and valuable insights.
Two participants shared personal stories highlighting the effects of unmet foundational needs:
- “My parents prioritized our family business over my education. Even after I secured a government loan meant for my development, they diverted it to the business. This left me feeling unvalued and unloved.”
- “I grew up without parental love. I was sent to live with my grandparents, where I received little care and never attended school. My mother feared expressing my needs to my father, which worsened my emotional struggles.”
On Tuesday, the focus shifted to trauma and its impact on children and young people. Many participants recognized elements of trauma in their own lives, making the session particularly impactful. One female participant became visibly distressed during the discussion. Though she initially chose not to speak, she later confided privately in a facilitator, sharing that she had undergone an abortion after being pressured by a young man who feared expulsion from school. While the procedure was medically safe, the emotional burden resurfaced during the training. After receiving counselling, she regained strength and participated actively for the remainder of the program.
From Thursday through Monday, facilitators covered the remaining TCC1 modules and introduced selected TCC2 lessons. A review session on Tuesday allowed participants to ask questions and deepen their understanding.
Next Steps
If members of your team are interested in joining future courses, please check the upcoming dates here and register using our link: [Registration Link]