Why Meeting Material Needs is Only Part of the Equation

One of the most valuable lessons that we've learned while living and working with orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi is the importance of combining material support with programs that improve childcare and provide psychosocial support.

St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Center is a place where the material needs of the children are met but what’s often lacking is perhaps the most important need – emotional support. Unlike many children in the local village, the children at St. Mary's have food, clothing, security and the freedom to be kids, but it's important to remember that they are still orphans. Some were orphaned as babies and never knew their parents and others saw their parents die. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the US or Malawi, if a child goes through that kind of trauma they need emotional support.

This is true for the orphans at St. Mary’s and at all of the other Community Based Organizations (CBO) and Community Based Child Care Centers (CBCC) with whom we work. In order to begin to meet this need, Goods for Good is now coupling goods donations with Malawian Government sponsored childcare trainings for caregivers. The types of trainings range from training caregivers in Early Childhood Development with some emotional support training, to dedicated psychosocial support trainings. Goods for Good believes these trainings are an integral part of our work for two reasons. First, the trainings will empower the caregivers to use our goods and provisions more effectively. And second, the trainings will help caregivers address the emotional needs of the children.

It’s easy to forget what else is behind that smile when you hand a child a new shirt or toy. If we don’t remember the needs of these kids beyond material support, we risk leaving them exposed to an even more difficult road ahead.