Support victims of child marriage in Malawi

Since I started traveling at the start of 2023, I’ve had the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into various African cultures. This has been an amazing and enriching experience, and it has also further opened my eyes to some of the unique issues girls and women face in various African countries. In taking these experiences to heart, I've begun to volunteer with Youth Coalition for the Consolidation of Democracy (YCD) in Malawi, an NGO focused on empowering women and children and promoting civic engagement. Specifically, I am working with YCD in their fight to end child marriages in Malawi. I am writing to you today to extend the invitation to join us in this fight by making a contribution to support YCDs work.

Did you know that 42% of girls in Malawi are married before their 18th birthday and the leading cause of death for girls aged 14-19 in Malawi is complications from pregnancy?

All despite the fact that Malawi outlawed marriage below the age of 18 in 2015. These startling numbers are a result of cultural and social practices, as well as the fact that 70% of Malawi's population is currently living in poverty. Research says that this plays a major role, as many families lack the means to take care of their children and view marrying off a daughter as the best option to provide for themselves and the rest of the family.

Additionally, 52% of girls married before the age of 18 have none or only pre-primary level education - meaning if and when a marriage is successfully annulled, these girls will not only face the challenges of reintegrating into their families (if accepted back) and communities, but they also will struggle to provide for themselves and (often) their children.

YCD is taking a two-pronged approach to this issue by campaigning to annul child marriages, providing school funds for girls who are eligible to re-enroll in school, and providing 'starter pack' grants and training for girls to start their own businesses (if not returning to school).

In 2022 alone YCD successfully:

-ran 12 'end child marriage' campaigns that saw 50 child marriages nullified

-sent 152 children back to school to finish their education

-helped countless girls start their own businesses including; sewing, barbershops, buying and trading maize, beauty salons, crafts and more

Currently, all of YCD's projects rely on one-off donations, meaning they are constantly at risk of running out of funds.

My goal is to raise $10,000, and my hope is that it will be with your support. This sizeable donation will allow YCD to open a grocery shop that will provide consistent funding to projects supporting girls who have been the victims of child marriage. This support will be in the form of 'starter pack' grants to girls in the amount of $100 USD per girl, paying school fees for girls of school age (which costs ~$600USD per year), as well as continued campaigns to annul more child marriages and counseling for each girl.

Please consider donating - any amount helps and will be hugely appreciated! And/or if you are not in a position to make a financial contribution, please feel free to share this amongst your networks.

I will send follow-up updates to anyone who donates to keep you abreast to YCDs work.

Thanks!