Programs: Community Based Organizations

Goods for Good’s Community Based Organization program provides established community orphan care centers with material and programmatic support that complements their existing services.

There are currently over 1 million orphans under the age of 17 in Malawi, and communities are self-organizing to deal with the crisis. G4G’s research indicates that Community Based Organizations (CBOs) typically provide the most comprehensive and culturally appropriate services for the majority of orphaned children. However, these organizations are often severely under-resourced and over-extended. In response to these findings, G4G is partnering with over 120 CBOs to complement their educational and emotional support programs with much-needed material support.

The material support provided by G4G has included clothing for over 59,000 children, fabric for over 2,500 uniforms as well as school materials and health and hygiene products. As a result of this program, thousands of children have improved self-esteem, are less stigmatized by their peers, are attending school regularly and are less vulnerable to extreme temperatures and disease.

Program Prose

“I am so happy to receive this clothing today from Goods for Good, because when you have proper clothing, you feel carefree going to school. But when you have rags on everyone laughs at you and you stop going to school.”

- Renald Banikani, 14-year-old orphan, Malawi

“With the [materials donated by] Goods for Good, many children and adults have been raised a notch higher in their self esteem. The people of Chinsapo are very grateful for your help. Their lives are much better because of Goods for Good.”

- Pia Varni, Catholic Relief Services volunteer, Malawi

“Today, Goods for Good has done what myself and my husband cannot do for our children. Our children will look dignified in these clothes. Thank you so much.”

- Mrs. Namasiyani, parent of four children at Tiyambe Nawo Community Based Organization, Malawi

“I am so thankful to Goods for Good for helping me to have a school uniform. It is really “Goods for Good” as the name sounds.”

- Malita Enelodi, 18-year-old orphan, Malawi

 "Because of the soap donation, cases of children becoming ill in the Child Based Care Centers have completely disappeared and attendance has increased by 25%."

- Yacinta Chapomba, Assistant Director of Consol Homes, Malawi