Kudimba Foundation is a day-care centre for vulnerable children and young people in Lifuwu, Malawi.

The participants of Kudimba are vulnerable because of their special needs, a health condition or their complex social background. The day-care centre is staffed by a team of dedicated local co-workers. They provide care for the most vulnerable children of the Lifuwu area, in the Salima district of central Malawi.

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The programme offers nutrition, hygiene, education, basic therapeutic activities and recreation. When needed healthcare is provided, this mainly through referral. Where possible the children are encouraged and supported to participate in regular education.

On site, Kudimba offers individually tailored care in a stimulating setting. As a grassroots project, the Foundation wants to assist the local population to bring about change and achieve sustainable improvement in the care of the most vulnerable children.

Kudimba’s programme and setting are designed to create a safe environment for vulnerable youth and to provide opportunities to thrive. The goal is to achieve the highest possible level of independence and integration into the community.

Kudimba’s objective is to have a positive impact on the development opportunities of the most vulnerable young people in the Lifuwu area. Young people are encouraged to take initiative, to learn skills, to gain knowledge and experience. In addition, raising awareness about health and ecology is at the top of the Kudimba agenda.

A team of dedicated Malawian co-workers are in charge of the daily running of Kudimba. Some of these co-workers also have a vulnerable background. Most of the team members have no specific training or experience in working with children with special needs, they learn on the job and receive training on site. The team is supported by local experts in the field: a physiotherapist, a social worker, a nurse and an experienced special needs teacher. They provide outreach support to Kudimba and work alongside the staff, to increase their skills and capacity and to assess the children.

Starfish Malawi have been partnering with Kudimba as they have similar goals in caring for and educating those children who are the most vulnerable in the community.  Starfish have Everlands special needs centre which runs on a similar basis.  The two organisations have had open discussion about  the issues of running care for special needs children and Starfish  advised the foundation in the area of fundraising.  Both organisations value the partnership.