About Reach The Needy
Reach the Needy, Incorporated is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization aimed at serving the impoverished children in Malawi, especially orphans and young girls, with the goal of expanding globally in the future. We are a faith based organization that teaches Bible knowledge and the love of God to our students.
Our mission statement is to transform the rural communities in Malawi by providing education, healthcare, and basic needs such as clean water, food, clothing, and shelter to those in need, especially children.
Our ultimate goal is to provide sustainable communities through education and agricultural initiatives.
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
The founders of Reach The Needy organization are Owen and Vanessa. Owen was born in Malawi and has a heart to help his people. Owen migrated to the United States, where he opened his own business and later met his wife, Vanessa.
They started small projects in Malawi in 2013 such as food distribution to orphans through the local church. They later visited Malawi in 2015 to visit the church and distribute clothing and school uniforms to a local school. It was then that the villagers, although deeply grateful for the donations, expressed the desire to have their children educated. Owen and Vanessa, with the help of their church (Victory Church), friends, and other well wishers, proceeded to make this vision a reality.
They have since constructed a school in the village of Nathenje which currently serves 150+ students. Vanessa is a registered nurse and wants to help provide easy access to healthcare in the rural areas of Malawi by building hospitals and mobile clinics that will serve multiple communities.
The accomplishments of the organization are made possible by the dedicated volunteers and board of directors who have a heart to serve the children. All by the grace of Jesus.
About Malawi Africa
Malawi, formerly known as Nyasaland, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa. It is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 18,091,575. The capital city is Lilongwe. Malawi, also known as “The Warm Heart of Africa,” is best known for its friendly people and its lake,”Lake Malawi”, which covers 24,000 km2 of the country with fresh water.
16.7 percent of children under 18 are Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
According to USAID, 53 percent of Malawi's population are under the age of 18 and 16.7 percent of children under 18 are Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). Nearly one million OVC have lost one or both parents to AIDS. According to UNICEF, 20 percent of Malawian households are looking after OVC, and many of these households are headed by girls, women, and elderly women. The majority of families caring for OVC in Malawi lack the means to provide basic necessities. These children lack parental care and proper nutrition; they have inadequate shelter and limited access to education and healthcare and are at an increased risk of exploitation and abuse.
Moreover, according to UNICEF’s Child Marriage Factsheet, approximately 46 percent of girls are married before the age of 18, and 9 percent before the age of 15. Most of these young girls are forced into marriage as a solution to their poverty, lack of education, and their parents’ inability to support them.