SOCIAL INCLUSION AND
DEVELOPMENT
Creating space for dignity, protection, livelihoods,
and participation in Balaka
Social inclusion, supported by our main partner Orizzonte Malawi Onlus (link to www.orizzontemalawi.org) is part of Andiamo’s wider commitment to accompany the most vulnerable members of the community through practical responses that protect dignity, strengthen belonging, and create new opportunities. Our work in this area supports vulnerable children, older people, and adults in need of livelihoods, while also creating spaces for exchange, participation, and local development.
At Andiamo, social inclusion means ensuring that no one is left at the margins because of poverty, age, vulnerability, or lack of opportunity. Through family-based care, elderly support, job creation initiatives, and responsible social tourism, we work to strengthen human dignity and social participation across different stages of life.
This area connects protection with development. It responds to immediate needs, but it also helps build longer-term pathways of care, work, and community belonging in Balaka.
Our work in Social Inclusion and Development includes:
Family-based care and protection for vulnerable children
Residential support for vulnerable older people
Job creation and livelihood opportunities through the social cooperative
Social tourism initiatives linked to culture, solidarity, and local development
Borehole rehabilitation and water access initiatives for vulnerable communities
73
73 jobs opportunities created in 2025
52
vulnerable children protected and re-introduced to school
7
7 vulnerable elderly welcome and protected in our elderly village
$30,000
USD generated through our self generating incomes initiatives
Tigawane Family House
Tigawane Family House offers protection, care, and a stable environment for vulnerable children who cannot safely remain in their homes. The programme focuses not only on shelter, but also on education, emotional support, daily care, and pathways toward family reintegration whenever possible and appropriate.
In cooperation with SunChild Foundation (link website www.sun-child.org), Tigawane is also strengthening mental health and psychology support for children and adolescents. Through training, accompaniment, and child centred activities, this partnership helps staff and caregivers better recognise emotional needs, provide appropriate psychosocial support, and promote healthier development for children under care.
This work reflects a family-based approach to child protection. The goal is to ensure that children grow in safety, dignity, and belonging, while also working with the wider community to promote child rights and stronger parental responsibility.
S. Andrea Elderly Village
At the S. Andrea Elderly Village, Andiamo welcomes elderly people who are vulnerable, isolated, or without family support. Residents receive shelter, meals, care, and companionship in a safe environment that respects their dignity and value.
This programme is rooted in the belief that inclusion must also embrace later stages of life. By accompanying older people with care and respect, Andiamo affirms that ageing should not mean abandonment or exclusion.
Livelihoods and Job Creation
Social inclusion also means creating opportunities for adults and young people to work, contribute, and support themselves with dignity. Through the Andiamo Social Cooperative, artisans’ workshops, hospitality, and related initiatives, the Trust helps generate livelihoods while strengthening local skills and economic participation
This part of the work links social support with long-term development. It helps reduce vulnerability not only by responding to need, but by expanding access to income, practical skills, and more stable futures.
Social Tourism with Rivista Africa
Andiamo also promotes social tourism in collaboration with Rivista Africa. These journeys combine cultural discovery with visits to community projects, creating opportunities for encounter, solidarity, and a deeper understanding of Malawi’s people, traditions, and everyday realities.
This part of the work links social support with long-term development. It helps reduce vulnerability not only by responding to need, but by expanding access to income, practical skills, and more stable futures.
Borehole Rehabilitation
Access to safe water is an essential part of community wellbeing and social inclusion. Through borehole rehabilitation and related water access initiatives, Andiamo helps restore reliable sources of clean water for communities that would otherwise face long distances, unsafe water points, or daily uncertainty in meeting basic needs.
This work contributes to health, dignity, and everyday resilience. By improving access to clean water, borehole rehabilitation helps reduce water-borne disease, eases the burden on women and children, and strengthens the conditions for healthier and more stable community life.
Why social inclusion matters
Social inclusion is essential to building a more just and self-reliant community. It means protecting children, valuing older people, creating livelihoods, and making sure that vulnerable individuals are not excluded from care, opportunity, and social life.
For Andiamo, development is not only about services. It is also about belonging, dignity, and participation, so that each person can find a place within the life of the community.