Malawi

Date Started:

2008

Locations (incl. clinics and nearby communities):

132

New Clients Enrolled (2021):

416,534

New Clients Reached Through eServices (2021):

8,218

Mentor Mothers (2021):

430

Country Director:

Dr. Bridget Malewezi

Our work in Malawi

mothers2mothers’ (m2m) programme in Malawi is contributing to HIV epidemic control efforts through the implementation of a peer-based, integrated service delivery model targeted at priority populations (including pregnant women living with HIV, mother-infant pairs, children, and adolescents). Since 2008, m2m’s flagship Mentor Mother Model has been adapted into a responsive, client-centred approach that increases the efficiency and quality of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services.

m2m Malawi has been a leader in developing new innovative programmes. It pioneered the development and implementation of the Community Mentor Mother programme where Mentor Mothers work door to door in local communities, linking women and families to nearby health centres for medical care. It was also the first country to integrate early childhood development and nutrition into its reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services work. Younger Peer Mentors have also been employed to deliver sexual and reproductive health education to adolescent girls and young women and to support them in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Malawi was the first country of operation for m2m to recruit and employ men living with HIV as Expert Clients, as part of our adapted peer support approach for special key populations living with HIV. In the future, m2m looks forward to continuing its innovation, integrating further primary health care programme streams in response to the growing health needs of our clients and their families.

Our Impact in Malawi

Success Story

Growing up in her community in Lilongwe, Josophine Kalombola always felt different. Unlike her siblings, she had to take pills every day.

Not knowing why, Josephine often hid them or threw them away. In 2020, she became sick and went to the clinic where a nurse referred her to m2m. With the support of her Mentor Mother, Thoko, Josephine learned she had been born with HIV. Thoko helped her accept the news by introducing her to other young people like her at an m2m support group. Today, Josephine works for m2m as a Peer Mentor for adolescents. She is now the person giving hope to girls in her community—talking to them about the importance of understanding their status, ensuring they have access to sexual and reproductive health information, and serving as a role model for those who are fearful of the future or who are also living with HIV.