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Malawi

Malawi is a peaceful country often called the 'Warm Heart of Africa'. The scenery is beautiful and varied and Malawians are extremely friendly toward travellers. There are, however, few natural resources and its main trade is tobacco, tea and coffee.

Malawi's population is sadly one of the poorest in the world with around 85% living in rural villages in small one-roomed dwellings without electricity or running water. Many of the children are undernourished and underweight. Malaria, Aids and other disease rates are high, resulting in thousands of orphaned children and one-parent families.

In the main southern city of Blantyre, there are estimated to be around 3500 children, some as young as five, sleeping in doorways and begging for food. Most of the children have no family to turn to and now are vulnerable to abuse, disease and even death.