About Us
The DreamWeaver Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation working in Prisons in Malawi. We are committed to improving the lives of young people aged 16-24, who are incarcerated at the 5 Juvenile Prisons the country, namely Kachere, Bzyanzi, Mikuyu II, Chilwa and Mpemba Juvenile Prisons.
Goal: Supporting young offenders to live healthy, productive and dignified lives
Statistical facts about malawi prisons
+
1
%
released young offenders end up back in prison within 24 months
+
1
%
prisoners in Malawi have only some level of primary school education
1
%
Prisons dont provide any type of technical training to inmates during incarceration
Stand with
US. Always.
building on lessons learned
During the 3 years that we have been working in prisons, we’ve learned that imates do not make full use of idle time. Keeping in mind the fact that most prisoners eventually return home, our view is that inmates can use this idle time to improve themselves and gain valuable practical skills and knowledge, which they can use to improve their socioeconomic situation once they return to the community, .
It is imperative that inmates are equipped with the knowledge and skills which can translate into jobs and enable them to support themselves and their families. To that end, the Foundation will from 2020, begin to provide training to inmates in practical livelihood skills such as welding, tailoring and carpentry.
We believe such skills and knowledge have the potential to not only transform the lives of ex-offenders, but also reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Why prisoners!
Young people prison represent one of the most vulnerable groups among the youth population in the country. Incarceration limits their ability to access and participate in social services and programs, including health and education. Inevitably, young people in prison are unable to use their time in prison to better themselves. Once released, young ex-offenders often find themselves in poor health and in worse socioeconomic position than before going to prison.
We believe that the period of incarceration can be put to better use; we believe that young people in prison should use the time spent in prison to improve themselves, and in doing so, young ex-offenders are empowered to return to their communities as healthy, productive and dignified members of society.
our approach
Our work in prison focuses on improving the health conditions of inmates and ensure that prisoners are afforded with the same type of healthcare services that is available in the community.
There are about 15,000 prisoners in Malawi who are housed in facilities meant for about 5,000 people. This inevitably results in overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions. Skin infections, malaria and HIV are just a few of the health challenges that inmates face everyday.
Through our advocacy work, we facilitate the provision of essential health services to inmates on site. We partner with the District Health Offices (DHO), who provide qualified clinical personnel and lab technicians to support prison officers who function as Patient Attendants at Prison clinics.
We also work with prisoners to improve their socioeconomic situation. Keeping in mind the fact that prisoners eventually return home, it is imperative that when they leave prison, they are equipped with the knowledge and skills which can translate into employment and enable them to support themselves and their families, thereby reducing the likelihood of recidivism. To that end, we provide training to inmates in practical livelihood skills such as welding, shoe mending, tailoring and carpentry.
Since 2017, the foundation has partnered with the SRHR Trust, The Lighhouse Trust, the District Health Offices, local government and community leaders, to improve the health and socioeconomic positions of 2700 young offenders at Bzyanzi and Kachere Prisons.