How one girl from Malawi is helping herself

In many African countries, an illness called HIV is making many people ill. If the illness gets worse it can develop into AIDS and kill people who can't afford medicine.

Many people in Malawi have died of AIDS or are ill with HIV. The medicine to help people with HIV/AIDS is very expensive and there is no cure. Most people are farmers, so if the adults are ill or die, there is no one to grow or look for food, and no money coming in.

Mary lives in Yohanne village, Malawi. Both her parents died of AIDS. After that she lived with her aunt where she got involved with a group that teaches new skills to children who don't have parents. Mary was taught how to sew and now she makes dresses and trousers for people.

'I feel very happy,' she says. 'The money I earn pays for the rent and extra things like soap. I'm proud that I have learnt a skill and have a job. Sometimes I mend things for old people for free.'

Lots of Mary's friends do not have parents and some have got married because they haven't got jobs or money to buy food and clothes. In the future, Mary would like to teach other people the skills she has learnt, so that they can look after themselves and don't have to go hungry.

Gholshah, 12, from Afghanistan is engaged to be married
Fish ponds in Malawi are helping people get enough to eat

Christian Aid/Katie Splevins

Mary at her sewing machine


Where is Malawi?