Malawi has a young population 66 percent of its 16.2 million people are under age 25 :53 percent are 18 and young 16.7 percent of children under 18 are orphans and vulnerable children .
Nearly one million OVC have lost one or both parents to AIDS .One fifth of Malawian households are looking after OVC,and many of these are headed by girls ,women and elderly women .The majority of families caring for OVC in Malawi lack the means to provide basic necessities -OVC very often lack parental care and proper nutrition, have in adequate shelter and limited access to education and healthcare, and are an increased risk of exploitation and abuse .