Rural Malawians do not celebrate birthdays as people do in some other countries. Most babies are delivered at home and individuals often do not have official birth certificates. Parents associate the birth of a child with a particular season or important event, but might not know the specific date. Malawian families want to have as many children as possible because they are considered a valuable resource. A large family means more hands to help on the farm and guarantees that the parents will be taken care of in their old age.
Life is difficult for many Malawian families.
Sixty percent lives in poverty. Most people lack access to safe water. Nearly half of the population is illiterate. Since 1994, primary education in Malawi has been free. School enrollment is increasing, but academic performance is declining.