Able Kids Rehab

This is a story of true struggle 😢

The Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, Dr Kisu Simwaka writes; Malawi headline inflation eases further to 21.1% in June

1. The latest numbers tell us inflation continues to come down. Headline inflation declined to 21.1% in June from 23.4% in May. This brings some relief to households. The decline was driven primarily by lower food prices. Food inflation fell sharply to 14.7%, down from 17.6% in May. This is a massive drop from a peak of 44.9% in January 2024. It reflects a better harvest and improved food supply. This highlights an undeniable truth: when we grow what we consume, we protect our domestic economy from imported inflation.

2. The less encouraging part is non-food inflation. It is still stubbornly elevated at 32.1%, down only marginally from 33.0% in May. Colleagues, this is where your fuel, transport, rent, imported goods and public inflation expectations live. And it is refusing to move. A good harvest is helping us right now, but non-food inflationary pressures in the economy are still very much alive and kicking

3. But let’s remember where the journey started. Headline inflation has been stuck above 20% since June 2022, peaking at a severe 35% in January 2024. In response to these massive pressures, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) acted decisively in February 2024 by raising the policy rate to 26%. Was it painful? Absolutely. Did people complain? Yes. But it worked! By November 2024, headline inflation was dragged down to 27%.

4. Since then, the disinflation path has been incredibly volatile. We saw inflation rise to 30.5% in March 2025, drop to 27.1% in June, spike back to 29.1% in October 2025, and then drop for five straight months to 23.8% in March 2026. This sustained drop finally gave the RBM the necessary policy space to reduce the policy rate to 24% in May 2026

5. The little uptick to 24.3% in April - caused by the April 1 fuel price hike – was purely temporary. The drop back to 21.1% in June 2026 confirms the downward momentum is back, thanks to lower food costs and stable fuel prices. The real worry, look here, is that non-food inflation has barely moved. It sits at 32.1% now, down marginally from 33.0% in May. It was 33.2% three months ago. This stickiness tells us that past exchange rate adjustments are still transmitting to domestic prices through import prices. Furthermore, it signals that public inflation expectations have not yet fully adjusted downward. We must firmly anchor those expectations. In short, headline inflation is improving, but non-food inflation remains sticky.

6. Looking ahead, headline inflation should continue to decline gradually in the second half of the year, hitting teens by the fourth quarter. But let me qualify that: this will only happen provided food supplies remain adequate, the Kwacha stays steady, and global prices don’t re-accelerate. We must keep our eyes on the ball.

7. To wrap up, we are making great strides toward price stability. Dropping inflation from 35% in January 2024 to 21.1% in June 2026 is a major success. The numbers are moving in the right direction. But let’s face facts: we are not yet at price stability. The real hard work starts now. We must bring inflation down to single digits and keep it there.

8. Our biggest threat right now is a dark cloud on the horizon—an impending El Nino event that threatens to cut rains across our Southern region districts and disrupt the next harvest. Given this climate risk, it is prudent that we act early. Let’s pre-preposition agricultural inputs, support irrigation, and ensure adequate grain reserves ahead of El Nino. Let’s build up our strategic grain reserves right now while domestic and regional prices are still low. Let’s do it now!

9. If we do this, we can ensure that this disinflation is sustained and that we return to price stability. If we do this, we can move from crisis management to economic growth. If we don’t, we will be having this same conversation next year, with different numbers, but the same story

10. The Reserve Bank of Malawi remains fully committed to restoring price stability. We know that high inflation imposes a significant burden, especially on the poor who are least able to meet the rising costs of essentials. We will continue to take the actions necessary. More importantly, we will explain clearly to the public what we are doing and why we are doing it. That transparency itself is part of how we anchor public inflation expectations and deliver on our mandate.

Thank you to the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Humanity Fund for your amazing donation!

Just a regular, crazy busy, happy, productive day at Able Kids

Able kids end of year thank you

Within a few short hours, it will be New Year’s in Malawi. As with anyone reading this, New Year’s is a time for reflection on the past year and hopes for the incoming year. I’m pretty sure that most folks would say 2025 has had a few challenges, for others, there’s been many. The Able kids families are all too familiar with struggle and challenges daily. But because of people and organizations like our incredible donors, we continue to get past some of those challenges. This year, we even introduced a new outreach program, which has been an overwhelmingly positive success. We visit 1 of four different communities once every 2 weeks, we share knowledge, therapy techniques, food, and companionship. Parents are given support to help them better understand and care for their child with special needs. Back at Able Kids the day starts early at 7 AM and can often go to five or 6 PM. Preparing the day for 100 wee souls: therapies, education, nutrition and love all shared patiently at their level whatever it is. Always a privilege to serve ❤️
Thank you for your continued support and for allowing us to continue to support the children. You have improved all of our lives.
Happy new year and all the best from Able Kids.
Special thanks goes out to our corporate and Church donors
Greygates Foundation
Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario,
Peterborough K.M. Hunter Foundation
St. Tim’s Outreach program - St. Tim’s church
And to our private donors who are truly like family ❤️

New wheels for a bunch of folks who had none at outreach last week ❤️

If you didn’t know what Victor does when he’s not busy at Able Kids he is an MP for the Malawian government representing his home constituency of Mulanje/Bale. He has currently taken on a small project of suiting up selected children with school uniforms. When you live in a developing country, it’s not just a given that everyone will have a school uniform, so even though the majority don’t get one they are so happy for those that do. A boys uniform which is a shirt, costs about eight dollars and a girls uniform which is a dress is about $11-$12. These are some pictures of the joy that rises from this momentous event. 

ETFO we love that you chose Able Kids for your Humanitarian Award again this year. We are so grateful ❤️❤️❤️

Greetings from Able Kids. We wanted to share that last Friday we went on a road trip to do some outreach. We traveled to a village 58 km away. We took CP chairs, five staff members and a slide. Because this region has been hit hard with hunger we also took along a good supply of eggs, rice, soya porridge, and Nsima (corn flour). Dozens of children lined up to be assessed. The visit was a success, and we hope to return soon. We were so pleased with the turnout. One of this year’s initiatives Able Kids has set into motion is to do more outreach.

The food situation in Malawi is getting worse 😥 If you haven’t donated this year, please consider Able Kids, 125 children can depend on a hot nutritious lunch daily with your help.