Parents for Disabled Children Association of Malawi (PODCAM) works to represent and support the interests of children with disabilities at all levels of social, economic, political and cultural activities.

PODCAM is a non-profit organisation that was established in 1998. It has over 20,000 members including parents and guardians of children with disabilities who volunteer for the organisation and operate in 23 out of 28 districts in Malawi. PODCAM are a member organisation of FEDOMA and Inclusion Africa.

With a mission to create a society which promotes the rights of children with disabilities, leading to better protection and development goals, PODCAM have four main organisational objectives:

• To mobilise parents of children with disabilities towards the uplifting of their living conditions
• To lobby the government and the private sector on the aspirations of children with disabilities.
• To create awareness on the plight of children with disabilities through provision of information on the development, protection and survival of children.
• To facilitate provision of conducive learning environment for children with disabilities.

Able Child began working with PODCAM in 2023, with PODCAM joining as one of the founding members of the Able Child Africa Network. With a shared common goal of advocating for the rights of children with disabilities and projects that focus on the enrolment of children with disabilities into education, PODCAM are a strong addition to the network.

We are currently working together on a community-based inclusive Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme in Malawi. The programme utilises a low-cost community-based play scheme model to increase access to ECD for children with disabilities, upskilling community caregivers and parents as key changemakers.