“We are Ibrahim Nthalika and Madalitso Nthalika, a couple that is running Mmela Wathanzi project in Malawi with support from Rising Stars of Malawi, UK.
Ibrahim has worked in government for close to 10 years as a teacher at various levels of education and later joined charity organisations where he has worked now for close to 20 years. For Mmela Wathanzi he is responsible for strategic planning, liaison with Rising Stars of Malawi, UK and providing general oversight to the team.
Madalitso is a retired primary school teacher with a qualification in Community Development. She is the hands on the ground running all the projects. She works directly with the communities ensuring that project goals are met.
We have proudly run the Mmela Wathanzi project [feeding centre] now for over a year and have just opened a new centre (Mmela Wathanzi 2)”
Village Head Guliguli
“I am chief Guliguli. This centre was started by Pentecostal church in 2002. Later, another church took over and when they left, we did not have any support until when ActionAid supported us with some building materials. We erected this building and children started learning. It was on a dusty floor and no windows. Later we Plan International, introduced feeding program. Children numbers grew but when they phased out, the numbers drastically dropped because many children were hungry due to food scarcity in the community.
This year we received support from Mmela Wathanzi. They pledged to start a feeding program and renovate our structure. Within a month, the building is almost complete and has already transformed this place. Children in this village cannot wait to start using this beautiful and clean facility. We all look forward to healthy children following the feeding program that will be introduced.
As a community leader, I am very thankful to Mmela Wathanzi and pledge my support for any further initiatives that Mmela may introduce for the betterment of our community. Already it is tempting to think of introducing standard 1 in the near future considering that our children start school very late since the nearest primary school is too far and across a bridgeless river.”
Mr Maximos, Builder
“I am a proud community builder looking at how this place is transforming. Our children are destined for a bright future. Being from this community, I have collective ownership of this structure and will not allow it to be vandalised in any way. I am ready to be part of any future projects for our community.”
Caregivers
Martha Kazonga and Chifundo Ganizani. We have been working here since the centre started in early two thousands. Children enrolment has been ranging from 27 to 72. It has been difficult to control children because we had no windows and doors. Now that we have a complete structure, we look forward to exciting times with our children
Village Head Mtelema
I am village head Mtelema, under chief Guliguli. We are very thankful for this gift of a feeding and learning centre. This centre was pathetic with children sitting on dusty floor, no windows, no doors and a risky toilet where children needed to be careful when using. Now we have a top class toilet, safe and user friendly for children. The buildings here are already a centre of attraction in this community. Please know that you have been received here with both hands. May God continue blessing you.
