Impact of our work

This page displays what Starfish Malawi has achieved since the work began.

We give praise to God for how He has enabled this to be done and give thanks to all our supporters, trusts and organisations, who have provided funds and more, to enable the work to be established and to continue

Schools Linking

Malawi - UK Linked Schools

98 schools have been partnered through the Schools Linking Programme since it began in 2006. 327,020 children have been impacted in Malawi. Local schools in Salima and Kasungu have been linked with UK Schools as part of the British Council link programme. Those included are as follows:

11 in Kasungu District:

Kaufipa, Thasa, Mkanakhoti, Kauyemba, Vazala, Sopani, Chikwawa, Boma, Kajendere, Chikomambuzi and Kanthenga.

33 in Salima District:

Mgoza, Chipoka 2, Kaphatenga, Chigombe, Chimbalanga, Kalonga, Kambwiri, Chimweta, Salima LEA,  Simayiwa, Mtiya, Ngodzi, Chitiwiri, Thugulu, Chitala, Chikombola, Chikuluti, Maganga, Napache, Ngolowindo, Chimsolo, Katitima, Chiyembekezo (Chapsinja), Makande, Chiluwa II, Chipili ( Lilongwe ), Chisiyo (Lilongwe) Mtumbira, Naluva, Thavite, Ntchentche, Kapiri and Sele.

School construction projects funded and managed by Starfish Malawi as a result of the above links. 

Plus:

162 Portable boards distributed to various schools

33 Fixed boards replaced in different schools

45 boards repainted

Secondary School Sponsorship

Secondary school education in Malawi is not free, so Starfish Malawi decided to introduce a Secondary Education Sponsorship Programme in 2005. So far, over 500 students have benefited from the scheme with 198 currently in the programme.

3 sponsored are attending schools for the deaf.

153 sponsored students are sponsored in Secondary Schools both in Kasungu and Salima Districts.

45 students are now at universities and colleges.

 For example, we have the following:

• Cassim Madwell, Esnart Thindwa, Tiyamike Banda, Amin Phiri and Henry Precious at Chancellor College

• Jessie Kabisa, Gracious Yona, Mussa Yassin, Kennedy Chimasula and Blessings Banda at University of Malawi Polytechnic

• Funny Maskatitira, Teleza Luka, Steven Msongola and Faith Yona at Lilongwe College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)

• Gift Yosefe and Zebron Million at Kamuzu College of Health Sciences

• Prince Kumbande, Muhammad Mbandambanda and Clement Mussa at Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)

• Sandro Banda and Frank Magombo at Blantyre International University (BIU)

• Lakina Milanzi, Chifundo Liveson, Lonjezo Stayford, Kefless Chipeta and Alfred Linyanja at Mzuzu University (MZUNI)

• Dorothy Matola at Catholic University

•  Dumisani and Michael Phillip at Salima Technical College

Many of our sponsored students go on to productive careers such as doctor, nurse, teacher, businessman etc. supporting themselves, their family and the community at large. Since the programme began 90 students have progressed to a career from university or college.

We would like to thank the District Council and District Education Manager for the support given in mobilizing the communities to participate in the development for their local schools.

GATEWAY - Girls Access To Education

Gateway (GTOC) has seven women sewing groups. GTOC, Chitiwiri, Napache, Kaputu, Thugulu, Kapiri in Salima and Kajendere in Kasungu.  So far 10284 kits were produced since 2016 and 8239 kits were distributed in schools in Salima Lilongwe and Kasungu. The kits were distributed in 85 schools, 77 of those are primary schools and 8 are Community day secondary schools.  In all these schools the teachers confirmed that there was a great need of sanitary kits and in most school’s, we have seen a great improvement in performance of the girls both at class and exams. This is shown in the performance record of girls that we collect every six months after distribution. 

Apart from sewing the sanitary kits, women in some groups have also developed other skills of sewing different things from kits.  They make dresses, shirts, shots, and school uniforms for their own profit.  

Our main sewing group GTOC, has also trained 8 women sewing groups from different parts of Malawi.  These women are also doing a great job of helping girls in their communities. 

Glad Tidings Children’s Centre (GTOC)

The Glad Tidings Children’s Centre (also known and referred to as GTOC) is a rural programme that’s been reaching out to orphans and vulnerable children since 2003.

The Glad Tidings Centre has registered 240+ orphans and vulnerable children who are monitored and supported in education, health, psychosocial and physical wellbeing. 

The centre continues to serve the Ngolowindo zone with good health care outreach services, a Saturday children’s club (motivational talks, Christian faith teaching, games and lunch), 4 nursery schools and After School Clubs.  Currently 525 are registered to attend the nurseries and since the nurseries begun in 2004, a total of 4228 children have enjoyed free nursery education offered. 

Children's Clubs

Since the programme began in 2008, we’ve had 2,482 children registered. We now have 14 children’s clubs in schools, orphan care centres and Churches.  These are; Mtemeiti school, Malapa school, Takomana church of the CCAP, Msangu Assemblies of God, Katerera School ,Chikombola school, Rashid church of Nazarene, Gwirize Church of Nazeren, Katitima School, Lifuwu Assemblies of God, Chapita School, Gaga, G.T.O.C and Kaputu School.

We have 45 committed Volunteers, both men and women who are working in these centres. They receive regular training in the areas of preparing and running their activities of and also personal Christian discipleship so that they are well equipped to lead these Clubs not only with stimulating activities, good Bible teaching but also a spiritual depth to really encourage a growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  We have around 1,594 children attending these clubs.

Children's Resources Container

Starfish Malawi arrange for the funding, collection and delivery of an annual container from the UK containing resources for the linked schools, orphan centres and nurseries – all those with whom we partner with.  These include educational books, educational equipment, school furniture and toys.

Christian Resource Library

In February 2011 we opened a Christian resource library to be used by local Pastors to assist them in theological study. We have a good choice of excellent books donated from the UK and also offer the free use of computers and internet. We now have 150 members with 40 active members.

There is also a provision of pastoral training from time to time with visiting ministers from UK.  Our teachers working with the UK schools through school linking program are welcome to use the computers and internet connection in order to utilize the starfish e- language website.

Starfish Library has 10 active satellites to help pastors from different areas access Biblical information from the books starfish provide with titles such as unlocking the Bible, Preaching through the Bible.

These are the mini-libraries, Chipoka with 31 members, Ngodzi with 15 members, Mtakataka with 15 members, Thavite with 52 members, Matenje with 21 members now, Mponera with 22 members, Chezi with 27 members, Mvera with 18 members, Scheme with 15 members and Senga-bay with 22 members making a total number of members in the satellite centres to 238.

Our main library next to Starfish Office provides an environment for local students to study using our resources of school curriculum text books. (Such resources are very scarce in the schools' libraries). 

Partnership in Kasungu District

We also work in partnership with the District Education Manager for Kasungu District and have developed a number of school links there, totalling 25.  Also we sponsor 29 secondary school students from Kasungu primary schools plus those wishing to continue into further training including teaching, journalism, driving, carpentry, etc.

Bible Explorer

Bible Explorer Programme started as a pilot project in 2012 in the following Schools ; Msalura, Kaputu, Simaewa and Salima L.E.A with the objective of bringing the kingdom of God in the lives of Children.

The BX presenter’s goal is to provide Bible knowledge through sharing the various stories to raise spiritual awareness and encourage good life choices for children of all faiths. The presenters use props, pictures, hand signs, story-telling and discuss how they can be applied to real life situations.

11 years later, the programme has expanded into 57 Schools and these are as follows;

Name of the presenter/ teacher and names of the schools

Wiseman Mussa - Chitiwiri, Kapira, Kambwiri, Kaphatenga and Msalura.

Tionge Sitima - Salima L.E.A, Karonga, Kaputu, Mtumbira and Chimweta.

Abel Banda - Chilanga, Sambamfumu, Matenje, St Francis and Chikombe.

Benard Phiri - Chimbalanga, Maganga, Chigombe, Simaewa and Kapiri.

Hendrina Chipasula - Kanjuwi, Mlesi, M'chenga, M'nema and Nthumbo.

Richard Elton Nkhwazi - Napache, Chimsolo, Thugulu and Chitipi.

George Edward - Mtunthama, Lungumadzi, Mpita, Mtemeiti and Katelera.

Malinga Kasoliphetsa - M'khula, Chipoka 1, Chipoka 2 and Mtiya.

Agnes Gama - Salima L.E.A, Ngolowindo, Ntchentche, Demera and Chikombola.

Sembe Dziwitse - Chikuluti, Chinguluwe, M'goza, Makande and Kanyanyata.

Jonathan Beyard - Namanda, M'thawaluba, Chitala, Katitima and Msaza

Ivy Thomas - Senga-Bay, Mikute, Parachute, Nafulu, All Angels

NB; From  ''2019- 2023 '', 64, 775 learners been have reached with the programme.

The programme is conducted in the following zones ;  Ngolowindo, Chitala, Kaphatenga, Lifidzi, Chipoka, Ngodzi, Matenje, Msalura and Katelera.

Cherish and Courage

In 2017, Starfish introduced the Cherish Course into the Gateway programme. 20 women from 10 groups were trained to teach Cherish in their different communities.  Each group comprises of 2 trainers and a maximum of 15 girls. Cherish has already reached out to over 300 girls in different communities.  So far, we have received good reports from parents and Cherish trainers.  Among others, Cherish has impacted love, discipline and knowledge of God to the girls. 

The 10 centres are: 

Glad Tidings, Kaputu Children Club, Winners Chapel Church, Malapa Children Club, Mtemeiti Children, Nsangu Assemblies of God Church, Rashid Children Club, Takumana, Lifuwu and Wings of Revival Church

Literacy Leaders Programme

Pioneered by a British primary school teacher, Rachel Ormrod in 2017, rolled out to 5 local primary schools and nurseries.  This programme has impacted a total of 17,000.  The result has seen an improvement in the delivery of the teachers and subsequently an overwhelming improvement in learners’ preparation for primary education and performance in examinations.

Hope Mission

Hope Mission is a rural Christian outreach programme in south Lilongwe. Starfish have been administering the funding for the construction of a church, a primary school and teacher’s housing. Also, the sponsorship of 5 secondary school students and salaries for 3 nursery school teachers and 1 church co-ordinator.

Vocational Training

A vocational training centre has been established at Ngolowindo Primary School to teach the children, who may not reach the academic level required to go forward to secondary school, practical skills that they could use to start small businesses. Please view the latest impact report of the work at the centre

Vocational Training at Ngolowindo - from our visit in May 2023

More information coming soon

Hope Clinic

Everland Special needs resource centre and disability awareness programme

Trinity school Moyo

Partnering with Kudimba.