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.

Bible Explorer

The 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.

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

Abel Banda - Chilanga, Sambafumu,Matenje, St Francis and Chikombe

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

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

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

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

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

Ednar Makwinja - Senga-Bay,Parachute, Nafulu, All Angels

So far the programme is conducted in 10 zones in salima district which are: Msalura, Ngolowindo, Mikute, Kaphatenga,Ngodzi, Chipoka, Lifidzi,Chitala and Katelera

52, 856 children have been reached with the Bible through the programme between 2019 - 2024,   

Christian Resource Libraries

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 263 members with 6 active satellites.

There is also a provision of pastoral training from time to time with visiting ministers from Salima. 

Starfish Library has 6 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 45 members, Ngodzi with 13 members, Mtakataka with 15 members, Thavite with 45 members, Siyasiya with 29 members now, Mponera with 15 members, Chezi with 15 members, Mvera with 13 members, Lilongwe 47 and Senga-bay with 6 members making a total number of members in the satellite centres to 243.

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

Cherish and Courage

Cherish and Courage are important programmes which help young people to make informed decisions during and after puberty.

The Clubs meet once a week, during which the leaders teach Bible lessons, with chosen topics. The emphasis is on how much God loves the youths. The teaching also focuses on remaining pure in their Christian lives and refraining from indulging in immoral activities.

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. 

Currently there are 2 active Cherish groups which are: Holy Ghost temple and New Samaritan.

 There are 2 Courage centres currently -

The New Samaritan Church where they have 15 boys

and The Holy Ghost temple where they have 13 boys  

Children's After Schools 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, Msangu, Katerera School, Rashid church of Nazarene, Gwirize Church of Nazeren, Katitima School, Chapita School, Kasamala, Gaga, G.T.O.C and Kaputu School.

We have 35 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 1,264 children attending these clubs.

Schools Linking

Partnership in the Kasungu District

We also work in partnership with the District Education Manager for Kasungu District and have developed a number of schools links there, totalling 3.  Also, we sponsor 16 secondary school students from Kasungu primary schools plus those wishing to continue into further training including teaching, journalism, driving, carpentry, etc.

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Partnership with Mission Direct at Trinity School Moyo

In 2019 Starfish formed a partnership with Mission Direct, a UK charity facilitating construction projects in many countries.  There was an urgent need for a new Primary school to be built in Moyo, where the children up to that point needed to walk 6 kilometres to school and if they were late, they were sent home.  So far 2 double classrooms have been built with a third being completed in 2024.  A teacher’s office is also being built in 2024.

Two toilet blocks have been funded and built as well.

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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 141 currently in the programme.

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, Amin Phiri and Henry Precious at University of Malawi

• Jessie Kabisa, Gracious Yona, Mussa Yassin, at Malawi University Of Business And Applied sciences (MUBAS)

• Funny Maskatitira, Hardwell Billiati, Tiyamike Banda,James Panganani and Faith Yona at Lilongwe College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR)

• Gift Yosefe and Zebron Million , Mercy Mkumbira at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES)

• Muhammad Mbandambanda 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)

• Dumisani jere, Aston Christopher and Michael Phillip at Salima Technical College

• Trevor kafukeni at Lilongwe Technical College

• Khadja Maulidi at Snt Luke school of Nursing.

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 more than 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.

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GATEWAY - Girls Access To Education

Gateway has four sewing groups. GTOC, Chitiwiri, Kaputu, Kapiri in Salima.  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 schools, we have seen a great improvement in performance of the girls both at class and in 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, shorts, and school uniforms for their own profit.  

Our main sewing group at 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. 

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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 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. Since the nurseries begun in 2004, a total of 4228 children have enjoyed free nursery education offered. 

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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.

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Chapsinja

This village on the outskirts of Lilongwe had a rural Christian outreach programme begun by Hope Missions in 2009 Starfish have been involved with the village since 2009 through funding being given by Crowborough Men’s Group who enabled the construction of a church, a primary school currently with 900 students and teacher’s housing. They also funded a feeding programme.  In addition, the men’s group sponsored 5 secondary school students and the salaries for 3 nursery school teachers and 1 church co-ordinator.

Starfish in 2024, have taken over the management of the nursery feeding programme and have facilitated repairs to the classrooms and completed the teacher’s office.

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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. In 2024 Starfish assisted the school to start a TVET programme so that the students can take exams in the skills they are learning.  The programme will also enable training of students in the community.

Hope Clinic

This free healthcare facility was funded by donors in the UK and built by Malawian labourers. It opened for patients in Autumn 2020. There is a general outpatient’s clinic which sees an average attendance of 3000 people who come from a catchment area of 13,000 people spread over many kilometres. There are also specialist clinics for children, AIDS/HIV testing and counselling, Family planning, nutrition, Physio.

In addition to the clinic there are three staff houses and a children’s wing.

In 2022 an ambulance was donated to the clinic which is used transfer patients for further treatment at Salima District Hospital

Total number of patients across all clinics –

2021 = 45,191. 

2022 = 36,570.

2023 = 44,167.

Hope Maternity

Following the official opening of the clinic, the community said that they really need maternity facilities on this site as well.  Following a large donation made in the UK, Starfish were able to start the construction on the maternity wing to Hope Clinic in 2022. This will provide free maternity facilities for the whole of the Ngolowindo area. The wing will have four delivery beds and two wards.  It is anticipated to open in early 2025.

We have also been able to build two houses for the midwives after further donations

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MJL Earth Child Orchard

We are pleased to be in partnership with Michael Jackson’s Legacy, a UK charity striving to continue helping children through donations from their supporters around the world.  In 2017 MJL donated 1000 fruit trees saplings which were nurtured, watered and then when large enough they were planted out in the new Earth Child Orchard. These are enabling many children and families in the community to have a better health due to a more balanced diet by eating the fruits of Mango, Banana, Guava and other fruits.

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Disability Care

Everland Special needs resource centre was the second large project funded by MJL in partnership with Starfish to provide for those children who had various disabilities and were finding it hard to learn in the very large class sizes of Std 1 and 2 in Ngolowindo primary school.  We wanted to provide a safe environment where specialist teachers could give a better, targeted, education in the early primary school classes, enabling the children to have a huge step forward in their studies that would set them on a good path to return back into the main school in Std 3.

In 2022 the centre opened and has a capacity of 25 students. We have seen a huge impact on the children with some speaking and interacting for the first time.

In 2023/24 there were 6 children identified that had progressed enough to be able to go into the main stream primary school

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Hospital Transport began in 2019 and is providing for those children who have physical deformities and need to have operations to help correct the limbs. The families are unable to afford the cost of transport to the main hospitals in Lilongwe.  The clinic ambulance is used for the transport of the patient and a family member.

Between 2019 and 2022, 50 children have been helped by the transport.

In 2023, 7 children were helped to hospital. Also, there is transport for the disabled children to and from Everland Centre and 12 were helped in 2023.

Partnering with Kudimba.

Since 2021, we have been pleased to be in partnership with the Kudimba Foundation that runs a centre for disabled and special needs children on the shores of Lake Malawi at Lifuwu. Starfish have assisted in writing funding proposals for them and secured an element of funds for their new kitchen block. 

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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.

Our first container was shipped in 2007 and since then we have sent 19 containers providing thousands of items for use in the schools, communities and projects. We are also able to provide space for a number of other charities working in Malawi who need to get items sent out to their projects.

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