Pamoza Malawi
Improve governance
In selected target communities through inclusive participatory communication and leadership in committees for sectoral and cross-sectoral integrated reporting and decision-making, including anticipatory management of risks from disasters and climate change
Sustainably Alleviate Youth Impoverishment
To sustainably alleviate youth impoverishment, underemployment and delinquency effects through co-determining needed agricultural and/or non-agricultural skills and steps to help them achieve desirable transformation.
Access to Basic Services
In selected target communities through inclusive participatory communication and leadership in committees for sectoral and cross-sectoral integrated reporting and decision-making, including anticipatory management of risks from disasters and climate change
Initiatives
Since 2019, Pamoza Social Enterprise has been conducting assessments and working together with various partners to provide such vulnerable groups with prioritized needs, including professional training courses on environmentally and socially sustainable livelihood, entrepreneurship, and life skills so that they can create and sell needed products and services, open and manage businesses, and better care for their families and their overall communities in the short-term and the longer-term.
- Saloon and dreadlocks
- Recycled and bead artwork
UP COMING EVENTS
“Celebrating life : a cultural festival for mental health” has an aim of promoting and preserving the local culture of northern Malawi and to raise awareness through art on mental health challenges, as stigma, suicidal risk and vulnerability with a focus on gender based violence (GBV).
As the month of November is dedicated to the 16 days period of activism for GBV in Malawi, Pamoza Social Enterprise chose this month to bring awareness on this topic through a cultural festival, as reducing GBV and improving mental health fall under the social well-being pillar of the three pillar approach.
As art is also an integral component of Pamoza’s approach to addressing various other topics such as employment and environmental conservation, we have chosen to launch the activities tobe conducted at the community center in Mlowe with this art festival for mental health.
The festival is intended for the local community as well as all people who would like to come toenjoy, learn and participate in the festival. Its aim is to create a cultural event to bring people together to exchange and learn about crucial topics of our society as well as to enjoy and appreciate art. As it is a new festival, we plan for it to only be for the two days of 16-17 November and have free admission with entrants encouraged to give donations for Pamoza projects.
There will be a camping site where festival attendees can pay to sleep in tents; venues for workshops on mental health and for movies and short theater plays on GBV; a shaded space for cultural dances such as well-known Malawi Northern Region traditional dances the Malipenga and Mbotosha during the day and Vimbuza at night; and a stage for music and poetry artists to
perform, which we will aim to include at least one well-known Malawian singer. All the local performers will have a workshop on mental health prior to the event, for them to understand and to create performances (songs, dances etc.) related to these topics. 6 Bars and restaurants will be run by members of the local community with affordable prices. Stalls will be stocked with items made by the staff and students of Pamoza Social Enterprise for sale. And yoga sessions for improved well-being will be available for attendees.
Fundraising is planned to be done through an evening music event at venues to be announced in Lilongwe and Mzuzu in September and October 2024. These events will raise money for the festival while helping to promote it. There will also be a one-day hike to the waterfall, the lake shore trail, and other beautiful sites around Mlowe that will be organized to raise funds from area tourists. We welcome additional fundraising activity ideas.
Partnership is desired for organizing and implementing a festival that can best benefit attendees and the local community. Current partners of Pamoza include Teveta Malawi with employment skills training support; Caring hands with mental health workshop support; Art Malawi with waste management support; and Adventure of Colby with hike organization support. Additional partners are sought to help and contribute in any way deemed suitable for them
Project in Northern Malawi
After four years of working in the southern region of Malawi, Pamoza decided to shift its focus to a new project in Mlowe village in the northern part of the country. In 2023, Pamoza rehabilitated an abandoned maize mill provided by the local traditional authority to be the community livelihoods skills training and arts center for people from Mlowe and neighboring communities.
Maize Mill Rehabilitation in Mlowe Village
In 2023, we rehabilitated an abandoned maize mill space given to us by T/A Mwamlowe. We built it with ecological materials to be used as a Training Centre, space for cultural arts exchange as well as educating the community on GBV, environmental conservation and elderly engagement.
PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED
We are reaching out with an urgent call for help. A devastating cyclone has recently swept through our region, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The cyclone struck with unprecedented force, bringing with it torrential rains, ferocious winds, and widespread flooding.
In the aftermath of this natural disaster, our immediate priorities are:
- Shelter: Providing temporary housing solutions for displaced families to ensure their safety and security.
- Basic Necessities: Distributing food, clean water, clothing, and medical supplies to those in need.
- Rebuilding Infrastructure: Restoring power, water supply, and transportation networks to reconnect communities.
- Support for Businesses: Offering financial aid and resources to help local businesses recover and rebuild.
How You Can Help
We are appealing to the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations to support our emergency relief efforts. Your contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this disaster.