About Us and Our Work
U·la·lo
/Oo-lah-loh/
noun
1. Chichewa word for Bridge.
Ulalo helps youth reach their full potential by building a bridge to a better Malawi.
Ulalo helps youth reach their full potential by crafting pathways to success and a bridge to a better Malawi. We have over ten years of effective collaboration with schools, communities and governments delivering solutions that improve education outcomes, strengthen health ecosystems, build thriving, self-reliant communities and foster financial freedom and entrepreneurship. Aligning with the United Nations Social Development Goals, Ulalo influences policy for a lasting impact, transforming lives and communities across Malawi.
Our Vision
Our vision is to empower youth, so they have the means to achieve greatness.
Our Mission
Empowering children and young people to thrive, reach their full learning potential and positively contribute to society.
Our Values
At Ulalo, we strive to:
Be Inclusive: Valuing equity and diversity, ensuring no one is left behind.
Be Innovative: Growing new, impactful ideas through creativity and ongoing learning.
Be Exceptional Partners: Developing thriving partnerships through unparalleled collaboration.
Be Sustainable: Working in ways that benefit present and future generations.
Be Influential & inspirational: Influencing policy, legislation and services to transform lives locally and across Malawi.
Have Integrity: Safeguarding transparency and accountability, the bedrock of trust and the pillars of positive long-term relationships.
What We Do
We believe in the power of change.
Youth have the potential to be active agents of change and leverage their collective influence to transform communities. While steadily improving, literacy and numeracy rates in Malawi are some of the lowest in the world. By age 10, 87% of children in Malawi cannot read and of students between age 7 and 14, only 13% have foundational numeracy skills. As of 2019, the World Bank noted that Malawi is the fourth poorest country in the world. Our greatest hope is that our health, education, community and entrepreneurship initiatives will be the much-needed catalyst that breaks the cycle of youth underachievement and poverty in Malawi.
Our multifaceted approach includes:
Improve EDUCATION outcomes through:
Technology
Training
Teachers
Create thriving COMMUNITIES by:
Infrastructure
Transportation
Advocacy
Build a stronger HEALTH ecosystem by improving:
Healthcare
Nutrition
Sanitation
Foster ENTREPRENEURSHIP to promote:
Autonomy
Agriculture
Sustainability
Meet the Team
Administration
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James Gondwe
Founder and Executive Director
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Chifundo Chidumu
Director of Operations, Resources & Administration
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Future Chigulu
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
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Chifundo Zingude
Communications and Media Engagement Officer
Finance
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Tina Mkandawire
Finance and Administration Manager
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Josephine Khonje
Finance and Administration Assistant
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Cedric Makuta
Finance and Administration Officer
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Mphatso Morris
Finance and Administration Officer
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Anikisa Mwanyongo
Finance and Administration Officer
IT
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Happy Matekenya
IT Technician
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Fanuel Nyirenda
IT Technician
Projects & Programs
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Yewo Msiska
Project Manager (BEFIT Program - Cohort 1)
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Waluza Munthali
Project Manager (BEFIT Program - Cohort 2)
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Aaron Manda
District Project Supervisor (Mzimba North)
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Noel Mtingwi
District Project Supervisor (Mzimba South)
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Ileke Gondwe
District Project Supervisor (Mzuzu City)
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Amos Chauma
District Project Supervisor (Karonga)
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Hippo Honde
Project Officer
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Nicholas Luhanga
Project Officer
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Oscar Kaunda
School Meals Officer
In-Field School Performance Officers
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Benjamin Banda
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Ezinala Banda
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Timothy Chima
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Waliko Gondwe
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Mphatso Kalambo
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Blessings Kapunda
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George Kayange
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Heatherwick Manda
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Overtoun Mazunda
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Aidah Mbeye
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Vitumbiko Mkandawire
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Emmanuel Moyo
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Pauline Mphande
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Grivin Mpoha
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Clement Mumba
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Gomezgani Ng'ambi
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Happiness Phiri
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Edson Sinjirani
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Prince Soko
Support Team
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Barnett Kumwenda
Programs Support Assistant
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Bertha Nzima
Facilities Officer
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Chindikani Sibande
Programs Support Assistant
Our Partners
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Accountability International supported Ulalo’s efforts to strengthen health ecosystems in Malawi through the implementation of the African Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Scorecard Project, with funding from Hivos.
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American Foundation for Children with AIDS supports Ulalo’s work in strengthening health ecosystems and education by providing and shipping refurbished medical equipment, essential medical supplies, school kits, and learning materials to communities in Malawi.
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APC (Association for Progressive Communications) supported Ulalo’s educational technology initiatives and policy advocacy efforts by promoting alternative, low-cost connectivity solutions and advancing the development of community networks in Malawi.
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Bjorgaas Foundation supports multiple scholarship programs and provides contributions towards the bike rental program. The foundation helps increase access to education for students in Malawi and enhances mobility for those in rural areas, empowering youth to achieve their full potential.
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Brot für die welt co-financed the Catalyzing Better Policy, Regulating, and Financing Framework for Community Networks in Malawi project through the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), supporting Ulalo’s advocacy for inclusive and community-led connectivity solutions.
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Chancen durch Bildung – along with funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for projects including the Malokotera Project, CANARASI and the School Meals Program, this collaboration promotes sustainable agriculture, enhances community development, and improves educational outcomes for children.
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Globalance finances bicycle initiative and jointly implements the bike rental program, which provides bicycles to students who walk long distances to school. This partnership helps improve school attendance, reduce fatigue, and enhance learning outcomes in rural communities.
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Groundbreaker supports the Connected Education Program, contributing to the construction and setup of computer labs in secondary schools. Their support also includes teacher training, enabling ICT-facilitated learning for enhanced educational outcomes.
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Hivos People Unlimited provided funding for the implementation of the African Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Scorecard Project in Malawi, in collaboration with Accountability International, contributing to a strengthened health ecosystem for youth.
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ICTAM ICT Association of Malawi co-implemented the Catalyzing Better Policy, Regulating, and Financing Framework for Community Networks in Malawi project and jointly hosted the Inception Workshop on Community Networks as a low-cost alternative connectivity model.
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Imagine partners with Ulalo to improve literacy and numeracy as part of the Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program. The implementation of tablet-based learning solutions in early grade classrooms, helps ensure that children in Malawi have equitable access to quality, personalized education.
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Internet Society partners with Ulalo to promote digital inclusion and expand connectivity in underserved regions of Malawi. Through collaborative efforts, they support the development of community networks and advocate for policies that ensure equitable access to the internet, fostering educational and economic opportunities for all.
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Kinder not hilf collaborates with Ulalo in the implementation of the Self-Help Group approach, supporting initiatives empowering vulnerable children and youth through integrated health, education, and community development programs strengthening Ulalo's efforts to provide sustainable solutions.
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Mzuzu University co-implemented the Catalyzing Better Policy, Regulating, and Financing Framework for Community Networks in Malawi project, supports the Khwima University Scholarship and hosts student placements from the Faculty of Science, Technology and Innovation.
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Government of Malawi is a strategic partner in Ulalo’s work, collaborating across multiple ministries including Education, Health, Gender, and Local Government. Through formal agreements and joint implementation structures, the government supports Ulalo’s efforts this partnership ensures alignment with national priorities and enhances the sustainability and scalability of Ulalo’s impact across Malawi.
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Segal Family Foundation – As an African Visionary Fellow, Ulalo has benefited from Segal’s trust-based philanthropy model, enabling innovation, leadership development, and the expansion of programs that improve education, health, and youth empowerment across Malawi. Additionally, the Social Impact Incubator Malawi, run by Segal Family Foundation, plays a critical role in enhancing Ulalo’s organizational capacity and leadership development.
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team4tech partners with Ulalo to enhance educational outcomes through technology by providing capacity-building support, technical expertise, and digital learning resources that empower teachers and students in underserved communities across Malawi.
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WACC supported Ulalo through funding and strategic partnership in the Catalyzing Better Policy, Regulating, and Financing Framework for Community Networks in Malawi project, advancing digital inclusion and community-driven connectivity models across underserved areas.
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World Bicycle Relief supports Ulalo’s efforts to improve access to education and essential services by providing durable Buffalo Bicycles. These bicycles are primarily used by students who walk long distances to school, helping reduce absenteeism and improve educational outcomes in rural communities.
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WUSC-EUMC – the Volunteer Cooperation Programme, provides access to committed, skilled volunteers who support organizational development. This collaboration has helped strengthen Ulalo’s capacity and foster sustainable growth through the expertise of these dedicated volunteers.
