> Who are you trying to help? What issue are you trying to address?

We work with children who have been orphaned by HIV/Aids or any other cause. Children from poor backgrounds especially girls, as it is difficult for most of girls in Africa to acquire education. This is because many times they are married off at a very young age while others have their education disrupted by becoming young carers, taking on the responsibilities of looking after younger siblings.
UMODZI aims to fight for the orphaned child, as well as the girl child, get an education as a means of securing their future.

Bridget Jangiya is aged 22 years and comes from Machinga district in the southern region of Malawi.

She has been supported for 4 years throughout her secondary school education, and also 1st and 2nd year of her Further Higher Education.
However due to change of financial circumstances to the previous sponsor, they were not able to continue to support Bridget to complete her final year.

Bridget now has a new sponsor, Ceri Thompson, who quickly stepped in and is paying for Bridget to complete her final year at college.

Bridget is studying to become a nurse at Holy Family College Nursing, PO Box 512224, Limbe, Malawi.

What is your project and how will it help?

Our project seeks to provide sponsorships to Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC). We do this by seeking sponsors and well wishers to fund the education of these children. The sponsorship program provides tuition fees, health in the event the sponsored child is sick, food and school uniforms, stationary and sanitary pads for the girls.
By the program covering all the above and sometimes even more areas of needs for the sponsored child, the child is assured of their education.

UMODZI is made up of three volunteers; Lunda David, Tamya Kerr and Judith Golooba.
UMODZI (formerly Malawi Hunger Relief) was founded in London 2002 with eight members at the time. It was formed in response to the famine that hit Sub-Saharan Africa, Malawi being the worst hit country within the region.

As a short term goal the idea was to send relief to help feed those dying from lack of food.
UMODZI was then formed as a long-term goal to educate orphaned Malawian girls to help avoid previous disasters reoccurring again. With time we have also taken on boys. All together we have 15 students. But there are many more on the waiting list seeking similar assistance.

Evance Mvona is also aged 22 years.

He too has been supported for 4 years throughout his secondary school education, and also through his 1st and 2nd year of Further Higher Education.
However due to change of financial circumstances to the previous sponsor, they were not able to continue to support Evance to complete his final year.

Like Bridget, Evance also has a new sponsor, Evelyn Sweerts. With Evelyn assistting, Evance will now complete his final year at college.

Evance is also studying to become a nurse at Holy Family College Nursing, PO Box 512224, Limbe, Malaw

How can other people partner with you on this project?

Partnerships can be in many ways. This includes raising money for the program, spreading the word about the program, working in Malawi as a VSO (voluntary service overseas) teaching in a local school, donating laptops/ PC's to be used by the students and many other things that can benefit these children and the communities that they live in.

The following students have recently completed their secondary school and are waiting to start college in April 2018.
From left to right:
Eluby Silaji DOB- 5 November 1996, Chisomo Misomali DOB- 22 June 1996, Allan Manyamba DOB- 6 July 1996 and Trasizio Symon DOB- 6 September 1996


Andrew Bunnet born in 1994

Other students that have also been sponsored by UMODZI:
Susan Nyirenda, Dorothy Tandwe, Omega Kamwendo, Eliza James, Collen Mtunga.

To become a sponsor you will require the following:
To sponsor a child you will need to be committed to the child from secondary school until they complete higher education or university.

For secondary school, on average for a year, this is what it amounts to per child;
School Fees: MK37,500 (€50),
Uniforms MK40, 000 (€53), - shorts & t-shirt for boys - dress & t-shirt for girls
School Jersey MK30,000 (€40),
Socks MK10500 (€14)
Shoes MK50,000 (€;67),
Textbooks MK95, 000 (€127),
Transport & pocket money MK180, 000 (€240),
School bag MK25000 (€33),
Maths Instrument MK0, 500 (€14),
Exercise books MK30,000(€40),
Pens/Pencils/Rubbers MK7,500, (€10)
Total 516, 000 (€688)

For college/further education, on average for a year, this is what it amounts to per child;
School Fees MK900,000 (€1200)
Laptop MK320,000 (€427)
Pocket Money MK100,000 (€133)
Shoes MK56, 000 (€75)
Stationary MK150,MK000 (€200)
Transport 35, 000 (€47)
School Bag MK300000 (€40)
Total MK1, 591,000 (€2, 122)

These are some the current students we sponsor. Click to enlarge

If you think you can become a sponsor and would like more information please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss further.

Many thanks for your continued support.