From Promise to Proof

When we launched Chisomo Idea 16 years ago, we did so with little more than a promise and our personal commitment to stand in support of men and women in Malawi who were trying to break out of poverty.

We believed, and still believe, that poverty is a problem that is man-made and thus has man-made solutions, as well. We also believe that everything we have in this life, we have been given by grace (or chisomo, which means grace in Chichewa). By the virtue of chisomo, we must also extend that grace to others, especially the under-resourced and underserved.

So, we made our promise and got to work on understanding exactly what it would take to bring about meaningful change in the lives of the people we made it to.

Over the last 16 years, that work has evolved in beautiful and unexpected ways. Where we were once a provider and a catalyst, we are now a collaborator and participant in the momentum. Where we were once teachers and guides, we are now the ones learning from emerging leaders in the communities we support. Today, you can look at the work Chisomo Idea has done and see:

Trained tailors and bakers starting their own businesses

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Women banking collectively and participating in financially generative ventures

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More than 100 students participating weekly in our street school

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Over 130 locally sponsored scholar-athletes and 6 U.S. college scholarship recipients

Chisomo Idea has matured from just another non-profit organization in Africa into a full on lifestyle of love and grace. It is proof that an unwavering commitment to our initial promise and a surrendering to mutual grace can literally change people’s lives and the lives of their families, friends, and even their communities.

Today, we can say that Chisomo Idea has truly made history. But we have not done it alone. We have done it with the help of selfless volunteers and donors in the US and in Malawi. This year, we’re asking you to help us make a bit more history and change even more lives.

Below are the ways you can come along side Chisomo Idea this holiday season and partner with us in our work in Malawi.

Donation Information & Options

Thank you for considering a donation to Chisomo Idea. There are a variety of ways you can donate and you have the option of making a one-time or monthly donation for a duration of one year. Chisomo Idea is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which means all donations are tax-deductible.

Donating To Initiatives

One of the ways you can support the work of Chisomo Idea is by donating to a specific initiative. We are currently focused on seven key initiatives in Malawi and you can learn more about each by visiting the specific initiative pages below. If you would like to donate to a specific initiative, please visit the page and click on the Donate To This Initiative button at the bottom of the page. On the next page, you can select the specific initiative, a donation amount, and whether you would like to make a one-time donation or a recurring monthly donation for a year.

Vocational Training

Street School

Flourish Symposium

Youth Sports

Malawi’s Got Talent

Women’s Community Bank

Scholarship Program

End of Year Giving

We are currently building a multipurpose facility that will function as our tailoring, carpentry and auto-mechanics studio that will impact hundreds of young people and families. Our total fundraising goal for the multipurpose facility is $20,000 and we have already secured $5,000, so the project is underway. Please join us in raising the next $15,000 to finish the project and make this generational impact.