about us
who are we?
Chitukuko Foundation is a local organization established in 2013 by professionals with diverse experiences in education, health, community development and food and livelihood security. The organization was registered under the trustee incorporation act and the registration number is: TR/INC 5065. The organization believes that education is a catalyst for all development activities and that education enhances human development in all areas of people’s social, economic, political and cultural rights. Our organization apart from focusing of education as the main thematic area, these subsectors of climate change resilience, (disaster risk management, food and livelihoods security, natural resources management), HIV and AIDS, youth empowerment, governance, gender and women rights, water and sanitation, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, are the areas that reinforce our programming. Gender is mainstreamed in all our programs.
background information
Chitukuko Foundation was established with the understanding that illiteracy and ignorance enhances poverty, vulnerability and marginalization of the rights holders especially the women and girls to realize their full potential and redress of injustices being faced. The organization also realizes that to have meaningful development and to have positive impact of the development agenda such as Malawi 2063, this can be achieved if education rights of the poor and marginalized children can be attained and if the mind-set of the people living in poverty are transformed. Our approach to this realization is through participatory processes such as Reflection-Action, Participatory Vulnerability Analysis (PVA), Regenerated Freireian Literacy for Empowering Community Techniques (Reflect), Societies Tackling AIDS through Rights (STAR), and Economic Literacy and Budget Accountability for Governance (ELBAG)
vision
A community without poverty and in which every individual attain the highest level of education that will enable them exercise their right to a life of dignity by realising their social, cultural, political and economic rights that transforms the mind-set.
mission
Chitukuko Foundation exists to contribute towards the progressive realization of right to attainment of the highest possible education and the people’s ability to apply knowledge and skills gained in education in their development and daily life. This is achieved through working with volunteers and in partnership with likeminded civil society organizations, donors and other partners working for the same cause at all levels
our approach
Working directly with like minded organisations and rightsholders,strengthening technical and organisational development ,capacity building to enable plan and implement relevant programmes interventions.Faciliate participatory approaches like Reflect, Participatory Vulnerability Aanalysis and scorcard scor card
Programme planning & implementation
We have a 5-year strategic plan, and we develop annual plans and budgets, quarterly and biannual implementation plans, and monthly activity implementation plan
Monitoring & evaluation - MEAL
We have a programme and financial monitoring framework alongside the strategic plan. We develop annual, quarterly, and monthly monitoring and evaluation plans, conduct baseline surveys to assess progress, and document impacts and lessons to improve planning and activities
Fundraising & resource mobilization
We will continue developing concepts and expressions of interest, fostering partnerships with donors, encouraging monthly staff and volunteer contributions, mapping potential donors, and pursuing a fundraising business to address funding challenges
Governance
We operate within Malawi's constitution, government policies, laws, and international standards. The board holds quarterly reviews to assess the secretariat's work and ensures programs are implemented according to policies and procedures. It also monitors staff and executive director performance, ensuring transparency and accountability in the foundation’s work
board members
Murphy Kajumi
Holds a Master of Arts in Economics and a Master of Policy Studies. With over 20 years of experience in development management, he specializes in designing and managing development policies, programs, and projects. He has worked in Malawi and internationally, providing advisory services to governments, NGOs, and organizations such as the World Bank and UNICEF
Catherine Chaponda
retired secondary school teacher now runs a private nursery and primary school in Salima District. She holds a Diploma in Education and a certificate in Guidance and Counselling from Japan. Passionate about girl’s empowerment, she brings vast experience in youth and family counseling and life skills development
Daina Kisyhombe Ng’oma
Certified Accountant and Finance Specialist with over 15 years of experience in the development sector. Currently working with UNICEF as a Programme Budget Specialist, she excels in grants, financial management, strategic planning, and project evaluation. She holds a Master of Commerce in Development Finance, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, and is a fellow of ACCA and ICAM. Daina has also served on various boards and completed multiple professional training
Agness Kapira Chirambo
Second Grade Magistrate at Salima Magistrate Court with a Bachelor of Laws from Cavendish University (2023) and a Diploma in Law from the University of Malawi (2017). She joined the judiciary in 1994 and became a magistrate in 2009. Agness is a member of several legal associations, including AMA, MAJAM, and WOJAM, and has held key leadership roles
Amosi Tizora
Executive Director of Circle for Integrated Community Development (CICOD). He holds Masters in Business Administration and has over 30 years of work experience in Social Development. He has worked with Action Aid Malawi and GIZ over this period. He has progressive experience in Project Management, Finance Management, Programme Management, and Human Resources Management. He has a passion for development work. At Chitukuko Foundation, he is the Chairperson of Programmes and a member of Administration, Human Resources, and Board & Governance Development
Peter F. Chipokosa
Holds a Diploma in Theology and has specialized training in Children’s Ministry from Petra College in South Africa. He has served as a District Coordinator for Scripture Union Malawi and as a Development Facilitator for World Vision Malawi. Currently, he works with the Higher Education Students Loan and Grants Board
Doreen Jane Msuku
Holds a Diploma in Agriculture and has extensive experience in teaching, clerical work, and gender advocacy. She worked as a Gender Officer in Salima Agricultural Development Division and retired in 2015. Currently, she is involved in pig and dairy farming, consultancy on irrigation farming and nutrition, and serves as the District Chairperson of PUSEPA in Salima. Doreen has also been active in gender activism with ActionAid Malawi
Mr Chikandila
Holds a BA in Guidance and Counselling, a Diploma in Public Health, and additional qualifications in Public Health from Lilongwe School of Health Sciences. With over 30 years of experience working with rural communities, they specialize in participatory development approaches, including REFLECTION Action, Participatory Rural Appraisal, and ELBAG. They also have expertise in monitoring, evaluation, and leadership
our values
Respect for Human Rights
Increasing understanding and appropriate exercise of human rights and God-given freedoms especially among women, girls as well as the most vulnerable and marginalized groups of the community, believe and act with the understanding that people are of equal value irrespective of their circumstances, backgrounds or characteristics
Mutual Respect
Fully value and affirm the dignity of each person in our community. This respect is also the foundation of our relationships with those involved with our work including donors and other stakeholders and believing that the rights holders have the potential to overcome their vulnerabilities at all costs while on the other hand, respecting the laws, social, cultural and traditional values of our country and place of work
Stewardship
Proper and prudent utilization of resources entrusted to the organization for the ultimate benefit of the community at large and promoting that culture that ensures that we remain accountable for our actions, open in our communications and relations, and credible in the decisions that we take
Empowerment
Equipping the community to confidently exercise initiatives and engage in decisions with a sense of informed choice on community matters and maintaining attitudes and behaviors that encourage genuine partnerships and alliances with others fighting for the common good
Independence
Remaining independent in the decisions we make based on our mission, values, and convictions, non-partisan in party-politics and religious affiliation and not being influenced by powerful forces based on their social, economic, and political status and affiliation
Courage of conviction
Believing that we must be bold and resolute in our beliefs, not fearing to take risks, acting without fear of failure, and embracing error as part of learning, gaining and applying knowledge