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A Boost for Our Mission: How EU Equipment Will Fuel Hope in Malawi
For nearly two decades, There Is Hope (TIH) has been transforming lives in Dzaleka Refugee Camp and surrounding communities through empowering refugees and Malawians with education, vocational skills, and opportunities for self-reliance. Our impact runs deep in the communities we serve, creating stories of resilience, restored dignity, and hope that resonate far beyond Malawi’s borders.
In recognition of this ongoing work, on 14th October, 2025, TIH received a significant donation of assorted equipment from the European Union (EU), following the conclusion of the EU Election Observation Mission (EUOM) in Malawi. The total donation, valued at €287,000 (approximately MWK 600 million), was shared among eight local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including TIH, to strengthen our operational capacity and enhance our impact across the country.
The items, that include laptops, smartphones, printers, IT equipment, furniture, and medical equipment were all sourced locally for the EUOM, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to sustainable procurement and local economic development.
EU Ambassador to Malawi, Daniel Aristi-Gaztelumendi, described the handover as a symbol of the EU’s continued partnership with Malawi in advancing human rights, social justice, education, and inclusivity, in line with Malawi Vision 2063.
For TIH, the donation comes at a crucial time as the organization continues to scale its work in empowering vulnerable communities through education, training, and entrepreneurship support.
“This donation directly supports our mission to equip people with the tools and opportunities they need to build sustainable livelihoods,” said Cathreen Ndege-Chirwa, TIH Executive Director. “The IT equipment, electronics, and furniture will enhance our efficiency, improve communication and data management, and ultimately help us serve more people with excellence and dignity.”
How This Donation Fuels Our Mission and Vision
The Executive Director highlighted the direct impact the donation will have on the organization’s programs and beneficiaries:
- Enhancing Education & Livelihoods: The laptops and IT equipment will be instrumental in our educational and vocational training programs. They will enable digital literacy classes, provide beneficiaries with critical 21st-century skills, and support our efforts in creating sustainable livelihoods, moving individuals from dependency towards self-reliance.
- Strengthening Community Support: The smartphones will facilitate better communication and outreach, allowing our team to coordinate more effectively with the people we serve, including refugees in Dzaleka Camp and vulnerable Malawians. This is crucial for our monitoring and evaluation services, community mobilization, and monitoring the well-being of those in our programs.
- Boosting Operational Efficiency: The printers and office furniture will create a more functional and professional work environment for our dedicated staff. This directly translates to improved record-keeping, more efficient program management, and enhanced service delivery, ensuring that every resource is used to its maximum potential for the benefit of our communities.
Other beneficiaries of the EU donation include the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA), Media Council of Malawi, Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO), Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM), Malawi Children’s Village, Emerge Livelihoods, and Pulse Malawi.
As we forge ahead with vigor to work toward a Malawi where refugees and host communities can thrive together, this partnership
with the EU stands as a beacon to the power of collaboration in driving lasting social impact, locally inspired, yet globally significant.
