Celebrating 20 Years of Umunthu: Building the Next Generation of Hope
Join us in celebrating 20 years of transforming lives through comprehensive HIV services, youth empowerment, and human rights advocacy. Help us sustain and expand our life-saving work for the next generation in Blantyre District and beyond.
Twenty Years of Umunthu: I Am Because You Are
In October 2006, a small group of passionate social work activists had a vision: to break down barriers to HIV healthcare and restore dignity to people living with HIV in Blantyre. What started with a single fundraising walk that raised MWK 35,000 has grown into a comprehensive organization serving thousands.
Our Journey: 2006 - 2026
🌱 The Beginning (2006-2008)
- 2006: Umunthu Foundation legally registered as an NGO
- 2007: First VCT clinic established in Bangwe
- 2008: Partnership with Avert UK begins
🏗️ Building Infrastructure (2009-2013)
- 2010: First major grant (£10,000) from Avert UK
- 2012: Main clinic facility constructed with University of Glasgow support
- 2012-2013: Expansion to Bangwe and Limbe Health Centres
🎯 Expanding Impact (2014-2018)
- 2014: ARASA prison project reaches 60+ inmates with HIV services
- 2015: Tackle Africa partnership begins - football meets health education
- 2017: ART clinic constructed and donated to Limbe Health Centre
- 2018: UNAIDS project in Mulanje District
💪 Strengthening Systems (2019-2024)
- 2019-2020: ViiV Healthcare PMTCT/EID program
- 2020-2022: Maintained uninterrupted services through COVID-19 pandemic
- 2023-2024: Over 1,500 registered ART clients receiving ongoing care
🚀 Looking Forward (2025-2026)
- 2025: Expanded youth programs reaching 1,000+ adolescents
- 2026: Celebrating 20 years with renewed commitment to health equity
Our Impact Over 20 Years
People living with HIV receiving free treatment, counseling, and ongoing support
Operating clinics providing comprehensive HIV services across Blantyre
Adolescents reached through SRHR education and life skills programs
All HIV testing, treatment, counseling, and support provided at no cost
Marginalized populations reached with HIV testing and ART initiation
Maintained uninterrupted care even through COVID-19 pandemic
Why Your Support Matters Now
As we celebrate 20 years, we face new challenges:
- Sustainability: Ensuring long-term financial stability beyond donor cycles
- Growing Demand: More people seeking our free services as stigma decreases
- Youth Education: Reaching the next generation before HIV transmission occurs
- Infrastructure: Maintaining and upgrading aging facilities and equipment
- Staff Retention: Keeping experienced healthcare workers and counselors
- Community Outreach: Expanding to underserved villages and districts
Campaign Goals: Building for the Next 20 Years
🏥 Healthcare Infrastructure (MWK 15,000,000)
- Upgrade main clinic medical equipment
- Solar power system for uninterrupted services
- Laboratory equipment for CD4 monitoring
- Patient waiting area improvements
👨⚕️ Staff Development & Retention (MWK 10,000,000)
- Competitive salaries for healthcare workers
- Continuous professional development training
- Mental health support for counselors
- Performance incentives and recognition
🚐 Mobile Outreach Expansion (MWK 8,000,000)
- Vehicle for mobile testing outreach
- Test kits and supplies for community testing
- Fuel and maintenance for regular outreach
- Training for mobile outreach teams
🎓 Youth Program Expansion (MWK 5,000,000)
- Expand Anti-AIDS Clubs to 10 new schools
- Youth Open Days in 5 additional communities
- Football coaching equipment and training
- Educational materials and resources
📚 Resource Centre Enhancement (MWK 3,000,000)
- 50 new computers for learning center
- High-speed internet connectivity
- Digital library and e-learning platform
- Skills training programs (IT, entrepreneurship)
💰 Sustainability Fund (MWK 9,000,000)
- Emergency reserve for service continuity
- Buffer for grant transition periods
- Income-generating activities seed fund
- Long-term organizational sustainability
How You Can Celebrate With Us
For Individuals:
- Make a one-time anniversary gift
- Become a monthly "Legacy Donor" (20 donors for 20 years)
- Sponsor a specific initiative (mobile outreach, youth club, equipment)
- Organize a fundraising event in your community
- Share our story on social media with #Umunthu20Years
For Organizations:
- Corporate sponsorship packages available
- Matching gift programs
- Employee fundraising campaigns
- In-kind donations (equipment, supplies, professional services)
- Long-term partnership opportunities
For Alumni & Former Volunteers:
- Reunite with the Umunthu family at anniversary celebration
- Share your story of impact
- Mentor current staff and volunteers
- Continue your support from abroad
Anniversary Celebration Events
Join us for our 20th Anniversary Celebration Week in October 2026:
- Monday: Launch event with government officials and partners
- Tuesday: Community health fair with free HIV testing
- Wednesday: Youth football tournament and SRHR education day
- Thursday: Donor appreciation dinner
- Friday: Success stories showcase - hear from beneficiaries
- Saturday: 20km charity walk/run (recreating our first fundraiser!)
- Sunday: Thanksgiving service and community celebration
Our Commitment to You
Every donation to this campaign will:
- ✅ Be used transparently with full financial reporting
- ✅ Directly support program delivery and sustainability
- ✅ Be acknowledged with donor recognition (if desired)
- ✅ Receive impact updates throughout the year
- ✅ Contribute to audited financial statements
The Next Generation of Hope
Twenty years ago, we believed that Umunthu - "I am because you are" - could transform healthcare for people living with HIV. Today, we know it works. But our work is far from finished.
HIV continues to affect our communities. Young people still need education to protect themselves. Stigma still prevents some from seeking care. And sustainability remains our biggest challenge.
Your support of our 20th Anniversary Campaign ensures that 20 years from now, Umunthu Foundation will still be here - still providing free services, still empowering youth, still defending human rights, still embodying the spirit of Umunthu.
Because you are, we are. Because we stand together, we transform lives.
Join us in celebrating 20 years and building 20 more!
Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. Together, we can ensure another generation of hope, healing, and dignity for people living with HIV in Malawi.
Zikomo kwambiri (Thank you very much) for your support!
— David Odal, Founder & Executive Director
Umunthu Foundation