In 2024 30 youths graduated in Mbedza’s Youth Leadership Award Scheme. As we launch the second round of this educational programme our Hope Ambassadors are receiving training in theatre for development, entrepreneurship training and leadership.

They are already at work in the communities coordinating hand in hand with Mbedza’s HIV team to bring life saving messages.

We recently launched the Girls Nest Club as part of our Orphan Education Programme. The event brought together all female students in Forms 2, 3 and 4. This initiative is designed to inspire confidence, nurture talents, and build resilience among young girls, equipping them with the skills and support they need to thrive.

The latest nationally available data on HIV rates is encouraging - Malawi is winning, that said, we are not complacent. We are strategically placed to offer HIV testing and counselling in a part of the country that has some of the highest HIV prevalence rates. We continue to reach out into the communities.

We cannot help being alarmed by the uncertainties caused by the news we are hearing about USAID programmes. The US initiatives 20 years ago to provide support for those who are HIV positive have saved millions of lives. This individual story reminds today that the fight against HIV hasn’t finished and Anti Retro Viral Drugs are crucial.

Mbedza is aiming for a HIV free generation through mobile outreach, taking HIV testing and counselling into the communities. Our counsellors Fyson and Bainatu were at Jali recently on a busy market day.

Perfect weather, engaging activities, and esteemed guests made our Garden Party an unforgettable event.

We’re ready to take our sanitary kits to even more young women.

In the midst of a cyclone crisis in Malawi, HIV counselor Bainatu found a way to continue her important work.

Our partnership with Manor Academy has enabled us to provide essential services to the local community in Malawi and we're thrilled to have a group of their students joining us on an upcoming trip to see our work in action and explore the country.

“During the holiday it was very hard for me to access books which made it very challenging.”

There was joyous dancing as our Hope Ambassadors made Mbedza proud at an end of year sports tournament organised by The Sparkle Foundation

As the year is coming to an end, our Hope Ambassadors were thrilled to take part in an end of year event.

Whilst the prevalence of HIV in Malawi is falling it still has one of the the highest in the world, with 8.1% of the adult population (aged 15-49) living with HIV.

“After a lovely evening I welcomed a good nights sleep and consequently, learnt my first lesson in Malawian culture.”

Raising the funds amongst themselves, our youth group set out to provide basic necessities to the elderly families surrounding our Songani Hope and Wellness Centre.

Every week our counselors, Bainatu and Fyson, visit communities as far away as 50km from our Songani center, allowing community members to access HIV testing and counseling services within their villages.

This was an exciting opportunity for the youth who were given time with the faciliator to address their fears and expectations regarding sex and relationships.

They performed music, drama and dance at the event which aimed at disseminating messages of HIV prevention and the promotion of ART (antiretroviral therapy) medication uptake by those people who are HIV positive.

“When a girl who was being abused by her parents approached me, I was keen to help, I confronted them with kindness and love and in the end the girl reported some positive changes [at home].”

Our HIV Testing Centre is so much more than it seems…