Every well, clinic visit and school sponsorship you read about from Orant Charities runs through a team in Malawi. Orant Charities Africa (OCA) is staffed entirely by Malawians, and each of its programs is led by a manager who works with the communities it serves.
Supporters often hear about the work but rarely hear from the people doing it. We asked seven of OCA's program leaders to tell us what they do, how long they've been with Orant and what makes the job worth it. Here they are in their own words.
Healthcare
James Blessings Mwambene, Director of Health Services
With Orant since 2022
James oversees Orant's health services in rural Malawi, including the Kasese Health Centre. His focus is access to primary healthcare, stronger health systems, and the social and economic conditions that affect people's health.
"A good day at work is one when I see patients receiving the care they need, mothers and babies benefiting from safer healthcare services, and communities becoming healthier and more resilient," he said. "I am particularly passionate about ensuring that healthcare goes beyond treating illness to addressing the underlying challenges that affect people's well-being."
Linda Phiri, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health Manager
With Orant for 10 years
Linda leads maternal and child health, which covers the care mothers receive before, during and after delivery.
"My happy days are when I see a woman and her baby going home happy after service delivery at our facility," she said. "A happy mother and a happy baby bring joy in me."
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Mayamiko Mwenda, WASH Program Manager
With Orant since September 2020
Mayamiko runs Orant's water, sanitation and hygiene program, which drills boreholes, installs hand pumps and builds solar-powered water systems.
"The most interesting part of my job is the priceless feeling of seeing a community receive their first gift of potable water, either through a handpump borehole or solar-powered water supply system," he said. "This is a life-changing moment for communities, especially the ones who have been used to accessing water from unprotected sources such as the river and unprotected water wells for the rest of their lives."
Education
Mwatipatsa Amanda Kazembe, Education Program Manager
With Orant for 3 years
Mwatipatsa manages Orant's student sponsorships. She monitors and mentors students and makes sure they have the supplies they need for school.
"A good day at work for me looks like collaborating with schools, students and fellow staff to ensure that every child has the support they need to succeed," she said.
Agriculture
Gracious Msimuko, Agriculture Program Manager
With Orant for 9 years, 9 months
Gracious has been with Orant for nearly a decade. He trains farmers in sustainable practices meant to raise their yields.
"It is particularly rewarding to witness farmers transition from subsistence farming to commercial farming by adopting sustainable agricultural practices and improving their productivity," he said. "Seeing farmers become self-reliant, able to provide enough food for their families, pay school fees for their children and improve their overall living standards gives me a strong sense of purpose."
Business Development
Tango Grace Phiri, Business Development Program Manager
With Orant since April 2021
Tango works with women entrepreneurs who are starting and growing their own businesses.
"Watching women entrepreneurs succeed and provide for their families fills me with pride," she said.
Energy and Environment
Lester Mwalwenje, Energy and Environment Program Manager
With Orant since January 2025
Lester is the newest member of this group. He leads Orant's solar energy and fuel-efficient cookstove projects, along with tree planting and climate resilience work with local leaders and communities.
"Whether it is a school continuing to run after sunset, a household gaining access to solar lighting, a community adopting fuel-efficient cookstoves or local communities establishing tree nurseries, every milestone represents progress toward a healthier, more sustainable and climate-resilient future," he said.
"I believe that sustainable development begins with empowering communities to become part of the solutions to the challenges they face."
The People Behind the Work
Together, these seven managers have about 40 years with Orant between them. Their programs cover healthcare, clean water, education, farming, small business and clean energy, and each one is led from Malawi by people who know these communities well.
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