Annual General Meeting 2025

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Agenda

1. Attendee introductions�
2. Our aims

Our team

• Guest speaker including short Q&A�Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, PhD�Principal Secretary (Basic and Secondary Education), �Malawi Ministry of Education�
• Project reports�Classroom construction project�Memory Pondeponde�Project Co-ordinator, Umodzi Youth Organisation�

Technology project�Promise Msampha�Program Manager, Umunthu Plus

Desks project�Masida Hastings Ziba�Director, Stimulus for Transformative Development (STRADE)

5. Marketing report

Social media report

6. Fundraising report

7. Finance report

8. General Q&A �(if time allows)

Our aims

• Primary and secondary school projects in Malawi
• Complementing the Malawi government’s provisions
• Two pillars:
• Supporting girls education
• Improving results
• Working with Malawian partner organisations to implement projects in Malawi

Our team

Alastair Corbett

Co-Chair

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Steve McInerny

Co-Chair

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Olufolakemi Banjo

Secretary

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Elizabeth Rose

Treasurer

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Andrew Baker

Trustee - Fundraising

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Natalie Mendez

Trustee - Fundraising

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Saniya Patel

Trustee - Social Media

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Vacant

Trustee - Marketing

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Vacant

Trustee - Content & Comms

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Volunteers

Including: Precious, Lloyd, Natasha, Bruce, Chloe, Yasmine and Phoebe

Kate Hauxwell

Trustee - Malawi Partnerships

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Guest speaker

Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, PhD

Principal Secretary (Basic and Secondary Education)

Malawi Ministry of Education

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Projects Report

UYO classrooms project

Kate Hauxwell, Trustee, Think Malawi�Memory Pondeponde, Project Co-ordinator, Umodzi Youth Organisation

Problem

School: Mthawira Primary School

Location: Traditional Authority Chigaru, Blantyre district

The problem:

Mthawira school has very few classrooms whereby some learners study under trees. Of the 1413 children at Mthawira Primary School, just 922 children have indoor learning classrooms, and the remaining children are taught under trees or basic, non-weather proofed shelters.

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Solution

The solution: build 2 classrooms so that 120 learners are able to study inside, and provide desks for these classrooms

Project budget: £15,124

Deliverables:

2 brick built classrooms each equipped with 30 double desks, reporting on change in attendance and achievement

Impact

The expected impact on completion of classrooms:

Reduced school absenteeism and dropouts during the rainy seasons - Improved school performance among learners at Mthawira Primary School

Learnings for us:�Benefit to a large number of students every year.

Umunthu Plus technology project

Kate Hauxwell, Trustee, Think Malawi�Promise Msampha, Program Manager, Umunthu Plus

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Problem

School(s): Nkhotakota Secondary School, Lozi Community School, Linga Community School

Location(s): 3 schools in Nkhotakota district in the Central Region of Malawi.

The problem:

Over 30% of students in Malawi currently lack access to the internet, particularly in remote areas.

District Education Network and District Executive Committee registered increased number of students dropping out from computer studies and having little access to ICT services in their respective schools, particularly girls

Solution

Project budget: £3,000

Deliverables:

• Internet access at all 3 schools
• Upskilling teachers’ ICT skills
• Coaching and mentorship for girl learners
• Implement radio accessible ICT familiarisation across communities
• Zoom ICT competition between schools to raise motivation

Impact

Teachers from Lozi, Linga, and Nkhotakota secondary schools have praised Umunthu Plus for implementing the ICT Project in Nkhotakota district.

The initiative has sparked more girls' interest in computer lessons, helping students acquire vital digital skills.

Learnings for us:

Our partnership with Malawian NGOs can maximise the benefits of small funding donations because of their in depth knowledge of the needs of their communities.

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Building desks for Chibanja Primary School

Steve McInerny, Co-Chair, Think Malawi�Masida Hastings Ziba, Director, Stimulus for Transformative Development (STRADE)

Problem

School: Chibanja Primary School

Location: Mzimba District

The problem: a shortage of desks was causing discomfort, absenteeism, and poor academic performances at Chibanja Primary School.

Solution

Project budget: £3,000

Deliverables:

• Desks for 154 learners constructed by local craftspeople

Impact

• Reduced desk-to-student ratio from �1:25 to 1:7.
• Helped with gender equality by enabling girls to attend classes during their menstrual periods.
• Reduction in absenteeism rates among students in standards 7 and 8, decreasing from 52.5% to 26%, and 50% to 18% respectively.
• The school expected an increase in its Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination pass rate of over 70% and a selection rate to secondary school exceeding 25%.

Looking forward

Small grant scheme

• Over 70 applications received from organisations which we haven’t worked with before for our small grants scheme
• One project has been selected for funding from our reserves
• We have at least 7 other projects which we would like to support if funding becomes available
• Further priorities to be determined in our forthcoming strategy day

Marketing & communications

Marketing

Screenshots of Mailchimp emails

Crowdfunding video

Google and Microsoft ads

Social media

Instagram

• 27 posts in the last year

Past 90 days:

• 796 views
• 40 interactions

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LinkedIn

5,930 Impressions

183 Reactions

20 Reposts

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Facebook Live Event

Facebook

Plans for 2025

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1. Consistent Social Media Engagement
• Develop a regular social media calendar to ensure consistent and strategic posting.
• Aim for 2-3 posts per week, focusing on impactful content that aligns with our mission.
2. Increased Collaborations and Partnerships
• Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with other organizations that share similar goals.
• Build partnerships to expand our audience reach, enhance credibility, and create more opportunities for joint campaigns.
3. Exploration of New Platforms
• Expand into TikTok and Instagram Reels to tap into younger audiences and leverage the power of short-form video content.
• Create engaging, educational, and entertaining content tailored to these platforms to build awareness.

Stay in touch

Get involved

Newsletter�http://eepurl.com/gbvyBT

Think Malawi UK

www.thinkmalawi.org

Think Malawi

Think Malawi

Think Malawi

info@thinkmalawi.org

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Donate

Volunteering and partnerships

Fundraising Report

2024 Recap

• Total Raised in 2024: £23, 519.89
• Donations: £18,519.89
• Grants: £5,000 LFT Charitable Trust

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• Represents an increase on 2023 (where we raised approximately £21,000) and was our highest level of income since 2016.

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• Series of effective fundraising initiatives in 2024, including:
• Iron Man Barcelona and Maclands (Camellia PLC)
• Trustee half marathon
• Building Classrooms, Building Futures - Crowdfunder

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• Building Partnerships: Charterhouse School, Camellia PLC.

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Looking Forwards: ongoing activities

• School partnerships

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• Individual donations

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• Regular donations

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• Corporate sponsorship

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Finance Report

Summary of 2023 financial report

• Raised over £20,000 during the year - huge leap from 2022, well done fundraising!
• 94% of expenditure went directly to project funding, an increase from last year
• Able to fund five projects that provided dignity packs after Cyclone Freddy, technology infrastructure, desks and classroom building

For presentational context to talk through

Provisional summary of 2024 finances

As at 26th January 2025

• Increased our cash position from last year
• Have strong liquidity to provide funding in 2025

• Raised nearly £24,000 during the year
• 98% of expenditure went directly to project funding
• Able to fund sizeable classroom & tech projects

Q&A

Zikomo kwambili (thank you very much!)

Think Malawi UK

www.thinkmalawi.org

Think Malawi

Think Malawi

Think Malawi

info@thinkmalawi.org

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