OurStory

Project Malawi was co-founded in 2016 by Jared Alswanf and Eric Malamud, pre-med students at the University of Southern California and the University of Wisconsin Madison. During the summer, the two students were working on a HIV/AIDS research project in Mzuzu, Malawi through Luke International, a Norwegian nonprofit. 

While spending much of his time in hospitals, Jared was continually astonished and dismayed by the calamitous conditions of the health facilities in Northern Malawi: overflowing with patients, minimal or expired drugs, Ziplock colostomy bags, and a single ventilator for 1.9 million Malawians.

After witnessing so many heartbreaking facilities, Jared realized this was a systematic problem in dire need of attention. Therefore, Jared worked closely with local health officials and medical professionals to create a comprehensive needs assessment for hospitals within the region and created Project Malawi to help support his mission. 

Since then Project Malawi has been involved in many projects aimed towards promoting equity, health, and development in under-resourced sectors of Malawi.

In 2017, Project Malawi partnered with Project C.U.R.E. to initiate a project to open the first two Medical High Dependency Units in Northern Malawi at Mzuzu Central Hospital and Chitipa District Hospital and a minor operating theatre in Nthalire. Project Malawi also participated in the Project C.U.R.E. Cargo Program, sending medical supplies to under-resourced hospitals, clinics and community health centers in developing countries. Additionally, Project Malawi has partnered with Malawi Children’s Village to start the Sanitary Pad Program.

Currently, with the help of Lusayo Mwakatika, a King Mordridge Scholar studying agricultural business student at the University of Wisconsin Madison, Project Malawi is joining forces with Associated Center for Agro-based Development (ACADES). Their mission focuses on changing the mindset of Malawi's youth. Their program aspires to redefine agriculture, promoting it as an attractive and lucrative business for young individuals. Ultimately, this organization aims to promote youth growth and spur economic development for individuals as well as the entire nation.

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Therefore, Project Malawi will be focused on educating members about Malawi, fundraising for ACADES, and eventually starting an internship program with ACADES.