Mulanje, Malawi Chapter
June 2026 - Present
Victor V. Phiri is a community leader and youth advocate from Malawi whose passion for service is rooted in his own childhood experiences. Growing up in poverty, he witnessed many of the challenges facing children and families and was inspired by the support he received from others. These experiences motivated him to dedicate his life to empowering vulnerable communities through education, mentorship, and sustainable development.
As Founder of the Project WORTHY Malawi Chapter, Victor is committed to creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and thrive. He believes lasting change begins when communities invest in their youth and equip them with the tools to lead and serve. He hopes to inspire the next generation to overcome challenges and become leaders in their own communities. The project aims to empower youth, girls, and boys in underserved communities, reduce harmful attitudes and practices, and increase social awareness throughout Mulanje District.
Victor Phiri
Chapter President
Vision
A future where every child and family experiencing homelessness has access to the educational resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive.
Mission
To empower children and families experiencing homelessness through literacy, education, mentorship, and community-based programs that promote learning, confidence, and hope.
About Project WORTHY Malawi
Project WORTHY is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families experiencing homelessness. Through reading programs, educational activities, resource drives, and partnerships with local organizations, we work to create meaningful learning opportunities and help underserved youth build brighter futures.
About the District
The rural areas of Mulanje District face significant challenges, including widespread poverty, harmful cultural practices such as early marriage, teenage pregnancy, the impact of HIV/AIDS, and the disempowerment of both girls and boys. Limited access to clean water, education, and adequate nutrition further affects community well-being. Many families rely on agriculture and charcoal production for income, while a large portion of the population lives in poverty.
Mulanje is also a tourism district, but many residents must travel long distances to access basic services. People often walk several kilometers to collect water, and many students travel up to 6 km to reach secondary schools. These long journeys, combined with hunger and lack of resources, contribute to high school dropout rates among both girls and boys. Many households struggle to meet their basic needs, leaving much of the responsibility for children's development to teachers. Traditional beliefs and practices often limit opportunities for girls, reducing their access to quality education and empowerment. As a result, families frequently prioritize cultural expectations over education, causing many girls to leave school early and limiting their ability to participate fully in social, economic, and political development.
Malawi is often called the "Warm Heart of Africa" because of the kindness, resilience, and faith of its people. Yet behind that reputation lies a difficult reality. Many families still struggle to access clean water, quality education, reliable healthcare, and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.
In the rural communities of Mulanje District, these challenges affect children every day. Parents work hard to provide for their families, but limited resources often make it difficult to break the cycle of poverty. Children walk long distances for water, schools operate with few resources, and families remain vulnerable to economic hardship caused by drought, crop failure, and limited employment opportunities.
Despite these challenges, Malawi is also a place of tremendous opportunity. Communities are eager to work, churches are active and engaged, and local leaders are committed to creating a better future for the next generation.
This map shows 16 Degrees, which is the Mulanje district where Projects WORTHY works.