Highlighting Changemakers - Abraham Manguwo, Malawi




Briefly introduce Yourself
I am Abraham Manguwo the Founder and Executive Director of Foundation for Rural Development (FORUD) an NGO based in Malawi. I have worked directly with donors, communities and key stakeholders and understand the importance of building trusting relationship between people and our organization.

Why did I choose to become a community activist?
To promote participation in development activities, facilitate development agenda and problem solving, raise awareness on issues that negatively impact lives at the grassroots level.

What kind of Community work are you involved in?
I am involved in implementing education activities on Sexual Reproductive Health, Climate Change, Human Rights, Youth Economic Empowerment, Women and Girls empowerment, social support to the elderly, disabled, children and other vulnerable groups, hygiene, food security and nutrition.

What Inspires your work?
The coordination between Community stakeholders and project implementers that brings positive change to people's lives. Volunteerism for development among communities and implementers.


Are there some success stories that you can share from your work?
FORUD has supported a number of development programs in Malawian communities. In Kumtaja, Blantyre district it supported 35,000 people to access safe water supply, trained 7500 Youth in Human Rights, Empowered 14,700 Youths in leadership and Income Generating Activities,  rescued 348 girls from Early Child Marriages who have been re- admitted back to school, trained 415 women in Business management of which 345 have stable businesses. Currently, FORUD is imparting communities with knowledge on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, raising awareness on the importance of social distancing, sanitizing and frequently washing hands.


Any key lessons that you have learnt throughout your community work?
Stakeholder mapping, identification and management are key to smooth project management and delivery. Community ownership helps project sustainability and there is increased commitment of the community after the project phases out. Collaboration and partnership using existing community structures and Government ministries during planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation has yielded more positive results.

What are the main challenges?
Negative perceptions within the broader community. These were solved through community contact and dialogue - mmore community members are now committed to projects. Structural and Resource challenges.

How can other youth interested in being active start in their own communities?
First identify the problems through a community needs assessments, prioritise the problems, identify the target population, identify stakeholders/ key influencers who can help solve the problem, develop and implement a strategic plan, monitor and evaluate the activities, report to stakeholders.



What do you think is the most important SDG and why?
SDG 3- Good Health and Well-being. There is an urgent need to increase coverage and accessibility of essential health care and reproductive programs.

Any final Remarks?
Total quality, sincerity, honesty and deep commitment to overall excellence is the philosophy behind FORUD. The pursuit of excellence is sustained in every thought and action.


Contact details: Mobile and WhatsApp +265998421522; email forud2015@gmail.com

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