Without doubt, AIDN’s 2025 Insight Tour to Malawi and Zimbabwe challenged, inspired and informed our guests. 🌏
AIDN’s Insight Tours are designed to give engaged funders an in-depth insight into the work of a variety of NGOs working in different sectors, and their operating context, with a particular focus on locally-led organisations.
🌏 On Day 1, the guests were welcomed for dinner by Segal Family Foundation at Latitude 13. Our welcome dinners are critical for setting the local cultural, economic and political context for our Insight Tours. We were thrilled to be joined by Dedo N. Baranshamaje, Q. Malewezi, Willie Mpasuka and Eleanor Nkosi. We were also joined by two representatives from DFAT who provided us with key insights into Australia’s aid and development strategy in the region.
🌏 On Day 2, our site visits kicked off with an incredible visit to Patience Silungwe Khembo at Ladder to Learning. We then traveled to Blantyre where we were pleased to meet with Anthony Kinnaird from World Bicycle Relief.
🌏 On Day 3, we were welcomed to Jacaranda Foundation by Marie da Silva before getting the unique opportunity to learn from Willie Mpasuka at Rays of Hope Malawi
🌏 On Day 4, the group traveled to meet Mercy C. Kafotokoza and see Wandikweza in action. Wandikweza’s inspiring work tied in seamlessly to our afternoon visit to Global Health Informatics Institute – kindly hosted by Timothy Mtonga.
Image: Mercy Kafotokoza with one of Wandikweza’s “Nurses on motorbikes”.
🌏 On Day 5, the guests were welcomed by Hastings Nhlane at ACADES . In the afternoon we were privileged to travel to MATCH Foundation MW where we were hosted by Tadala Kandulu Ngosi. We were also delighted to meet with Prince Kasinja, Promise Matatiyo and Stephen Kumwenda from Development Media International that same evening for dinner.
🌏 Day 6 of our Insight Tour was simply outstanding with a curated Showcase Day at Kumbali Lodge followed by live music and networking drinks at The Farmers Daughter. The day was generously hosted by Segal Family Foundation, Judith Neilson Foundation and The Life You Can Save. There were representatives from over 30 locally-led and impactful Malawian organisations and 15 grant-making organisations.
🌏 On Day 7, the team enjoyed a day for rejuvenation including a hike up Bunda Mountain and live music at Khala Gardens.
🌏 With an early start, on Day 8, the group traveled to Pemba to meet with The Hunger Project and Eureka Benevolent Foundation. It was an inspiring day as the village of Pemba celebrated their resilience and the opening of their new epicentre. Thank you to Philippe Magid, Nicole Lovelock, Rowlands Kaotcha, Jess Perrin and the Pemba community for including us in this special occasion.
🌏 On Day 9, our guests traveled from Malawi to Zimbabwe. That evening marked an important context setting dinner at Amanzi Lodge in Harare where we were joined by a number of prominent guests, including Tendai Murisa (Director at SIVIO Institute).
🌏 On Day 10, our Zimbabwean site visits kicked off with energy and purpose. The group was welcomed to the innovative Uncommon.org by Michelle Gwatiringa, before visiting the inspiring Friendship Bench Zimbabwe hosted by Charmaine Chitiyo.
🌏 On the evening of Day 10, the group was also welcomed to the British Ambassador’s Residence in Harare. This was a unique opportunity to learn about the UK’s aid and development strategy in the region. Partnerships between states, philanthropists and grant-making organisations have never been more important in the context of 2025’s aid cuts.
🌏 On Day 11, the group felt privileged to visit Chiedza, hosted by Spiwe Chakawa, where we witnessed their meaningful work in action.
Image: Tadala Kandulu Ngosi from Match Foundation.
🌏 On Day 11, the group was also thrilled to attend an outstanding Showcase Afternoon at Impact Hub Harare. The afternoon was generously hosted by Segal Family Foundation, Judith Neilson Foundation and The Life You Can Save and brought together over 40 locally-led Zimbabwean development organisations and 15 grant-making organisations.
🌏 On Day 12, the group undertook our final site visit to Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. Welcomed by Ciru (Wanjiru) Ndichu, the team traveled to Mashonaland West to see CHAI’s critical cervical cancer programs on-the-ground.
We sincerely thank the local leaders and representatives of these organisations who generously shared their work, passion, and insights with us.
We also extend our gratitude to Intrepid Travel, AIDN’s key operations partner for Insight Tours. A special thanks to Simon Lewis and Upenyu (Uppi) Mawande for hosting the Insight Tour, alongside support from The AIDN Team – Hannah McNicol, Emily Umbers and Julie Rosenberg.
Finally, thank you to our Insight Tour guests for their energy and enthusiasm to always learn more including: Louise Pfeiffer and Barbara Calixto from The Life You Can Save; Patricia Malila Pinheiro, Nsamwa Mwandila, Beatrice Onyango and Annie Segal from Segal Family Foundation; Johanna Peek, Christey West, Janet McDermid, Evelyn Clark, Paula Esguerra Laserna and Fiona Anne Campbell from Just Peoples; and Anne Pike and John Roberts from the Robert Pike Foundation.
Image: the group at our at site visit to Uncommon.
Feature image: the Malawi Showcase Day at Kumbali Lodge.