Newsletter 4/2025
Dear friends of Patimalawi
We're excited to share with you a spring update on the latest happenings at Patimalawi. We have an exciting season ahead of us with great events and interesting news.
We wish you a great time over the upcoming holidays and enjoy reading the newsletter!
Warm wishes
Your Patimalawi Board
Birgit, Milena, Matthias, Simone, Hansruedi
Afro Pfingsten
Just before the event, we’d like to remind you that Patimalawi will be present with a booth at AfroPfingsten in Winterthur.
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At our booth, you can learn more about our NGO and its projects. You’ll also have the chance to take part in our quiz game and win great prizes from our generous sponsors. We’ll also be selling unique products from Malawi — with all proceeds going directly to support our projects.
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We would also like to warmly thank all the volunteers. It’s only thanks to your efforts that our presence at AfroPfingsten is possible.
Friday, June 6, 2025
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Directly next to the town church
We would like to thank our generous sponsors, thanks to whose support the event and the quiz game could be realized!
Benefiz-Festival at
As previously announced, this year’s annual club celebration will be something truly special: Together with the Gfellergut Social Education Center, we’re organizing a large benefit festival – featuring live bands, culinary highlights, and much more. All the details are now confirmed, and we’re excited to warmly invite you!
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06 September 2025
15:00 to 22:00
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Social Education Center Gfellergut
Stettbachstrasse 300
8051 Zurich
Intervies with Business Starters
The Pamodzi Tingathe business starter kits are part of a sustainable solution for independent livelihoods. They are provided to participants of the Life Skills Program as well as survivors of child marriages. With these starter kits, recipients receive enough financial support to start their own small business. A business plan is developed together with them, tailored to their skills and local market conditions, and the business development process is closely supported. This way, people gain not only knowledge but also the practical foundation to shape their lives with autonomy.
YCD has conducted three interviews with successful business starters, which we are excited to share with you:
F. Mavuto
My name is F. Mavuto and I am 18 years old. I am an orphan and I live with my grandmother.
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How was your life before you went to Chikwawa Prison?
My grandmother and I have been living a very poor life. My grandmother did not have enough resources to support me and herself. Sometimes I used to steal things at Nchalo market in order for me and my grandmother to survive.
What changes has the Patimalawi project brought?
After I received Life Skills for Behaviour Change by YCD, my life changed completely. After I was released from the prison, YCD gave me business starter pack. With this money, I have started learning welding. I am very happy that the welding skills will help me live a good life.
I am looking forward to have my own welding equipment.
F. Kampira
My name is F. Kampira and I am 22 years old. I am a single mother with a child.
How was your situation before you received the Business Starter Package?
I have been living a very hard life as I am taking care of my child alone. Life had been very tough.
What changes has the Patimalawi project brought?
Now, YCD has given me a business starter pack. I am able to feed for my child and for myself. The money YCD gave me has changed my life greatly. I now own my own hardware shop in Nchalo Market where I sell different hardware.
I now have a good dream about my future. Thanks to PATIMALAWI for this support.
J. Banda
My name is J. Banda and I am 20 years old.
How was your life before you went to Chikwawa Prison?
I was living a very unhappy life before I was arrested because we did not have enough resources to support myself and my family.
What changes has the Patimalawi project brought?
After I received Life Skills for Behaviour Change, my life psychologically changed. More to it, when I received business starter package.
Now, I am an owner of a barbershop at Nchalo. Through this barbershop, I am able to support myself and my family.
First Harvest in Matsukambiya Village
The first harvest from our permaculture in Matsukambiya Village was a complete success: nearly 12,250 kilograms of maize were collected – a vital food source for the village community.
The next harvest is planned for August and will include a much greater variety of crops. Already, 500 banana plants have been planted, and in the coming weeks sweet potatoes, beans, pumpkins, and cabbage will follow.
Donations
Swiss Konto:
Account holder: Pamodzi Tingathe
Adress: Dättnauerstr. 99, 8406 Winterthur
Zürcher Kantonalbank
IBAN.: CH91 0070 0114 8029 7414 9
BIC: ZKBKCHZZ80A
Deutsches Konto:
Account holder: Birgit Zurbrügg, Spende für Malawi
Adress: Dättnauerstr. 99, 8406 Winterthur
Kreissparkasse Tuttlingen
Kontonr.: 21661507
IBAN: DE15 6435 0070 0021 6615 07
