On May 11, 2024, CorpsAfrica/Malawi hosted the third edition of CorpsAfrica’s Pitch Day event (formerly known as Project Demo Day) to raise funds for 8 small-scale, high-impact community-led development projects. The event took place at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe and included a live stream on the CorpsAfrica/Malawi Facebook page. Several high-profile guests were hosted, including USAID Mission Director to Malawi Ms. Pamela Fessenden, and the Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Morocco to Malawi His Excellency Abdelkader Naji. The pitches involved a 1-minute introduction from the community leaders and 4-minute pitches from the Volunteers.

The event aimed to raise funds for volunteer-led community projects, increase awareness of CorpsAfrica, educate development partners and the public about our unique approach, and explore potential partnerships and development support.

8 Volunteers pitched their projects, highlighting educational, water, and sanitation needs across the country. Projects pitched included the Construction of Under-5 Clinics in Chikwawa and Ntcheu Districts, the Construction of Waitinga  Shelter in Mzimba, Bridge Construction projects in Neno and Zomba, Water Tap Installation in Chitipa, Water Pump Installation in Dedza, and the Construction of a Nursery School in Kasungu.

Volunteer Prosperina Mpekansambo, stationed in Chitipa, led a project alongside her counterpart, Peter, to install water taps in her community. Previously, the community relied on a single borehole to cater to a population of 1,456 individuals. The introduction of 6 water taps has enabled 75 households, comprising 422 people, to access clean and safe water. This endeavor aims to reduce the time spent at water collection points, thereby enhancing efficiency and the overall quality of life. The project cost is Mk12,306,200 ($7,239.2), with Mk3,976,700 ($2,339.2) already contributed by the community.

Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our attendees and stakeholders, we received pledges totaling Mk9,429,286 in support of community-led projects. We are still accepting contributions, and organizations have indicated the potential for additional funding and support to further these initiatives.

Volunteer Sheira Kasinja and her counterpart Fanny worked with the Neno community to improve access to education, healthcare, and agricultural and economic opportunities through the construction of a timber deck bridge. Particularly during the rainy season, community members encounter difficulties in reaching crucial social services like healthcare, markets, and education. The implementation of this bridge will effectively address these challenges, ensuring uninterrupted access to these essential services. The project is expected to positively impact 720 community members. The community successfully raised Mk1,900,000 ($1,118) towards the total project cost of Mk10,753,500 ($6,326).

We extend our sincerest gratitude to all participants for their dedication to supporting these community-driven projects. Your presence and active engagement have renewed our hope and strengthened our commitment to our mission. Our team is now in one-on-one discussions with potential funders to secure the resources necessary for the successful implementation of these volunteer-led initiatives. The enthusiasm and support from everyone in attendance have truly inspired us, reaffirming our collective ability to uplift and empower communities across Africa.