Explore our journey at Urunji
Here is a graphical illustration of our journey at Urunji. Thank you for being part of this wonderful journey. We're excited to get you involved. Get started by visiting this page
The beginning
Urunji founded
Ian C Maliseni receives a calling to support orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi. He mobilizes his friends and family.
He starts with sponsoring 3 children and their grandmother
The dream lives on
Urunji is registered
In July 2012, Urunji Child-Care Trust becomes legally registered as an NGO in Malawi. The following year, Urunji registers with the Council for NGOs in Malawi, and the NGO Regulatory Authority
Needs assesment
Community needs-assessment
We conducted a survey to assess the needs of the community. A technical working group was also established with community leaders and volunteers playing a major role
Mwatibu village
First feeding programme starts
We started the first feeding programme at Nathenje at the village headman's house. We then scaled up to offer school feeding programme at Mwatibu Primary School
Spreading our wings
International volunteers begin to arrive
Our work began to become visible and started to attract international volunteers, thanks to partnership with Love Volunteers
International volunteers
Irish volunteers arrive
We continued to receive international volunteers, this time from Ireland. This increased visibility for our work as well as to mobilize critical resources for our programmes
Scottish volunteers
Charlotte from Scotland arrives
We start placing volunteers right within the community, helping them to experience real life without electricity, portable water and a comfortable bed. Many volunteers applaud us for this decision
Team USA
Roxanne and family arrive from the USA
Roxanne and her family arrives from the USA, spend 3 months with the local team then returns to the USA
Fast forward
Urunji today
Fast-forward to 2025, Urunji continues to reach out to over 3,000 children, provides bursaries for 20 girls and has touched over 12,000 lives to date. Check out our programmes to learn more...