Tendai Katsonga Munemo: The Co-Founder of Maphunziro 265, a scholarship support network for youth in Malawi



Tendai Katsonga Munemo

At the age of 25, Tendai Katsonga Munemo, the co-founder of a youth led organization, Maphunziro 265, holds an MA in Development Studies from University of Sussex UK (2017), a BA in Humanities-majoring in English Literature from University of Malawi (2011) and has worked as Youth led Advocacy Coordinator with Plan International and Youth Livelihoods Coordinator with Save the Children International.

“Start, start and start. If you continue sitting on that dream, it will remain a dream”- Tendai Katsonga Munemo.

The social innovator, Tendai Katsonga Munemo, shares her story on how her organization is impacting the lives of youth and children in Malawi sustainably.

                                                                                                                                                           

What exactly does Maphunziro 265 do?

Maphunziro 265 provides Scholarships. The organization links sponsors and well wishers with means to support needy students to the needy students. The organization approaches the potential sponsors, once a scholarship is set, needy students are identified and supported to apply for the available scholarships. 

 
It is also involved in Mentorship. Firstly for Students; the organization provides ongoing mentorship to students in the form of career guidance sessions, building self esteem, planning for the future, provides information and support on national and international scholarships, provides opportunities for students to visit professionals in their work places to see for themselves how things work if they are interested in that profession. Secondly for Graduates; the organization provides guidance sessions on the job market, applying for jobs, designing and developing winning CVs, attending job interviews, preparing for the work place and starting out in a new job.

Maphunziro 265 is also does numerous consultancies for and with other organizations in the development sector.
 

What made you take a leap into entrepreneurship?

I would not call myself an entrepreneur per se but rather a social innovator. By a social innovator I mean an individual that identifies a social development problem and identifies a solution to raise funds to meet the problems. What made me go this direction is the realization that there are several children and youths in Malawi with great potential who fail to realize their dreams due to lack of funds for their studies and other scholastic costs. This is how Maphunziro265 was conceived, with the aim of linking students to sponsors and also as a platform to raise money to support the organization and the students.

How has the mission of your organization evolved ever since?

The mission of the organization has evolved to meet the changing needs of demand as well as to keep up with technological changes and improvements. Initially when the organization started in 2016, it comprised of 7 core members of the leadership team. As the organization grew, there was need to cover all the districts of the country. This led to the organization recruiting volunteers across the country. To date the organization has over 30 volunteers across the country in 25 districts. Secondly, the organization has had to expand its scope from dealing with local scholarships to working with students on international scholarship (i.e. the nationwide Chevening scholarship campaign with the British High Commission), it also has had to review and re organize the mentorship program to meet the changing needs of students as well as the job market.

 

Where do you get funding to keep the organization running?

We get funding from Well wishers, fund raising activities i.e. consultancy exercises and donations.

 What would you say was the single most influential factor in your success?

The ability as co founders (myself and chimwemwe manyozo) of the organization to identify a core leadership team and volunteers that are hard working, dedicated and share the same passion; And the ability to share our idea with the team, to inspire them and to open up spaces for criticism and discussion. To create an environment that fosters personal growth, creativity, innovation and development within the teams. Every idea is welcome for discussion within Maphunziro265 no matter how crazy it may seem.

 What can you point out as the achievements of your institution?

Raising over 4000$ to date which is sponsoring close to 20 students across Malawi. The various mentorship sessions which have reached out to thousands of students across the country and the growth of the team from 7 to over 30 in under 1 year.

 What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your institution?

Putting together enough funds to set up the organization and establish a web presence through which we connect and link with sponsors and students. Apart from than developing Maphunziro265 into a brand that is well known across Malawi and with our partners who eventually become sponsors posed as challenges. 

 How did you overcome these challenges?

Putting money together from our own resources to establish the organization and establish a powerful communications to market the organization across different media platforms in order for the organization to be well known and have a wide reaching audience. We also used existing networks with media personnel and media houses for support.

 What are some strategies that you would recommend for making the best use of one’s time?

Develop a plan for the year which you will break down into months and further into weekly. This is to be updated according to need. At the end of each day, cross check if you have been able to achieve what you planned for yourself in that day. This will help you keep track of your plans and ensure that you use your time accordingly.  

 Who is your role model and why?

My mum. Growing up she was a primary school teacher. She left that job and went back to university. Currently she is part of the leadership team for the organization she works with. She inspires me that it is never too late for self development and she is an embodiment of dreams coming true for anyone as long as you focus and work hard.

 Where do you see yourself in the next five to ten years?

In the next few years I see myself as a youth and child development expert, working across the globe on issues that support and promote youth development with particular interest in girl child development. I also see M265 as a far reaching organization that supports children across the country with scholarships and development programs.

 What 3 books would you recommend that every entrepreneur read?

Lean In by Sheryll Sandberg, The Myth of More and Other Life traps that sabotage the happiness you deserve by Joseph R. Novello and Fervent: A Woman’s Battle plan for serious, specific and strategic prayer.

 What advice would you give to other ladies who have the dreams to impact their communities but are afraid to start out?

Start, start and start. You may not have a complete plan, or maybe you may have just an idea. Learn as much as you can about the area you have passion in, check out who is already doing something similar and just start. You will learn more as you go along. If you continue sitting on that dream, it will remain a dream. Go there and just start. Even with minimal funds, just start.
 

What else do you do apart from running Maphunziro 265?

I have just finished my studies at University of Sussex in UK. So this is what occupied me the past year. But in my free time I love to read books, participate in online discussions and debates on global youth issues and travel to new places.
 

How do you manage your daily endeavors to ensure that you are giving each and everything (or everyone) the required time, not losing your vision in the process?

I make plans and stick to my plans. Time for school is used for school and so is time for work and family. There are times when school has required much more attention than anything else and I have provided myself that flexibility but often I make up with my family and spend time with them as well later.