Tumaini Letu - Malawi

03/04/2026

We have big news!

Tumaini Letu is proud to be named a winner of the 2026 Ockenden International Prize, a global recognition of innovative, refugee-led solutions advancing self-reliance.

Out of 167 entries from 43 countries and territories, Tumaini Letu stands among five inspiring organisations from Greece, Chad, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

This recognition puts Malawi on the global map, and shines a light on what’s possible when refugees are given the platform to lead, create, and thrive.

At the heart of this award is the Tumaini Festival, our flagship initiative that transforms a former prison into a vibrant space of music, dance, and art. A space where dignity is restored, talents are celebrated, and opportunities are created.

As the judges shared, the festival is “an unapologetic celebration of refugees’ talents and contributions” — uniquely bringing people together while unlocking real economic opportunities.

This award belongs to every artist, volunteer, partner, and community member who makes Tumaini possible.

We are just getting started.

27/03/2026

We are incredibly proud to share some life-changing news ✨
Our Founder, Tresor Nzengu Mpauni (Menes La Plume), has been selected as an Ashoka Fellow—one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for social entrepreneurs.

This honor recognizes over a decade of work through Tumaini Letu to transform how the world sees refugees—not as beneficiaries of aid, but as creators, leaders, and changemakers. From Dzaleka Refugee Camp to the global stage, this journey has been powered by community, creativity, and resilience.

“Being an Ashoka Fellow is a life-changing opportunity. It is being connected to a world of possibilities where the only option is growth and scaling. Ashoka does not focus on the organization or program—they believe in the leader. They invest their resources to ensure the leader is positioned to reach a global scale. I am deeply honored to have been selected through one of the most rigorous processes I have ever experienced.”

Founded in 2012, Tumaini Letu continues to champion the social, cultural, and economic inclusion of refugees in Malawi.

This recognition is not just ours—it belongs to every artist, volunteer, partner, and community member who has been part of this movement.

The journey continues. 🚀

29/01/2026

On Tuesday the 27th, we had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, based in Pretoria.

Our discussions focused on the work and impact of Tumaini Letu in Dzaleka Refugee Camp, with special attention to the Tumaini Festival, which we have proudly hosted since 2014. We exchanged ideas on the festival’s long-term sustainability and explored potential areas of collaboration.

We also discussed opportunities for Tumaini Letu to support the promotion of the French language through Movie n Chat, a debate initiative under our Youth Impact Program, as well as the possibility of reviving the French Club in Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

The delegation included Mr. Jean Spiri, Head of Cooperation; Mr. Johann Robinet, Education and French Cooperation Attaché; and Ms. Ines Schmitt, Cooperation Attachée to Malawi. The visit was led by Mr. Precious Mwiko, representing UNHCR Malawi.

We look forward to seeing these ideas materialize as we continue promoting cultural, social, and economic inclusion of refugees through meaningful partnerships.

12/01/2026

Happy New Year from Tumaini Letu! 🎉

As we step into a fresh chapter, we’re excited to connect with you. At Tumaini Letu, we are passionate about promoting the economic, social, and cultural inclusion of refugees in Malawi.

Through capacity building, business opportunities, and strong community connections, we are working toward a brighter and more inclusive future for both refugees and host communities.

Join us on this journey—let’s create impactful stories together!

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas from the Tumaini Letu & Festival Team!

Wishing you joy, peace, and love this holiday season. May your heart be filled with warmth and your spirit lifted. Thank you for being part of our community!

10/12/2025

We were delighted to host Patrick Gwaza, the new Programs Officer of the Segal Family Foundation , on Monday, 8th December. The visit provided an opportunity for Patrick to learn more about Tumaini Letu's work and programs, with a focus on strengthening the partnership between Tumaini Letu and the Segal Family Foundation .

The meeting aimed to explore areas of collaboration and how the partnership can be deepened to support the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing our work together and achieving greater impact.

Collaboration

10/12/2025

We were delighted to host Patrick Gwaza, the new Programs Officer of the Segal Family Foundation , on Monday, 8th December. The visit provided an opportunity for Patrick to learn more about Tumaini Letu's work and programs, with a focus on strengthening the partnership between Tumaini Letu and the Segal Family Foundation .

The meeting aimed to explore areas of collaboration and how the partnership can be deepened to support the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing our work together and achieving greater impact.

05/12/2025

It's finally Friday! Let's dive into the weekend with the Tumaini Festival vibes still ringing in our hearts!

04/12/2025

It was so wonderful working with Roy

𝗔𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜+𝗘 𝗪𝗨𝗦𝗖 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗶 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆.

Meet Roy Endriaku, who was partnered with Tumaini Letu - Malawi.

He shares..."My favourite part about volunteering in Malawi has been the support for volunteers and partners appreciating my work."

Interested in also making an impact? Become a volunteer at www.volunteer.wusc.ca/
+E

03/12/2025

Learn about love, resilience, hope, loss, and renewal among people living in refugee camps around the world through We Are All Storytellers, a book of stories, poems, and reflections by refugees, written by Heritier Havyarimana and Assmaa Rashed.

The book is available on Amazon.
https://a.co/d/dtfGIU8

01/12/2025

On Friday, 28 November, we hosted a meeting with one of our good partners from The Doing Good Foundation. During their visit, they introduced us to their new Country Director, and we discussed the future of our partnership and ways it can benefit both the refugee community and the host community.