The newly launched Tiwale Limodzi Foundation of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has on today, November 28, 2025, distributed maize to families severely affected by hunger in the areas of Traditional Authorities Kabudula and Kayembe in Dowa District, Malawi. The distribution took place at Christ the King, Nambuma Parish.

This urgent donation is a direct response initiated by the Archbishop of Lilongwe, His Grace George Tambala, following distress calls from the parish regarding the critical food situation in the surrounding communities.

People gathered at Nambuma Parish for Maize donation by Tiwale Limodzi Foundation

Speaking during the distribution, Brian Odhiambo, Chief Executive Officer for the foundation, confirmed that responding to disasters is a core value of the organization. He elaborated on the selection process for the beneficiaries, noting the vast need compared to the initial resources.

“Even though the appeal which came from the Nambuma area is so many families, about 2,000, we are only able to assist a few for now. We targeted especially the elderly and also families that are child-headed, and also those who are disabled in one way or another.”

Brian addresses the gathering

Odhiambo expressed gratitude for the financial support that made the exercise possible, acknowledging contributors such as the O’Neill Foundation and Centenary Bank. He also noted that today’s distribution is not the last: “We are coming again next week to continue providing more maize using the support that we received from Centenary Bank.”

Odhiambo also emphasized that the foundation is focused on “integral development” to provide lasting solutions beyond immediate relief.

“We are looking into, for example, how can we give a long-lasting solution to this problem. So we are thinking, for example, to give them farming materials so that they can be able to self-sustain themselves. We are also, as Tiwale Foundation, we are also thinking about giving scholarships… We believe that this kind of approach is going to give a lasting solution. It’s not only one time.”

He also highlighted the need to address the root causes of climate-related disasters in order “to avoid the recurrence of hunger and this kind of situation, there is a need to look into how we save the planet… we are also trying to protect our planet by doing environmental programs, ecological programs.”

Nambuma Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa, thanked the foundation for its timely response, which will bring relief to villagers struggling after the 2024/2025 farming season faced El Niño challenges, resulting in poor harvests.

Nambuma Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa

Fr. Kubalasa underscored the severity of the crisis in the area:

“The situation is very bad here in Nambuma. A lot of people need food and every day I’m receiving a lot of people coming looking for food… These people need a lot of help. I’m glad that Tiwale Limodzi Foundation which was launched in July this year has already started bearing some fruits.”

He specifically thanked the O’Neill Foundation from the United States for their donation and urged other organizations to support the young foundation to ensure they can continue their work, stating, “This is what the church organization should do.”

One of the beneficiaries, Rajani Chimwaza, conveyed profound gratitude for the assistance. He described his desperate situation, noting that the donation arrived exactly when it was needed most.

One of the beneficiaries, Rajani Chimwaza

“The donation has come in time as I was sleeping with an empty stomach due to having no food. I have no money and food, this will really help,” he said.

Tiwale Limodzi Foundation was launched on July 5 this year as a social arm of the Archdiocese dedicated to coordinating and strengthening the Church’s outreach to the marginalized.