Ms. Muntali  left,  & Cultural Affairs Assistant Pamela Kuwali

Nobel Nominee and International Visitor Alumna Visits Public Affairs Lilongwe

International Visitor Alumna, Ms. Helen Munthali, Executive Director of Towvirane AIDS Organization, recently called on Public Affairs to update us on the results of her experience as an International Visitor in 1995.  She was nominated by then Peace Corps Director Bobbye Pickett in 1995 to participate in a Community Empowerment IV program.  Ms. Munthali said she was impressed during the program by the self-possession and assertiveness of American women and their dedication to community projects. 

She added that participation in the program fundamentally changed her world view by exposing her to a wider range of possibilities, and to people who were motivated to make a difference in their communities.  Ms. Munthali commented that she returned to Malawi with a new vision that led her to design a resource mobilization strategy for Tovwirane.  "Before my International Visitor program, I never would have felt able to go speak to donors to raise funds for my NGO.  But when I returned I felt empowered, and found the support my organization needed."

Ms. Munthali proudly mentioned that as a result of the strategies she learned during her IV visit, Tovwirane grew from a community based organization with only  40 volunteers to an NGO with a secretariat and over 1000 registered volunteers.  Today the organization is engaged in a wide range of HIV/AIDS activities including home-based care, voluntary counseling and testing, income generating activities, information, education and communication, as well as HIV/AIDS support groups.  Tovwirane now caters for 7000 orphaned children and nearly 4000 adult clients. 

As a result of her efforts leading Tovwirane, Ms. Munthali was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.  Ms. Munthali attributed the enormous success of her organization to the skills she acquired from the IV program.  Ms. Munthali added that Tovwirane is now a example in the Mzimba district for community-based change, and has inspired other women to mobilize themselves into similar groups.  Ms. Munthali mentors other women involved in community-based organizations, and said she always shares with them her experience as an IV in the U.S.