When we started
In 2010 after spending some time in Malawi Laura Buttafoco (bestuurder/voorzitter) and Mauro Poma (Bestuurder/secretaris/Penningmeester) founded Marajowi with the aim of giving some of the children in Nkhata Bay a better chance in life. In 2015 they registered Stichting Marajowi as a foundation with the dutch tax office. Immediately afterwards the foundation was granted ANBI status in the Netherlands, thus ensuring the donors to have some tax benefits (under determined conditions).
Who we are
In her daily life, Laura Buttafoco is an experienced professional in the pharmaceutical world whereas Mauro Poma works as a tour guide in Rome (Italy) and in the Netherlands. Laura and Mauro are married and have a son, Flavio. After all these years Laura and Mauro are still happily managing this project from the Netherlands, where they live. It does take a lot of energy to keep things going from far, but seeing the smiles on the children faces is the best reward ever. However, they would not be able to do this without the help of some local people.
Our local help
During the first 3 years, Gresham Agile Ng’Ambi helped achieving a successful start of Marajowi. Unfortunately, when they finally got some more substantial donation and started doing something extra, Gresham was not able to handle the sudden ‘fortune.’ He behaved in a completely unethical way. Today they don’t know anything about his whereabouts. Luckily they were able to establish a good working relation with Clement Gumbo, one of the old teachers of Wukani Education Facility (in the picture with his family, when we last visited him in 2014). From February 2014 till 2023, he has been helping them manage all the kids (except Malita) and act as interface with their families. From 2024, his wife Grace is mostly helping by sharing with us info on Stella and with some administration things here and there. Everyone is very loyal to Marajowi.
Malita’s education path is completely different from that of the other children. Luckily Laura and Mauro were able to establish a good relationship with the teachers at the Bandawe School for the Hearing Impaired that Malita is attending. As of today, the Head of the school has understood the purpose of Marajowi has always been a great support with this. Unfortunately, there seems to be a high turn over in the people covering this position. As a consequence first they got help from Andrew Chulu, then from Lerapie Banda. Nowadays, they are in touch with Stuart Chiwona who is making sure that all Malita’s needs are met and that she gets the best from her school life.
