She may not yet be a household name across Malawi, but Ida Puliwa Mwango’s community-driven initiatives are gaining significant international acclaim.

As the founder and Executive Director of the Othakarhaka (OTK) Foundation, which translates to "Passing on the Kindness", Ida is transforming lives in her home village of Nakhonyo and across the rural stretches of Mulanje District.

A Journey Fueled by Resilience

Ida’s path was never easy. Growing up in a family of three girls, her father, George Puliwa, recalls being mocked by villagers who suggested that a family without sons had no future. But Ida defied those cultural prejudices.

"I was the first girl in my village to attend university," Ida says. "However, I nearly lost my place at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) due to poverty. It was only through the support of a retired American professor, Dr. Marquita Hill, that I was able to complete my education."

Determined to ensure other girls wouldn't face the same barriers, Ida launched an initiative to support education and vulnerable groups while she was still a student.

The Power of "Passing on the Kindness"

What sets the Othakarhaka Foundation apart is its unique, sustainable model. Rather than fostering dependency, the "Passing on the Kindness" approach requires beneficiaries to eventually support others in need.

This philosophy has yielded remarkable results: Education: OTK provides scholarships for secondary and tertiary students and operates the "Bloombox," a mobile digital library for rural schools; Healthcare & Housing: The foundation runs a community clinic and has constructed 57 houses for survivors of Cyclone Freddy, in partnership with IDI Africa, and Sustainability: The group invests in irrigation agriculture and youth skills development.

Senior Chief Nkanda, who initially doubted Ida’s capabilities because of her gender, is now her biggest advocate. "I did not expect this girl would bring such transformation, but I am incredibly proud to have her in my area," the Chief admits.

Lives Transformed

The impact is best seen through students like Christina Jossam, a first-year accounting student at MUBAS. At age 14, poverty nearly forced Christina into a child marriage.

"OTK rescued me and took responsibility for my education," Christina says. "Now, I intern in their finance department and I’ve already started passing on that kindness to other students before I’ve even graduated."

Similarly, Diniwe Banda, a recent Physics graduate from the University of Malawi, credits OTK for taking him from a struggling household to a university degree. "They didn't just pay fees; they made sure I had breakfast every day so I could focus on my studies," he recalls.

Global Recognition

Ida’s grassroots success has caught the attention of some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. She has been invited to lecture at Stanford, Georgetown, and the University of Michigan.

Professor Ted London of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan describes Ida as a world-class role model. "Ida and OTK solve problems in a unique way," he says. "I value her highly, which is why I invited her to share her work as a guest expert with our students."

Women’s rights activist Jessie Ching’oma notes that Ida’s work aligns perfectly with the Malawi 2063 vision and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. "She is turning informality into a formal system of empowerment, making women less susceptible to gender-based violence," Ching’oma says.

A Call for Local Support

Despite her international accolades, Ida remains focused on the marginalized communities of Mulanje. However, the story of Othakarhaka highlights a gap in local support.

While international partners have stepped up, there is a growing call for the Malawian government to formally recognize and support such grassroots champions.

Ida Puliwa Mwango proved that being "just a girl" from a poor village is no barrier to changing the world. Now, she is ensuring that thousands of others have the same chance to lead.