About Pakachere

Who We Are

Pakachere Institute for Health and Development Communication (IHDC) was established as part of a Soul City regional health communication project under PSI Malawi in 2002.  The regional programme was implemented in 9 Southern African countries with the aim of building the capacity of local organisations to design, implement and monitor Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) interventions.

Our History
Our History
The project originally adapted media materials that Soul City used in South Africa in its behavioural change communication campaigns, which included radio, print, and television. Over years, there was a strategic shift by the project to producing original content and materials through radio, print, and television. The project's focuses on HIV and AIDS, TB, Gender Based Violence as well as other issues related to the health and wellbeing of Malawians.

In 2008, Pakachere IHDC transitioned from being a project under PSI/Malawi to become an independent local NGO. As a local NGO, Pakachere established itself as one of the leading health and development communication brand through its creative print and mass media campaigns. It became a pacesetter of most of the contemporary radio and TV programming through its ability to break cultural barriers through open communication. Among the popular brands were the One Love Campaign which was lauded as a game changer in HIV and AIDS communication campaign.

In 2009, Pakachere IHDC started expanding its program footprint to include HIV prevention among key population’s especially female sex workers. This scope of work further expanded in 2015, when the organisation became one of the implementing partners for LINKAGES, a 5-year PEPFAR funded project which was led by FHI 360. From 2015 onward, Pakachere IHDC has been delivering comprehensive HIV services among Female Sex Workers, Adolescents Girls and Young Women and their male partners through 12 Drop-in-Centres, Outreach clinics and referral to public facilities. Currently the organisation is implementing key population programs in a total of 8 districts with support from both PEPFAR (through USAID) and Global Fund (through World Vision International). The work with Adolescent Girls and Young Women is being implemented in a total of 5 districts with support from both Global Fund (WVI) and PEPFAR (USAID).

Why Choose Us?

Integrity

Pakachere is guided by good financial and administrative systems that allow financial accountability and transparency through systematic financial and audit reports. The conduct of its employee is above board and demonstrate sound, honest, exemplary behaviour characterized by excellence and hard work.

Professionalism

Pakachere endeavours to do quality work and maintain meaningful relationship with population groups by adhering to existing principles and ethics. The organisation expects staff to achieve optimal performance. Staff ensures that they are always acting professionally in line with the organization’s policies and procedures.

Innovation

Pakachere constantly strives to do unique and attractive things and be creative by using new ideas, new ways of doing things better and techniques in its SBCC as well as improving access to and provision of health care services for vulnerable groups.

Empathy

Pakachere operates with respect to the needs of the populations. We work with and other stakeholders, understanding different perspectives and caring about the feelings and needs of others.

Leadership Team

Simon Sikwese

Executive Director

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Simon Sikwese - Executive Director
Simon Sikwese leads Pakachere IHDC’s work and vision as an Executive Director. He is one of the founding members of the organization and has led its vision and strategic growth over the past 15 years. Under his leadership, Pakachere IHDC has become one of the local leading health non-governmental organizations in Malawi with over 80 full time staff and 250 community volunteers delivering health information and services to marginalized communities. He previously worked as a Project Director for a regional social and behavior change communication Project under PSI-Malawi. He also worked with The Story Workshop Educational Trust in his early career. Simon has made significant contribution to the field of social and behavior change communication in Malawi through strategic partnerships and engagement with national level policy working groups including PrEP Communication and Advocacy Sub-group, Prevention Technical Working Group and Behavior Change Sub-group. His personal hobby is football and this has led him to chairing one of the prestigious football clubs in Malawi- Be-Forward Wanderers. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science (Psychology) from University of Malawi and a Masters Degree in Public Health: (Social and Behavior change Communication) from University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Cosmas Kamba

Chief Of Party

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Cosmas Kamba / Technical Director – Leap Project
Cosmas Kamba is The Chief Of Party and he has over 15 years clinical experience in HIV and AIDS management, treatment and care. In the same field, he has also worked in Gender Based Violence and Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) interventions. Prior to joining Pakachere IHDC, Cosmas was Deputy Medical Program Manager at Dignitas International. While on this position, he implemented AGYW interventions for over one year. Before joining Dignitas International, Cosmas worked for Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) as an Operational Research Manager, where he coordinated several operational research studies including the TB LAM and Ageing studies. While at MSF, he facilitated capacity building for Ministry of Health staff and decentralization of HIV/AIDS treatment and care to underserved communities and health facilities in Chiradzulu District. In his personal time, Cosmas loves to read medical journals. Cosmas has a Diploma in Clinical Medicine, Post graduate certificate in Management, Post graduate Diploma in Management, Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Information and Management, Master in Public Health and Master in Business Administration from Edge Hill University (UK)
Chinthemwa Mkandawire

Head Of Finance & Admin

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Chinthemwa Mkandawire - Head of Finance and Administration
Chinthemwa Mkandawire is one of the founding members of Pakachere IHDC and currently heads the finance and administration department in the organization. Chinthemwa has over 25 years’ experience in financial management for projects supported by donors such as the UN, DFID, USAID, OSISA, Global Fund and others. Chinthemwa uses his natural disposition to detail and organization to ensure efficient management and documentation of finances. He oversees all aspects of financial management, including financial systems implementation, budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting for organization. Over the past 15 Years, he has managed a tight ship with consistent unqualified institutional annual audits. Chinthemwa is an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) finalist. He enjoys listening to Jazz music or watching football during his free time.
Temwanani Khonje

Human Resources Manager

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Temwanani Khonje - Human Resources Manager
Temwanani Rachael Khonje works as a Human Resources Manager. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Commonwealth University obtained in 2014 and Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management obtained at the University of Malawi (Chancellor College) in 2010. Launching her Human Resource Management career as Management Trainee - Human Resources and Payroll Manager in 2011 at Eco Bank Malawi and First Capital Bank, Temwa now has over 13 years of human resources management experience. She has good understanding of the Malawi labour framework, performance management systems, recruitment and selection procedures, human resource management information systems, disciplinary procedures and many more. In her free time, Temwa likes travelling to places and playing golf. She is an open minded person.
Cosmas Kamba

Technical Director

Godfrey Msowoya

Director Of Finance & Operations

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Godfrey Msowoya - Director of Finance & Operations
Godfrey Msowoya is Director of Finance and Operations with extensive experience in Program Operations, Implementation, Finance, Grants Management and Capacity Development. Godfrey has over 15 years’ experience managing grants and finances for organizations that have been funded by donors such as PEPFAR, USAID, UN, DFID, NORAD among others. He has led in designing, implementing and training teams in budget monitoring tools, gap analyses, cost models, expenditure controls, risk management, work plan management and strategy implementation. Prior to his role at Pakachere IHDC, he worked with Family Planning Association of Malawi as Director of Finance and Administration; Finance and Grants Controller at Partners in Health and Grants Manager at Marie Stopes (Banja Lamtsogolo). Godfrey holds a Masters of Business Administration (Finance) from Amity University, a Bachelor of Accountancy from University of Malawi and an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting – CIMA.
Jonathan Mbuna

Advocacy & Training Manager

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Jonathan Mbuna -Advocacy & Training Manager
Jonathan Mbuna leads Pakachere IHDC’s work in organization development, policies, systems strengthening and trainings. He is a seasoned development practitioner with over 20 years’ experience working in health and development sector. He has worked in the public, private and not-for-profit institutions. Jonathan has worked with Ministry of Health and Population, Malawi Institute of Management, Save the Children, The Story Workshop Education Trust, The Daily Times and Capacity Building Organization (CABUNGO) in varying roles including Administrator, Health Planner, Researcher, OD Practitioner, Management Consultant, Journalist and Program Manager. Jonathan has significantly contributed to the development, review and strengthening of Pakachere’s operational policies and resource mobilization initiatives. In his personal time, Jonathan is a creative writer and has written 2 fictional books, radio and television scripts. He is a board member for a Malawian organization called Baseflow. Jonathan holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from University of Mzumbe, Tanzania and Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences from University of Malawi, Chancellor College.
Joel Gondwe

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Director

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Joel Gondwe - Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Director
Joel Gondwe leads the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning department with more than 10 years of experience in the field of Monitoring and Evaluation, data analysis and visualization. He has been providing leadership and strategic support in the design & maintenance of credible M&E systems for USAID, DFID, PEPFAR, World Bank Funded programs/projects in education (Early Grade Reading & Early Childhood Development), health and HIV-AIDS, nutrition, agriculture, forestry & natural resource management and Clinical research. He has skills and experience in DHIS2, ODK Central, Zoho Analytics BI, Microsoft Power BI, R (Programming Language) · Microsoft SQL Server · Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), MySQL, Stata, SPSS, ArcGIS Pro, PostgreSQL, JetBrains DataGrip , Microsoft Access, Digital Ocean and DATIM. He is currently finalizing his MSc in Data Science form Edinburgh Napier University – Scotland and holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management from University of Malawi.

Board of Trustees

Robert white

Chairperson

Chikondi Chijozi

Director

Mphatso Phiri

Director

Joel Suzi

Director

Anizi Mitha

Director

Safari Mbewe

Director

Chimwemwe Mabulekesi

Director

Our Project Leadership

Kumbukani Chawinga

HIV Testing Advisor- Empower

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Kumbukani Chawinga - Senior HTS Technical Advisor
Kumbukani Chawinga is a Senior HTS Technical Advisor at Pakachere IHDC supporting the implementation of the PEPFAR funded EMPOWER/DREAMS project which is being implemented in Machinga, Zomba and Phalombe. Kumbukani, is a medical and public health practitioner with more than 12 years’ experience in health and HIV/AIDS programs. Since 2014, He has served in technical leadership roles with Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in resource-challenged settings overseeing and supporting a variety of HIV/AIDS testing and treatment efforts, including a project which targeted sex workers and another that targeted prison populations as Medical Activities Manager. Before joining MSF, Kumbukani worked as District Manager with the Family Planning Association of Malawi where he supported family planning services, trainings and monitoring activities. Previously, Kumbukani worked for the Ministry of Health for six years as a Clinician. He holds a masters in public health with a focus in health promotion from the Share World Open University, a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine from Mzuzu University/ Saint John of God College of Health Sciences; a Diploma in Clinical Medicine from Malamulo College of Health Sciences and Certificate in Clinical Medical from Malawi College of Health Sciences. In his free time, Kumbukani likes playing chess and puzzle games, reading professional books, learning new skills, and keeping up with the latest developments in public health.

Chrispine Chagwa

Project Manager- Adolescent Girls and Young Women

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Chrispine Chagwa - Project Manager
Chrispine Chagwa works as a Project Manager leading the implementation of the Global Fund Adolescent Girls and Young Women Project in Thyolo District. He also provides oversight for the GF-female sex workers project. Previously, Chrispin served as District Coordinator for Mchinji under USAID Funded Malaria Project, as well as a Manager for a Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) funded Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Project. He joined Pakachere IHDC in 2015 and has over the years acquired exceptional skills in project management, project monitoring and evaluation, financial management, facilitation as well as budget formulation and implementation. Chrispine has a Bachelors Degree in Education from University of Malawi (Chancellor College). During his free time, Chrispine enjoys watching soccer and movies especially series.

Wongani Kanyenda

Gender and Social Inclusion Advisor

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Wongani Kanyenda - Gender and Social Inclusion Advisor
Wongani Kanyenda is a Gender and Social Inclusion advisor currently supporting the USAID funded MOMENTUM Tiyeni Project. Wongani have more than 6 years’ experience in the field of gender. Her areas of expertise include adaptation of gender transformative curriculum as well as approaches using SASA, Social Analysis and Action and gender Action Learning System, used for Capacity building of staff members, partners, community member. She has worked with several international and local organizations on consultancy assignments as a gender expert including World Education, Trocaire, Tetra Tech and Farm Radio Trust. She has also worked on gender projects as a fulltime officer/coordinator at WOJAM, Engender Health and COWLHA. Wongani holds a bachelor of science degree in nutrition and food science and is currently studying towards a master's degree in gender and development studies with LUANAR. In her free time, Wongani loves interacting with family and friends and listening to gospel and soul music. She also loves visiting new places.

Shida Gomani

Social and Behavior Change Communication Manager

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Shida Gomani - SBCC Manager
Shida Mvula Gomani is an SBCC Manager. She is currently supporting the social and behavior change intervention component for the USAID funded MOMENTUM TIYENI. Previously Shida has worked as a Community Mobilization Officer, Project Officer and Project Manager at Pakachere IHDC. She has managed donor funded projects including Integrating Nutrition in Value Chains project funded by USAID targeting pregnant and lactating mothers, Interventions to support adolescents affected by floods funded by UNICEF, Safeguarding Young People project funded by UNFPA and key populations and AGYW projects funded by Global Fund. Shida holds a Bachelors Degree in Nutrition and Food Science from University of Malawi and is currently studying towards a Masters in International Public Health. In her personal time, Shida enjoys travelling to new places, reading, planning and organizing events, learning new ideas and cultures.

Thembi Thadzi

Partnership Manager - Zathu

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Thembi Thadzi
Thembi Thadzi is a development and leadership specialist focusing on youth with over 8 years experience. She is currently the project lead for the Innovation in Health, Rights and Development project, targeting adolescent girls and boys, a project funded by Global Affairs Canada. She has managed donor funded projects By Nike foundation ,through Zathu, a youth brand that uses the power of music and storytelling to influence behavior change among young people in Malawi, Gavi the vaccine Alliance ,through a project that supported MOH in creating demand for the Human papilloma Virus vaccine (HPV vaccine )amongst the nine (9) year old girls in all the primary schools across the country , and a Youth and Mental Health project that was addressing the challenges of depression amongst the adolescent and youth funded by Grand Challenges Canada. Thembi has also held several positions of influence within the youth sector. She served as Presidential Advisor on Youth to late President Bingu wa Mutharika. She also served as chairperson of National Youth Council of Malawi. She is also Mandela Washington Fellow, An award winner of women of distinction under Young women leaders, Youth leadership award and a recipient of the Commonwealth Youth Initiative award. She was also rated 35 under 35 by the International People and seats on number of boards including AIESEC , MHUB and Mlimi Trust . She holds an MBA from Eastern & Southern African Institute obtained in 2021.

Meet
The District
Leadership

Mellia Kamtimaleka

Blantyre District Coordinator

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Mellia Kamtimaleka - Blantyre District Coordinator
Mellia works as a District Coordinator for Blantyre district responsible for the implementation and coordination of LEAP activities. Mellia joined Pakachere IHDC in September 2015 at the time that Pakachere was implementing the PEPFAR funded LINKAGES project. She continued leading a team of over 17 people when LEAP implementation started in 2019. From 2018-2019, Mellia supported the implementation of the first PrEP implementation science project that was led by FHI 360 and implemented in three DICs in Blantyre districts. Mellia also leads the implementation of the DREAMS component in Blantyre district. She is passionate about women’s health. Mellia holds a Bachelors Degree in Public Health and Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery.

Enock Changamire

Mangochi District Coodinator

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Enock Changamire - Mangochi District Health Officer
Enock Changamire is District Coordinator supporting implementation of LEAP Activities in Mangochi District. He has more than 15 years’ experience in public health leadership, research, communication, program management and implementation. He has been with Pakachere IHDC since 2015 in his current position. Prior to that position, he led several programs in the Ministry of Health under Mangochi District Hospital including Evidence for Action, Health Research, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Youth Friendly Health services. In these positions, he built the capacity of health service providers across Malawi in the Syndromic Management of STIs; provision of key population and youth friendly health services; Comprehensive Sexuality Education among Primary and Secondary school teachers and evidence based decision making among health care workers, religious, traditional and institutional leaders.

Veronica Mkandawire

Mzimba District Coordinator

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Veronica Mkandawire - Mzimba District Coordinator
Veronica Mkandawire works as a District Coordinator for Mzimba District. She joined Pakachere IHDC in February 2018 and has for the past five years led the implementation of HIV Prevention and Treatment interventions that targets key population. She leads a team of 16 members of staff in delivering person-centred HIV services through three Drop-in-Centres in Mzimba. She is a highly motivated person with passion of serving young women, children and other priority populations in health. Veronica has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social work from the DMI University, Diploma in Psychosocial Counseling and Psychology from ST John of God College, Certificates in HIV testing from Ministry of Health, teaching of regular children, Teaching special needs children from the Ministry of Education and HIV Care and Counseling from University of South Africa.

Trezar Marie Mnenula

Lilongwe District Coordinator

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Trezar Marie Mnenula – Lilongwe District Coordinator
Trezar Marie Mnenula  is a dynamic and dedicated professional who is the District coordinator for Lilongwe district under LEAP Project leading a team of 20 staff members. Trezar Joined Pakachere in October  2018 as Drop-in centremanager for Bangwe DIC where she demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, innovative thinking and a passion for making a difference in the KP community. Trezar is passionate about HIV/AIDS prevention services and is an AGYW development enthusiast. Trezar has a diploma in clinical medicine , a Bachelor of science in Environmental studies & in addition to the professional accomplishments Trezar is currently in her final year pursuing a masters degree in Environmental Health at Malawi University of business and applied sciences (MuBAS).With a unique blend of Environmental studies, public health and clinical medicine Trezar is well equipped to drive meaningful change and improve lives of PLHIV in the district and beyond.

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