“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Megan Mathis
CO-Founder & Director of Fundraising | DENVER, CO
I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and am grateful to call myself a USC alum (Fight On!) as well as an alumni of University College of London. My dream was to work in the music industry (despite growing up with zero musical ability). Never in a million years would I think that my passion for music would take me to a tiny land-locked country in southeast Africa, but it did! I’d always had a heart for giving back, volunteering wherever I lived and wherever I travelled so when an opportunity came about to volunteer for the Lake of Stars Music Festival in Malawi, I jumped at the chance.
Hudson Mwale
Co-Founder & Director of Programs | Mangochi, Malawi
I grew up in a family of 5, 2 boys & 3 girls in Nkhotakota, in the Central Region of Malawi . My parents were poor and as such they failed to send me to attain tertiary education. Nevertheless; God did not forsake me, He lifted me up and guided me to go to South Africa where I earned enough funds to return and start a business in the Mangochi District. While I was doing my business, I started working as Finance Officer for an NGO project (Assessment of Government Social Services) and as a FISH Technician (Fisheries Integration of Society and Habitats) a project that deals with environmental issues, mainly promoting sustainable and best practices of fishing in our lake bodies including Lake Malawi.
BEAVER DZIKITI
Music Program Director, Mangochi, Malawi
I am the first born of a family of 5 children. I was raised by my both parents in Mangochi but sadly lost my mother when I was 12 due to maternal complications after giving birth to my youngest sibling. Then in 2005 my father followed her to be with the Lord as a result of HIV/AIDS. I became head of the family at just 25 years old and had to take care of my siblings. It was a difficult time with unbearable hardship as I had to look for work just to support my brothers and sisters. By God’s grace I was able to attend secondary school, and graduated from Nkope Community Day Secondary School in 2001.
Mayeso Mwale
Youth Entrepreneurship & Girls Empowerment Program MANAGER | Mangochi, Malawi
I am the last born child of a family of four children. I come from the central region of Malawi, the capital city of Lilongwe.
I completed my primary and secondary education in Lilongwe at Chowo and Lilongwe Girls Secondary School, respectively. After secondary education I pursued my tertiary education at a private college called Blantyre Business College where I studied Travel and Tourism. I was awarded a Diploma in Front Office Management (Receptionist) after completion.
Dickens Mahwayo
assistant Director | mangochi, malawi
I was born in Zomba (southern Malawi) in a small town called Nasawa. I was the first born of 11 children. Growing up we moved around a lot. My father worked for a government agricultural marketing company that moved him around frequently for different projects. I started school when I was 5, and actually skipped ahead a grade because I was a very bright child. Even though my Dad had a good job, it wasn’t enough to support all 11 of us children so my mother went to work selling fried donuts in the local market.