A Year of Growth, Grit, and Community in Malawi

The Trustees — December 2025

Across Malawi's rural communities, 2025 has been a year of meaningful progress at Fisherman's Rest Community Projects. From continued clean water access to school meals, from tree nurseries to old & new safe spaces for young people, here's a glimpse of the work your support makes possible.

None of this happens without people. A huge thank you to our board, partners, friends, and every donor who has believed in our work. Your generosity is felt in every repaired handpump, every child fed, and every seedling planted.

Keeping Water Flowing for Thousands

The Madzi Alipo (MA) handpump programme remains one of Malawi's most impactful water initiatives. Working across roughly 2,400 handpumps, the team has pushed functionality in Blantyre Rural to around 92%. The Somba Traditional Authority area reached an impressive 96%.

Key figures:

In 2026, the programme looks set to expand into Nsanje district — a sign of its growing reputation as the leading handpump management and repair programme in Malawi. Community loans for spare parts, a growing database app, and a new SMS reporting system all mean that when a pump breaks down, communities can act fast.

New durable parts mean water points working for longer, securing a better future for communities, with lowered long-term financial pressure.

COMMUNITY HUB

Tilitonse: From Crumbling Walls to a Thriving Community Centre

One of the most uplifting stories of 2025 is the transformation of Tilitonse Community Centre, nestled just below Fisherman's Rest Lodge. Thanks to an extraordinary donation of over £35,000 from Pillar Church, the centre has been completely rebuilt — new foundations, a kitchen stove serving daily porridge to over 100 children, a football pitch, netball court, library, and bright, freshly painted classrooms.

But the real transformation is in the lives being changed. Anne can now read and write — and last year she voted for the first time using a pen instead of her thumbprint. Students from Horton Secondary School come to study and practise their English. Centre Manager Shereen now sits on the school's board of trustees and runs IT classes the school couldn't otherwise offer. Football tournaments have brought the community together and helped fund a community guard, giving everyone 24/7 access to the site and its clean water pump.

Pillar Church's support is coming to an end. We want to safeguard everything that's been built — for the children, adults, and young people who depend on it. Could you help us carry it forward by joining our new community of support for the Centre?

YOUNG PEOPLE

BRAVE: Building Respect, One School at a Time

Project BRAVE (Be Respectful and Value Everybody) continued to make a real difference in 2025, reaching 12 schools and 629 young people. Alongside life-altering education, every girl received a sanitary pack, underwear, a BRAVE bracelet, and a bar of soap. Every boy received underwear, a bracelet, and soap too, a small gesture at the end of the 12 weeks that carries a message of dignity and belonging.

Key figures:

"Through BRAVE, parents now understand their roles, and communication between them and the community has improved." — Deputy Headteacher, Mbame school

Headteachers are reporting better attendance, improved grades, and more mutual respect among students. The Safe House at Mirale Police Sub-Station, open for four and a half years — has also seen a continued reduction in cases of domestic violence and abuse. The relationship between the police, the community, and Fisherman's Rest continues to grow stronger.

2026 the project is piloting the BEYOND programme. A movement to better disseminate the BRAVE education into communities, beyond schools, for parents and community leaders to champion equality and safety for women and girls.

Together we’re crafting a balanced future for men and women, we all want to see.

ENVIRONMENT

Planting for the Future through Fisherman’s Rest Community Projects

Our conservation programme is gaining real momentum. In 2025, 194 farmers across 37 communities participated in FRCP-monitored nurseries, planting out an estimated 44,317 seedlings. Training workshops have reached 341 villagers and around 70 school students.

Key figures:

Financing for conservation is consistently growing — a hopeful sign for 2026 and beyond. Our ambitious goal is to see one million trees planted every year.

Our granular goal is to see households making respectable earnings from selling wood, honey and fruit sustainably. We want to see:

• University education paid for by proud parents, over hard-to-find sponsorships. 

• Three nutritious meals a day becoming affordable

• Electrification of houses and better personal waste management

… and so much more.

Imagine! No. You don’t have to, it’s already happening…

If you want to support these changes and help us impact more families, become a member of the ROOTED community.

AN URGENT NEED (NOW MET!)

The Good Food Project CAN Continue With Support

The Good Food Project is feeding around 1,990 children across six schools. It’s just secured funding for these schools for the foreseeable future. We are thrilled to be able to continue providing school breakfasts. 

This project isn't just about meals. It's about children being able to concentrate, stay in school, and thrive. Especially as Malawi’s economy shifts through the threat of devaluation.

The schools are relieved to continue enjoying school breakfasts every morning!

Want the full picture?

The Charity's full 2025 report covers every programme in detail — from school sponsorships and library builds to handpump innovation and the Safe House. If you want to keep in touch with everything going on in Malawi, it’s well worth a read.