Comedian Chaponda leads UK fundraising initiative

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Malawian-born comedian Daliso Chaponda had the crowd in hysterics as he recounted memories from his time in Malawi during a fundraising show.

The artist staged two sets at Hutton Hall to raise money for Friends of Mulanje Orphans, under an initiative which was in partnership with Mary and Keith Woodworth.

The comedy icon left everyone at Hutton Village Hall in high spirits, as he helped the Preston-based charity accumulate a whopping £2 000 for disadvantaged Malawian children.

Back in 2000, touched by the harrowing stories that she had heard from her friends and relatives in Mulanje District, Mary and Keith decided to visit the area, where they witnessed first-hand the desperate circumstances faced by the locals.

Although coming to terms with the harsh reality of life in the poverty-stricken area was difficult, it sparked a positive reaction, as the couple made the call to start what is now referred to as, ‘Fomo’.

Twenty-three years on, the charity has gone from strength to strength.

Trustee, Emma Whitlock, explained: “We run daycare centres for children to come and visit every day for a hot meal, sometimes the only meal they’ll have. We provide health care through our clinic and essentials like clothes, toiletries and school equipment. We actually run a secondary school over in Malawi.”

On this occasion, Mary reached out to Daliso’s father, George, who once served as a Cabinet minister in the Malawi government, and asked if his talented son would be willing to do a gig.

Motivated by a chicken and potato meal that Mary cooked for him, the 43-year-old comedian took to the stage and blew everyone away. But while he loves to make people laugh, his passions expand far beyond just comedy.

Speaking exclusively to Rock FM, he said: “My father’s family is from Mulanje. I do charity gigs when I can, but this one I had to do as it’s been a very tough year for Malawian orphans because there were a bunch of floods two months ago.”

The comedian used the platform to share bits about his childhood background and revealed intimate details about his early life.

“When I was born, my parents were refugees, so I grew up all over the place, in 14 different countries. I was only in Malawi from when I was 11 years old for around two years.

“But it was always my home. I always had a connection to it, even though my radio show is called ‘Citizen of Nowhere’. Mulanje is very important to my parents, so that’s my connection to it,” he said.

“I think that comedy is very good for fundraising because you don’t need to drag people to come to the show. It was a small venue, but it was totally packed, and everyone was fully engaged.”

Chaponda said being involved in the initiative was a pleasure because raising funds for Friends of Mulanje Orphans is a tremendous cause.

Emma was delighted to welcome Chaponda to the stage.

She beamed: “It was absolutely wonderful, we’re thrilled that he came.”

Emma added: “Tonight’s fundraiser was all about raising money for a container that we’re sending to Malawi. We do this most years; we fill it with goods that people have generously donated to the charity, things like equipment for school, textbooks, lab equipment, tables, chairs, football kits and all sorts of essential things that are difficult to get in Malawi. We send them in a big 40ft container. Unfortunately, the price of those keeps going up.