Ellina Malima Mumba, 31, is one of the country’s remarkable social entrepreneurs who uses the power of football to promote gender equity and youth empowerment.
The Lilongwe-based social entrepreneur believes girls are capable of realising their potential and achieving more in life if they can be given access to the right opportunities, at the right time and through the right channels.
This belief has guided her initiative, Kick Start Girls, which focuses on creating pathways for girls to thrive in life through football and education.
Ellina is currently implementing the project in Lilongwe’s outskirtss of Mtsiliza and Banje.
“Kick Start Girls is a programme which uses sport as a tool to build confidence, teamwork and leadership, while also integrating education to expand future opportunities for girls.
“To encourage active participation, we establish girls’ teams and provide them with football equipment such as balls, bibs, cones, whistles, kits, learning materials such as exercise books and pens. The programme also provides sanitary pads for girls to ensure they stay hygienic and motivated in school,” she said.
Apart from tournaments, the Kick Start Girls project also entails academic activities to inspire girls to remain in school.
“Beyond the tournaments and sporting resources, we also conduct motivational talks that emphasize the importance of education. In essence, we combine football and education, highlighting how this fusion can lead to a brighter future — whether through pursuing professional opportunities in football or related fields, or having education as a strong foundation in case of challenges such as injuries,” said Ellina.
She added the project exposes girls to other football related careers such as coaching and management.
The primary beneficiaries of Kick Start Girls project are girls of different ages who are passionate about football and eager to learn, grow and embrace their talents.
“Our primary focus is on adolescent girls who do not only love sports, but also see football as a pathway to building their confidence, discipline, and leadership skills. By engaging them in both football and education, we create opportunities for them to thrive academically and athletically, while also preparing them for future careers,” Ellina said.
Kick Start Girls project has benefitted over 1 000 girls who have gained football skills and remained in school while improving on their academic performance.
Ellina has worked as programme coordinator for Ascent Soccer, where she implemented similar empowerment projects in Mangochi and Nkhotakota districts.
This experience motivated her start Kick Start Girls with the goal of unlocking girls’ potential and creating lasting impact.
She started her initiative in 2023 after noting a gender gap in Malawi’s sports sector.
“My source of inspiration has always been a need to create equal opportunities for girls by challenging societal norms and demonstrate that girls can excel in football just like boys.
“I was also inspired by the success stories of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, whose achievements through football show an incredible potential that exists when girls embrace their talents and given the right support. Their journey motivated me to believe that more girls in Malawi can reach similar heights if provided with the right opportunities and support at the right time,” she said.
Ellina comes from Thomas Mhone Village in Elangeni, Mzimba District.
But she was born and raised in Blantyre. Later, she relocated to Lilongwe for work.
She said her journey across the country’s ethnic regions has shaped her into an adaptable and resilient person who is able to connect with people of diverse backgrounds.
Ellina said sports has potential to transform the lives of girls and boys by creating employment and the right mindset to break barriers.
“Football has power to promote social integration, encourage active lifestyle and serve as a tool for teaching life skills that help adolescents and the youth overcome challenges.
“It also builds their confidence, creating leadership opportunities, especially for marginalised youth who often lack access to safe spaces and resources. It is not just about play; it is a tool for empowerment, gender equality and community development,” she said.
The vision driving Ellina’s initiative is to create safe and inclusive spaces where girls can thrive and build leadership acumen to excel both locally and internationally.
“Through football, I want to inspire girls to pursue their dreams, transforming the game into a pathway for equality, leadership and global success. I believe this is in line with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5 which advocate for girls education and equality, respectively,” she said.
Growing up, Ellina experienced both stability and hardship which shaped her into the person she is today.
“In my early years, my family was comfortable and I even attended a private school. However, when I was in Form Two, my father lost his job and life changed dramatically overnight. From that moment on, I struggled with school fees throughout my secondary and university education.
“Thankfully, during secondary school, a some well-wishers—my mother’s friends from church—stepped in to support me during those difficult times. To supplement this help, I also found creative ways to sustain myself at university such as working as an ditector of ceremony at school events,” she recalled.
Ellina added that she struggled with
low self-esteem which made her lose several opportunities while growing up.
She attended Phwezi Girls Secondary School, where she successfully completed her Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations.
She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science (Human Rights) from Livingstonia University.
Ellina also obtained a diploma in menstrual, sexual and reproductive health from Global Change Makers School.
She also has a safeguarding certificate (Fifa online), focusing on child protection and safe practices.
Ellina has a women’s club development and administration certificate from Council of Southern Africa Football Associations, in collaboration with Confédération Africaine de Football.
She also received a capacity building for football administrators certificate from Fifa, in collaboration with the Football Association of Malawi.
Apart from managing her initiative, Ellina is also Women and Health Association co-founder, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness about cervical and breast cancer.
She also serves as Lilongwe women’s football district committee general secretary.
“At the Women and Health Association, through community and school-based campaigns, we encourage individuals to seek hospital screenings and emphasize the importance of early detection. Our initiatives also integrate sexual and reproductive health education, ensuring that communities are empowered with knowledge to make informed health decisions,” she said.
Beyond her formal roles, Ellina is passionate about volunteering with She Rises and Light Her Path.
In this work, they inspire and motivate girls through career talks and providing essential resources such as writing materials and sanitary pads to support their education and wellbeing.
Her advice to girls: “Believe in yourself and abilities. When you do, you gain confidence to make bold decisions and take meaningful actions.”
