Her hands, worn from years of selfless labour, cradle the frail fingers of an elderly woman, as she lis-tens intently to tales of struggle and resilience.
This is a moment that defines the very essence of Rose Momba, 33, a woman driven by an unwavering passion to uplift the lives of the vulnerable.
With a heart that beats for the marginalised, she has dedicated her life to revamping the lives of those whom society often overlooks.
From rural villages to urban slums, her charity work has been a beacon of hope, empowering women, children and the elderly to break free from the shackles of poverty and despair.
As she looks into the eyes of those she serves, Rose sees not just faces, but stories of strength, courage and unyielding human spirit.
This selfless spirit to serve others drove her to establish an organisation in 2014 called Isla Foundation, a Spanish word which translates to devoted to God.
Isla has transformed the lives of over 5 000 people through education, community-based care and eco-nomic empowerment programmes.
It started as Tigawane community-based organisation, but gained momentum in 2022 when communi-ty engagement grew.
“After quitting my previous position at a charity organisation, I thought of starting my own to meet the needs of people around my area,” she said.
Rose’s passion for helping those in need is deeply personal, driven by her own experiences of struggle and loss.
Growing up in a low-income household, she witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of poverty and inequality.
But it was the loss of her close relative to a treatable illness, due to lack of access to healthcare that ig-nited a fire within her to create change.
Today, Rose’s charity work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to empowering marginalised communities.
She spends countless hours providing food, shelter, education to those in need and advocating for poli-cies that address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
With every life she touches, Rose is reminded about the transformative power of compassion and the boundless potential of the human spirit.
When cyclone Freddy hit in 2023, Isla Foundation extended its reach to affected areas.
“During that difficult period, people lost their loved ones and belongings. We helped with basic needs,” she said.
Rose also created a shelter for those affected by the devastating floods where she cared for them until they could stand on their own again.
Chimangeni Banda, a beneficiary who spent weeks at this shelter, could not be more grateful.
“I lost my home and everything in it. Isla fed us, provided for our needs for weeks before we could move to a safer place and gave us starter packs,” he said.
Banda’s testimonial is what pushes Rose to do more for her community.
Her charity work pushed her to construct an early childhood education centre in Machinjiri Township where her bigger dream was conceived.
Group village head Chingongwe of Traditional Authority Machinjiri nods at the endless support the foundation provides to the community.
“At first, our children did not attend essential classes at the beginning of their lives. This school has en-abled them to attend nursery school which help with high performance in primary school,” he said.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Rose’s unwavering passion and resilience has earned her a repu-tation as a champion of social change in her community.
“The biggest hiccup is financial stress as hundreds of beneficiaries look up to me to bail them out. To mitigate this, I need a solid financial muscle,” she said.
Rose’s biggest dream is to expand the foundation to all regions in Malawi since they only operate from the Southern Region.
With two bachelors in Human Resources Management and Strategic Management and a masters in Human Resources management on the way, she refused to stay in a cozy office with flipping electrical fan, opting for the field where people’s problems are mostly appreciated and solved.
The mother of two and a wife recalls that despite her greatest success in helping others, her biggest inspiration comes from her childhood.
With a strong faith and compassion, Rose continues to inspire others with her remarkable story of selflessness and devotion to serving humanity.
In a life full of social injustice and cruelty, Rose chose kindness and love by being part of the solution with a quote from Les Brown that keeps her going: “life has no limitations, except the ones you make”.
