Rebecca Hami — Angathe Ministry founder youth pillar representative

The desire to help her fellow young women live a life of purpose and fulfilment— despite the many challenges they might come across in life— saw Rebecca Hami establish the Angathe Ministry in 2018.

This is a Christian, charitable organisation that mentors the youth and community leaders.

And in 2019, the initiative led the International Women’s Day commemorations in the country.

“This was a big event which was funded by One Million Strong. And through it, we mentored and empowered more than 300 women and church leaders that gathered. This was such a great milestone for us as we were just young people in ministry. We continued with prison outreach events, hospital visits and different leadership workshops and seminars,” she said.

In 2020, they conducted one of their biggest mentorship and empowerment seminars for community leaders, in partnership with the Jesus Salvation Evangelistic Mission in Mitundu, Lilongwe.

“We were amazed to serve more than 250 chiefs in Mitundu who were led by Traditional Authority Chiseka. Our leaders were empowered and mentored in good servant leadership,” says the communications specialist.

Their recognitions do not end there. In 2021, Angathe was recognised by the Global Youth Mobilisation for its contribution towards community development and advocacy initiatives.

And that same year, they received their first grant which was used to empower women and youth in entrepreneurship.

The African Bible College mass media and communications graduate highlights that for her, Angathe is a calling and it was founded not to gain, but to give back to the community.

She said the main funding for the ministry comes from well-wishers.

“We are inspired by the women in the Bible who funded the Gospel of Jesus out of their own means and so far, we have seen God providing for us in so many ways. We are calling for more people to join hands with us in bringing this change that we all aspire for our nation,” she said.

Outside of this, Hami was nominated as the National Integrity Committee (NIC) Youth Pillar Representative by young people in 2021.

Her main role is to engage young people across the country in the fight against corruption.

She encourages the youth to fight corruption in every way as their future depended on how well they fight this monster.

The third born in a family of four children comes from Embombeni in Mzimba. She went to Likuni Girls Secondary School.

She is currently pursuing her master’s in business administration

After writing her Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations— after all her hopes of making it to the University of Malawi— she did not. God had his own plans.

“I remember this being one of my lowest moments as a young girl when I did not make it. I felt like I had disappointed my parents and frustrated people’s expectations, but little did I know that God was preparing me for something bigger and better.

“I was encouraged by the verse, Jeremiah 29:11: ‘I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to give you hope and a future.’ I trusted God for a brighter future. Since then, my only hope has been in God!” she said.

Today, she owes it all to her parents for believing in her and paying for her school fees despite how difficult it was for them.

Upon graduating, she worked as a radio presenter for a few years and then transitioned to working with non-governmental organisations.

She is currently employed by Link Education Malawi as programmes assistant. Much of her work revolves around communication and administration.

But just like any other person, she has faced many challenges such as being rejected and despised by others.

However, she remains positive on the belief that people judge others from what they see while God sees beyond the physical eyes.

Additionally, as a young leader, she has also experienced competition in the youth circles.

She notes that often when some youths do well, others fail to appreciate and learn from them.

Instead, they try to fight them which in the end delays one’s own progress.

As such, she advises the youth to appreciate and be humble enough to learn from those that are currently doing well, arguing that the world has enough space for everyone to shine.

Aside from that, in life we all have role models. For her, the first one on the list is her mother who she said has inspired her in so many ways to be brave and believe in herself as she walks through the journey of life.

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director Martha Chizuma is another one of her role models.

Rebecca admires her boldness and courageous decisions in fighting for a corrupt-free Malawi.

The young leader is also inspired by the United States of America’s former first lady, Michelle Obama, for her leadership style and confidence.

“I am currently reading one of her books titled Becoming. Nonetheless, I have also been mentored by many other women, to whom I say, thank You! As iron sharpens iron, so does a woman sharpens another woman,” she said.

Rebecca likes baking, travelling and listening to good music.

Her advice to young women is to see beyond their physical eyes.

She argues that everyone can become all they aspire if they can see it and work hard for it.

Rebecca further reminds parents and the society at large, that every individual has his/her own path to destiny.

She observed that it is important to encourage children to work hard, pray for them and not put too much pressure on them because they also have a different mission to fulfill on earth.