Printing is one of the exciting careers often controlled by big companies in Malawi.
But this career becomes more exciting when managed by a young woman such as Rumbani Mponela.
At 30, Rumbani, who is married to Humphreys Mponela, is not only one of the directors at Fivestar Printing Solutions, but also a philanthropist churning out kindness and love in the hearts of many vulnerable children and women.
She runs a charity foundation called Family Wellbeing (Fawepo) in Lilongwe.
Among other notable initiatives at Fawepo, Rumbani runs a school starter pack, which empowers vulnerable pupils with learning materials.
She said as a mother of two, it pains her to see many vulnerable people, especially children, dropping out of school due to lack of basic needs.
“I wouldn’t wish my child to fail going to school because of a pencil, an exercise book or learning on an empty
stomach. It’s not that we have a lot, no, but the little we have we share.
“Just imagine, someone’s child failing to pay K2 000 for school fund and yet so many people have that K2 000 to spare on airtime or data bundle?”
Rumbani noted that big things start small and there are many people who think K2 000 can’t do anything, yet it can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
She said it was this philosophy that ignited thoughts of this foundation to help the needy and become a passage for those who want to reach out and help.
Rumbani said the time their family started their printing company, priotised corporate social responsibility.
“One of our core values was giving back to the community; hence, the establishment of Fawepo to connect easily with the communities.
“We named our foundation Family Wellbeing because we focus on a
number of areas to uplift people’s lives,” she said.
Rumbani said they introduced the school starter pack initiative after observing many learners dropping out of school due to lack of learning materials.
Fawepo also supports a programme for mothers in which they visit health centres and donate essentials to needy pregnant women.
“Pregnant women from remote areas lack several things in hospital as they eagerly wait for their bundles of joy to arrive. So, we donate to them essential materials such as food stuffs and baby clothes,” she said.
Over 100 people, including 20 learners from Nguluwe Local Education Authority, have benefited from the charity activities of Fivestar Printing Solutions and Fawepo.
They also have five learners on full scholarship, but the figures are likely to increase in future as the foundation plans to reach over 1 000 beneficiaries by December this year and at least 2 000 by December 2026.
Currently, all charity activities are sponsored by Fivestar Printing Solutions and other companies run by their family.
“We have other businesses such as Fivestar Printing Solutions, CHM Investments,
Fivestar Construction and Sparkle Chemicals that support our work.
“But since the foundation is growing, we have opened doors for other well-wishers and sponsors to partner with us to reach more vulnerable people. Our vision is to reach out to more people from Nsanje to Chitipa by 2030,” she said.
Rumbani doubles as director and accountant at their family businesses.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
She attended St. Denis Primary School in Rumphi District and Phwezi Secondary School before enrolling for a degree at the Malawi Adventist University in Ntcheu.
Rumbani challenges girls and women to dream big because everything is possible.
“Just like men, girls and women can achieve anything if they work hard for it. My desire is to see more women take up leadership roles that can be translated into meaningful economic empowerment,” she said.
She added that women’s economic empowerment is a key ingredient of transformation
