Mission & History
The Ministry of Hope was established in April, 1999 by a young Malawian named Fletcher Matandika as a Christian response to the overwhelming number of orphans in Malawi.
When the ministry started in April, 1999, over 200 orphans were registered. To date, the number has grown to several thousand. As a nation, Malawi is faced with the great challenge of raising approximately 2 million orphans, most of them being AIDS orphans. We are primarily committed to making a difference in the lives of these children. However, we also work with widows, the disabled, and the destitute, by ministering to their physical and spiritual needs.
The ministry started under the Mkuza Presbyterian Church of the Nkhoma Synod in Malawi and also has partnerships with several other church denominations.
Malawi Staff
The day-to-day operations of Ministry of Hope are conducted by a staff of Malawians headquartered in the capital city, Lilongwe. There are six community-based centers near Lilongwe which are run by center directors who live in the villages they serve. The Ministry of Hope is fortunate to also have a wealth of short-term, international volunteers as well as volunteers from nearby African Bible College.
Adminstrative Staff
Daniel Moyo - Acting Director
with MoH since 2002
Master's Degree,
Leadership and Change Management
Bachelor's Degree,
Biblical Studies and Christian Education
Richard Lichapa - Programs & Activities
with MoH since 2019
Master's Degree, Management Studies
Bachelor's Degree, Energy Studies
Flora Kasakula - Finance & Administration
with MoH since 2019
Bachelor's Degree, Accounting
Center Development Facilitators
Dominic Gomani - Matapila
with MoH since 2013
Diplomas in Development Studies and Marketing
Felix Khonje - Khwamba
with MoH since 2005
Diploma in Theology
Gladys Nkuleza - Chimwangombe
with MoH since 2013
Diploma in Community Development
Innocent Richard Chaona - Katondo
with MoH since 2021
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology
Jimmy Kuthyola - Selengo
with MoH since 2003
Malawi School Certificate of Education
Joseph Mphatso Pitross Malumbira - Mponera
with MoH since 2007
Bachelor's Degree, Ministry
Diploma in Theology
Program Staff
Catherine Kapondo Thom -
Crisis Nursery and Mobile Medical Clinic Manager
with MoH since 2012
Nursing and Midwifery Technician
Board of Directors
A Malawian board of directors and a U.S. board of directors provides oversight and support. Board members come from a variety of business, educational and non-profit positions and have a strong commitment to the ministry’s Christian mission. Members of both boards serve as volunteers to assist in issues related to management, governance, fund raising and volunteer programs. The individual boards have varying meeting schedules but both meet quarterly at a minimum and together via Zoom at an annual board meeting.
U.S. Board
Rex Hoffman - Chairman of the Board
Vice President, Wells Fargo, Asheville, NC
Member - Christ Community Church Montreat, NC
Janet Wells - Development
Former Financial Executive with the LA Times and former Executive Director of the LA Children's Chorus
Member - San Marino Community Church San Marino, CA
Bill Grayson - Treasurer, Finance
Retired business owner and former CPA
Member - St. Mark Presbyterian Church Dallas, TX
Patricia Johnson - Secretary
Retired child health professional
Member - Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church Severna Park, MD
Carmel Courtright - Volunteers
Operations Manager
Member - Valley Presbyterian Church Paradise Valley, AZ
Van Kornegay - Communications
Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Univ. of S.C.
Member - Downtown Church (PCUSA)
Columbia, SC
Marilyn Manning - Board Development
Reverend Doctor
Member - San Marino Community Church San Marino, CA
Elizabeth Daley
RN, CCRN - Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Member - Calvary Presbyterian Church South Pasadena, CA
James M. Skidmore
CPA with James M. Skidmore, Jr CPA, PA
Member - Montreat Presbyterian Church Montreat, NC
Mary Reagan
Registered Nurse
Member - St. Patrick's Catholic Community Scottsdale, AZ
Scott Rodehaver
Civil Engineer, Wallace Engineering Tulsa, OK
Member - First Presbyterian Church
Tulsa, OK
Glenn Taylor
Retired Chemical Engineer
Member - Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church Liberty Corner, NJ
Helen Zimba
Certified Non-Profit Leader
Member - Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Dallas, TX
Karen Bennett
Educator, 30+ years experience
Member - Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Severna Park, MD
Dave Frey
Retired Portfolio Manager, Global Business Head, and Investment Banker
Member - Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church Liberty Corner, NJ
Donna Kaminski
DO, MPH
Malawi Board
Justice Rizine Robert Mzikamanda
Chairperson of Board
Judge at the Supreme Court of Malawi
Mr. Goodwell Ndiwo-Banda
Vice Chairperson of Board, Member of Programs Committee
Educator and Agriculturalist
Masters Degrees in Education and Project Management
Mrs. Grace Kamba
Director and Chairperson of Programs Committee
Master's Degree - Public Health
Background in Nursing, Health and Nutrition, and Nursing Education
Mr. Tonda Chinangwa
Director and Member of Governance and Appointments Committee
Attorney, Head of Legal Affairs and Company Secretary at JTI Leaf Malawi
Mr. Samuel Chipanila
Director and Member of Governance and Appointments Committee
Human Resources Manager, Catholic Relief Services
Master's Degree in Human Resources Management
Background in Education and Human Resources Development
Mr. George Willow
Director and Chairperson Audit and Finance Committee
Head of Administration at German Development Corporation
Master's Degree in Business Administration
Background in Finance and Accounting
Mr. Jallison Chaguluka
Director and Chairperson of the Governance and Appointments Committee
Currently doing consultancy work on Human Resources Management
Trained as Secondary School Teacher, Majored in Human Resources Management
Henry Makowa
Director and Member of Audit and Finance Committee
Currently working with Nkhoma University
Master's Degree in Business Administration
Background in Finance and Accounting
Mr. Overton Toroma
Director and Member of Programs Committee
Session Clerk for Msambira CCAP
Trained as Secondary School Teacher
Background in Education
Rev. Simmy Bhivi
Mrs. Mwawi Lepind
Ex-Officio Members:
Rev. Fletcher Matandika
Founder of MoH and Joy to the World Ministry
Worked as a Pastor in Canada for 10 years