RELON’S FOUNDER STORY
Amplifying Hope: How RELON Malawi Empowers Refugee-Led Change
In the heart of Malawi’s Dzaleka Refugee Camp, a quiet revolution is unfolding. It is not led by outsiders or large institutions, but by refugees themselves—ordinary individuals who have chosen to become extraordinary agents of change. At the center of this movement stands RELON Malawi, a beacon of collaboration and empowerment founded in 2020 with a bold vision: to unite refugee-led organizations (RLOs), amplify their voices, and channel resources directly to those who know their community’s needs best.
The Problem: Unheard Stories, Untapped Potential
When refugees flee conflict or persecution, they carry more than just survival instincts—they bring resilience, skills, and a deep understanding of their community’s challenges. Yet, for years, refugee-led organizations in Malawi struggled to access funding or recognition. Donors couldn’t hear their impact stories, see their results, or trust their narratives. Without support, these grassroots groups—already stretched thin by scarcity—faced an uphill battle to sustain their work.
The RELON Malawi Solution: Uniting Voices, Building Futures
RELON Malawi emerged to bridge this gap. Founded by a visionary leader Remy Gakwaya who saw the untapped potential of RLOs, the network began by bringing organizations together. Its mission was simple yet transformative: empower refugees to lead their own solutions.
Since 2020, RELON Malawi has:
- Unified over 100 RLOs, creating a collective force for advocacy and collaboration.
- Directly funded 17 organizations and provided capacity-building support to 77 others.
Equipped leaders with training in financial management, project design, and storytelling, ensuring they can manage resources effectively and share their impact with confidence.
“They are already making a difference—we simply amplify their stories,” explains the founder. “Our role is to ensure the world sees their courage and channels support to those who deserve it most”
Why Refugee-Led Organizations Matter
RLOs are not just service providers—they are lifelines. Run by refugees, for refugees, they understand the nuances of displacement, trauma, and cultural barriers. They know which families need emergency food aid, which youth crave educational opportunities, and which women seek safe spaces to rebuild their lives.
In Dzaleka Camp, these organizations plant community gardens, run literacy programs, and offer psychosocial support—all with minimal resources. RELON Malawi steps in to strengthen their efforts, providing tools to scale their impact. “They are the catalysts of hope” the founder emphasizes. “With a little support, their passion becomes unstoppable.”
A Call to Action: Invest in Community-Driven Change
RELON Malawi’s work proves that the most sustainable solutions are rooted in community. When donors fund RLOs, they invest in trust, cultural fluency, and long-term resilience. The results speak for themselves:
- A women’s cooperative transforms donated seeds into a thriving farm, feeding hundreds.
- Youth leaders use art and sports to heal trauma and rebuild dreams.
- Educators create makeshift schools, ensuring children don’t lose their futures to displacement.
“The best day to start is today,” urges the founder. Whether donating directly to an RLO or partnering with RELON Malawi to identify vetted organizations, every contribution fuels this cycle of hope.
Join the Movement
RELON Malawi invites the world to see refugees not as victims, but as leaders. By supporting RLOs, we honor their agency and courage. Here’s how you can help:
- Donate: Fund an RLO directly or trust RELON Malawi to allocate resources where they’re needed most.
- Amplify: Share their stories. Follow RELON Malawi’s updates and help break the silence around refugee-led innovation.
- Believe: Recognize that refugees are not waiting for saviors—they are building solutions.
In the words of RELON Malawi’s founder: “They have decided to be the solution. Let’s stand with them.”
Together, we can ensure that hope in Dzaleka Refugee Camp isn’t just sustained—it’s magnified. Visit RELON Malawi today, and become part of a story where every act of support becomes a chapter of transformation.