Othakarhaka’s Bricks of Hope project comes to rescue of homeless family of a child living with a cerebral palsy health condition

* His mother was abandoned by his father and left her with four children, the youngest the one with the cerebral palsy health condition

* Construction of her new home is now underway, which will not only offer shelter but also give the child and his family a secure environment

By Duncan Mlanjira

While Othakarhaka Foundation is renowned for its notable interventions in education, girls empowerment, healthcare services, ending child marriages, sustainable agriculture & agroforestry practices, the Mulanje-based charity’s housing project is carried out with the same vigour.

The ‘Bricks of Hope’ housing project has reached out to many vulnerable families that was initiated after the Foundation intervened to assist some homeless people due to cyclones.

The project became part of Othakarhaka’s mission and was incorporated and commissioned as the  ‘Bricks of Hope’ — whose latest beneficiary is the family of a little child living with a cerebral palsy health condition.

In a post on its official communication platforms on Facebook and LinkedIn, Othakarhaka reports that a 54-year-old single mother, Ales, is raising four children on her own, whose youngest son developed cerebral palsy, a health condition that left him unable to walk, sit, or speak.

“Over the years, she has faced many hardships, including being abandoned by her husband, who married another woman,” reports the Foundation.

It adds that the father left the family shortly after the youngest child developed the cerebral palsy and for three years, the single mother “struggled without support from her husband or close relatives”.

“With nowhere else to turn, she returned to her home in Manjomo Village, where kind community members offered her temporary shelter.

“Recently, however, she received news that the owner of the house would soon be returning and needed the property back. Faced with the possibility of homelessness, Ales found herself worrying about where she and her children would go next.

“After assessing her situation and considering the welfare of her children, the Bricks of Hope Housing Project selected Ales as a beneficiary.

“Construction of her new home is now underway. This home will not only offer shelter but also give Ales and her children a secure environment where they can live comfortably and look forward to better days ahead.”

In collaboration with its development partners — locally and international, mostly from the USA, including I Demand Access and University of Michigan Othakarhaka has built and handed over several houses before and most recently was in the village of Mwanamvula.

The beneficiary was Mai Mary Gawani and at the official handover of the household, complete with solar power lighting, the whole Mwanamvula community gathered together to celebrate with her.

“When the Bricks of Hope Housing Project started, we never imagined it would grow into what it is today, and we only have our partner, IDI Africa, to thank for believing in the vision and making it possible.”

In February 2026, Othakarhaka and Zuwa Energy forged a partnership when the leading solar asset consumer financing company in Malawi invested solar-powered lights to be installed in the Brick of Hope completed households.

“Most of the villages where we are building these homes do not have electricity, so this support is truly important. This means families will be able to have light at home at night, support children with studying, and make everyday life easier,” the charity reported in February.

“It is always encouraging to see developments like this reaching some of the deepest rural communities, where access to electricity remains a challenge for many families.

Construction of the houses is completed in the shortest period courtesy of Othakarhaka’s community volunteers, “who give their time both on-site and across our projects. Because of their commitment, we are able to build these houses at a lower cost than usual.”

“On behalf of the communities we serve, we say thank you to IDI Africa for partnering with us on this project, through which we are reaching and impacting real lives.

As part of the handover, trees are also planted around the home through Othakarhaka’s tree planting initiative, helping create a healthier environment for the family and the community.

Each case the beneficiary to be assisted is first carefully assessed by the  Bricks of Hope housing project committee taking into account the difficult conditions they are living in.

“Such structured discussions are critical for aligning resources with the most pressing needs and ensuring the effectiveness of development interventions.

“You too can be part of stories like this. Support the Bricks of Hope Project and help more families rebuild,” reports Othakarhaka in inviting potential well-wishers, which recently was  recognised by Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The partnership will focus on promoting digital skills, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and sustainable development in Mulanje, Phalombe, Thyolo and surrounding communities.