* It’s more that a hashtag — it’s a direct link to the Foundation’s major development partner, US-based nonprofit organisation
* Founded in 2019 by a group of passionate students from the University of Michigan — an inspiration that began in Malawi through Othakarhaka
By Duncan Mlanjira
Every so often, when Othakarhaka Foundation posts on its social media platforms of Facebook or LinkedIn, sharing stories about girls’ education, it signs off with the tag; I Demand Access.
On all its posts, Othakarhaka tags I Demand Access
This is not just a swagger hashtag — it means much more; it’s a direct link to Othakarhaka’s major development partner, US-based nonprofit organisation named ‘I Demand Access’.
And the name was crafted creatively to sync its acronym, IDA, to Othakarhaka founder’s name, Ida Puliwa Mwango.
This has been explained by Othakarhaka — Lhomwe for ‘Passing on the Kindness’ — that I Demand Access (IDA) “is a US-based nonprofit founded in 2019 by a group of passionate students from the University of Michigan-Stephen M. Ross School of Business, after they travelled to Malawi alongside Gloria DeCoste and Dr. Don Thomas for a MAP consulting project with Othakarhaka Foundation”.
“During their time working with our Founder, Ida Puliwa Mwango, and the Othakarhaka (OTK) team, they witnessed firsthand the impact of our work in transforming communities and breaking barriers to girls’ education.
“Inspired by our vision, they established IDA, drawing its name from Ida’s own name, to continue supporting the mission of ensuring that every girl has access to the opportunities she deserves.
“Over the years, IDA has remained a dedicated partner in our work, helping open doors to education, opportunity, and brighter futures for hundreds of girls.
“Beyond supporting our programmes, they have also invested in strengthening our organisation through capacity building, enabling us to expand our work and impact to more communities.
“To the entire I Demand Access family, thank you for believing in our vision and walking this journey with us. Your support continues to transform lives and create opportunities that will impact generations to come.”
Indeed, when you click on the tag; I Demand Access, it takes you direct to the nonprofit organisation, whose Vision is; ‘Smashing inequalities for girls and women in Malawi’, and the Mission; ‘To fuel Malawian girls to transform their world and inspire a limitless future’.
In inspiring potential donors for support towards the Girl Child’s academic dream aspiration, IDA describes Othakarhaka as a ‘self-sustaining model’, which “has grown from just 16 volunteers to over 6,000 — all working together to uplift their communities.
“The heart of their work is a powerful cycle: everyone who receives help is encouraged to give back,” reports I Demand Access, in reference to the meaning of Othakarhaka — ‘Passing on the Kindness’.
Addressing its US audience and globally as potential donors to Othakarhaka’s Girl Child initiative, IDA enlightens that the education scholarships beneficiary girls “volunteer in the tree nursery or assist the elderly in their villages”.
“This volunteer-driven, ‘Pass on the Kindness’ model is one of the first of its kind among nonprofits — proving that empowerment grows stronger when shared.”
Medical equipment support through IDA
IDA highlights to potential donors that “it all began with a simple idea — ‘what if everyone, everywhere, had access to the opportunities they deserve?’
“In 2019, a group of passionate students from the University of Michigan traveled to Malawi to work on a consulting project with OTK, an NGO led by the extraordinary Ida Puliwa.
“Ida Puliwa was transforming lives by changing minds. She showed her community that a girl is never ‘just a girl’ and proved that empowering girls to access education could unlock brighter futures and uplift her entire village.
“From that moment, I Demand Access was born. We have been committed to finding and supporting community leaders who, like her, are fighting to break down barriers and empower the most vulnerable.
“We believe that access to education, healthcare, and basic rights is not just a hope — it’s a demand. And together, with your support, we can turn that demand into reality.”
IDA assures donors that their support goes towards:
* Girls empowerment — Every year, a group of volunteer educators offer girls empowering Arts camp that provides a platform for girls to participate in different activities such as poetry, dancing, soccer;
* Education — OTK promotes education through 4 key initiatives:
1. Sponsoring students with scholarships from primary school through university;
2. Empowering teen mothers through sewing and business training;
3. Providing laptops and Hotspots for computer lessons in rural schools;
4. Running a community library with study materials and school supplies
* Agriculture & agroforestry — OTK works to ensure every family has enough food to live while protecting the environment for future generations.
Through reforestation, sustainable farming, and tools like rocket stoves, OTK reduces deforestation, saves girls hours of walking for firewood, and empowers vulnerable farmers with the resources and training they need to grow their own food and build lasting self-sufficiency.
* Healthcare services — OTK brings free, life-changing healthcare to rural villages with a focus on keeping girls in school and families healthy.
They provide:
i. Menstrual hygiene education and reusable pad training to help girls stay in class;
ii. Family planning and sex education to prevent teen pregnancies;
iii. Cervical cancer screenings to save lives. Palliative care for patients with serious illnesses, easing the burden
* Ending child marriages — OTK rescues young girls from forced marriages and provides the holistic support they need to eventually return to school.
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IDA further states that its mission is to unlock education opportunities for girls, not just for Othakarhaka but in the “world’s poorest countries”.
“We believe that access to education is a fundamental right, and when girls are educated, entire communities thrive.
“Founded to break the barriers that keep girls out of school, IDA raises funds to provide scholarships, resources, and support, so girls not only attend school but have the opportunity to excel.
“Our work is rooted in the belief that every girl deserves the chance to dream, learn, and lead.
Othakarhaka’s Bricks of Hope Housing Project
“We are currently partnering with OTK in Malawi, where we support over 350 girls in elementary school with full scholarships, which cover tuition, uniforms, books, and essential supplies — removing the financial struggles that often force families to choose between survival and school.
IDA highlights that its partnership with Othakarhaka is about more than education, it’s about kindness. Inspired by OTK’s philosophy of ‘Passing on the Kindness’, we empower every girl we support to not only purse her own dreams but to lift others along the way.
“We believe education sparks a chain reaction of generosity, leadership, and equality that can transform generations.
Thus IDA stresses that in donors joining this nonprofit, they will together build “a future where every girl has access to education— because when we demand access, we demand a better world for all”.
On the International Day of Happiness, IDA posted: “If there’s one thing we can learn from rural communities in Malawi, it’s that happiness is not about having more, it’s about being hopeful, being grateful, and finding joy in what truly matters.
“Every time we look at the photos of our girls, there is one thing that always stands out: their smiles. Those smiles remind us that happiness is not about things — it’s a state of mind.
“And they remind us why we do what we do. Proud to stand beside those turning kindness into action.”
Another post said: “At I Demand Access, we couldn’t be prouder to support the incredible work of our partner, Othakarhaka Foundation, in Malawi.
“Their dedication to empowering girls, strengthening communities, and expanding access to healthcare reminds us why we do what we do.
“This year, Othakarhaka has taken remarkable steps, from opening free dental services for vulnerable families thanks to a volunteer who gave up her own dream to serve others, to forging partnerships that will help more students access higher education and create lasting change.
“Witnessing their impact renews our belief that kindness can build a brighter world, one act, one life, one community at a time.
“Through our campaign Healthy Kids, Bright Future, we’re committed to expanding access to healthcare for children and mothers in rural Malawi.”
The ‘Healthy Kids, Bright Future’ was launched this year as a campaign to raise US$20,000 to expand access to healthcare in rural Malawi through which a generous donor is matching all gifts up to US$10,000, doubling every contribution.
“Every donation is matched up to $10,000 and is tax-deductible, doubling the impact of your support,” says IDA, asking well-wishers to make their donation through; https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/healthy-kids-bright-future.
Puliwa being interviewed by MBC TV’s Philip Business recognising her as a role model for girls
Having grown up in a rural community where poverty and child marriage robbed many girls of their future, Othakarhaka founder, Ida Puliwa Mwango became the first girl from Nakhonyo Village to attend university.
In 2012, she founded Othakarhaka Foundation to break the barriers to girls’ education and ensure that every girl has the chance to learn, dream, and thrive.
Today, that vision is changing lives as hundreds of girls are being supported to return to school. Many are now studying at public universities, while others have graduated and are building successful careers.
From all these achievements, Othakarhaka has been recognised by Malawi University of Science and Technology )MUST) by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU), a partnership will focus on promoting digital skills, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and sustainable development in Mulanje, Phalombe, Thyolo and surrounding communities.
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