World-class community empowerment since 2007
OUr impact
Empowering the next generation of leaders
Malaika is a grassroots non-profit impacting thousands of lives and transforming an entire community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through enhanced access to education, water, and healthcare.
We’re teaching girls to question, engage, and evolve into progressive leaders who can positively affect their immediate environment. And we’re giving adults a space to reinvent and re-imagine their lives, too.
Our mission
Malaika’s mission is to empower girls to reach their full potential through education and local community transformation. We do this by providing clean water, vocational, educational, agricultural, athletic and health programs.
Our vision
We dream of a future where all girls can access quality education and reach their full potential in all aspects of life. A future where they are flourishing as individuals, leaders and change-makers within their communities.
Our impact in numbers
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![Founder of Malaika with local children around a well.]()
46,000
people a year receive clean water through 31 wells
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![Cute, young schoolgirl from Congo smiling and sitting at a table.]()
430
students currently enrolled at the Malaika School
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![Local youngsters playing soccer on a field.]()
5,200
people access education and sports at our community center
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![Adult man with local youngsters looking at vegetation.]()
191,840
meals provided to students and school staff from our farm
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![A young scholar with a reflecting vest on explaining something that's been written on a school board.]()
936
community members benefitting from our vocational programs
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![Young scholar with a microscope.]()
99.3%
our school’s retention rate, surpassing the national average of 53%
Where it all began: the story of kalebuka
Kalebuka is a village in southeastern DRC, home to around 35,000 people. Just outside Lubumbashi, the community is known for its strong ties, mutual support, and deep-rooted kindness. Most families rely on farming or brick-making to survive, often living on less than $1.50 a day.
Despite this spirit of resilience, life remains challenging. Access to essentials like clean water, electricity, healthcare, and education is limited. Before Malaika began its work in Kalebuka, education was a luxury, leaving many children, especially girls, without opportunities.
19 years of community-driven impact
When Malaika was founded 19 years ago, it was clear that education alone wouldn’t be enough to transform Kalebuka.
True, lasting change required a broader approach. One that addressed health, clean water, and community empowerment alongside schooling.
From day one, Malaika has worked hand-in-hand with families, leaders, and local stakeholders to build programs that reflect the needs of the community. Together, we’ve created a model that supports young girls through quality education, health and wellness services, and access to safe water and sanitation, laying the foundation for long-term change.
What began as a dream is now a thriving ecosystem of opportunity.
