Two Teams
Near and Far, Together as One
1. Team Malawi:
100% Malawian owned & operated. Manages operations in Malawi.
2. Team USA:
Focuses on listening, prayer, fundraising, training, and support.
Malawi Leadership Team
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Davidson Chifungo
DIRECTOR
Davidson serves as the Country Director for Y-Malawi, bringing a profound personal calling and extensive leadership experience to the organization. Having grown up in poverty, Davidson is deeply driven to uplift the vulnerable children, girls, and women who are often marginalized in society. His mission is to make a tangible difference in their lives by living out the Gospel in both word and deed.An accomplished academic and minister, Davidson holds a PhD, MA, and BA in Practical Theology. His distinguished career includes serving as a missionary to impoverished communities in Mozambique, leading as a passionate pastor in the Presbyterian church, and equipping rural pastors through the Veritas Bible training program.
For Davidson, the most rewarding part of heading the Y-Malawi leadership team is watching local staff, volunteers, and field officers grow into impactful leaders. Whether he is hosting visiting teams from the USA in rural churches, serving alongside medical teams, or witnessing long term community transformation, Davidson's leadership is anchored in faith, capability, and deep empathy.
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Richard Kapanda
OPERATIONS
Richard provides strategic and operational leadership for organizational programs, helping ensure that Y-Malawi’s work remains aligned with its mission, goals, and long-term impact. He leads and coordinates planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation across programs focused on youth development, church networks, chiefs’ ministry, and initiatives serving children, women, and girls. He also helps strengthen partnerships with government agencies, community leaders, churches, and other stakeholders.
He was drawn to Y-Malawi by his passion for youth and children’s ministry and by the opportunity to provide holistic support to the most vulnerable. He is especially compelled by the way Y-Malawi brings together people from different faith backgrounds and nations to proclaim and demonstrate the love of Jesus through the Great Commission.Richard values making himself available for God to use in whatever capacity He chooses and is grateful for opportunities to use the skills and abilities God has entrusted to him in service of Y-Malawi’s vision and mission.
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Mthwalo Mafuleka
FINANCE
Mthwalo was drawn to Y-Malawi by its holistic approach to serving the most vulnerable, a mission that perfectly aligns with his personal passion and specialized skill set.With 20 years of hands-on experience, Mthwalo holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Auditing & Information Systems, alongside advanced diplomas and certificates in Financial Accounting. He has been instrumental in building Y-Malawi’s operational foundation from the ground up—establishing sound financial and administrative systems, setting up the local office, managing audits, and ensuring strict legal and governmental compliance. His expertise guarantees complete transparency and proper accountability for all of the organization's financial resources.
Mthwalo’s favorite part of serving on Y-Malawi's leadership team is the collaborative environment, where leaders can freely exchange valuable ideas and insights to advance the ministry's mission.
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Gilvat Nasan
NKHOTAKOTA DISTRICT MANAGER
Gilvat has dedicated over six years to transforming communities through Christlike love and humble service with Y-Malawi. Guided by a servant-leadership philosophy, Gilvat believes in leading by example, shepherding others with faithfulness, humility, and a profound devotion to God. Deeply committed to uplifting the disadvantaged and vulnerable, Gilvat highly values the collaborative spirit of Y-Malawi’s leadership team, finding daily inspiration and strength in working alongside experienced, Christ-centered peers. Gilvat holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies with Education, concentrating on English Language and Literature, as well as a Master of Divinity. -
Monica Chagwamnjira
MPHOMWA DISTRICT MANAGER
Monica is a professional teacher with advanced qualifications in Theology, Humanities, Religious Education, and Christian Education, enabling her to serve as a cultural anthropologist who brings integrity, love, and hope to vulnerable communities. She was drawn to Y-Malawi's mission of uniting people with each other and with God to foster love and unity. Monica's favorite part of her role is the practical impact of helping vulnerable women, girls, and children.
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Kasankha Kaunda
CHIMUTU DISTRICT MANAGER
Kasankha brings 20 years of rural community development experience, peer education training, and theological studies to Y-Malawi, with a rich background in advocating for vulnerable people and working with local churches. Kasankha was drawn to Y-Malawi's holistic approach, which provides daily personal refreshment while serving. Kasankha's favorite part of being on the team is bringing transformation, hope, and smiles to the community's most vulnerable individuals and seeing their devotion to Christ.
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Taonga Manda
NKHANGA DISTRICT MANAGER
Taonga was drawn to Y-Malawi because he has seen the ministry restore hope where there was none. As a coordinator, he is motivated daily by witnessing vulnerable lives transformed through Christ's love.
Bringing both professional training and a heart for ministry to his role, Taonga holds a bachelor's degree in Social Work and a diploma in Community Development. He has successfully led community outreach to vulnerable families, trained volunteers to mentor at-risk youth, and bridged physical aid with spiritual hope to create real, lasting transformation.
Taonga's favorite part of serving on the leadership team is heading the Village Savings and Loan (VSL) initiatives, children’s ministry, and Girls of Distinction programs. He loves collaborating with the leadership team to see firsthand how these specific programs turn vulnerability into dignity, faith, and leadership.
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Arnold Kambulire
COMMUNICATIONS
Arnold serves as Communications Manager for Y-Malawi, driven by a desire to share the transformational impact of God's work across Malawi. First inspired by Y-Malawi’s mission while studying in the U.S., Arnold brings a blend of theological depth and storytelling experience to his role. He holds a Bachelor’s in Theology and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the International Theological Seminary in California, alongside practical experience as a Student Chaplain and cross-cultural missions intern.
In his current role, Arnold captures field testimonies, produces social media content, writes blogs and weekly team devotions, and manages media archives to keep global partners meaningfully connected to the mission. What he values most about serving on Y-Malawi’s leadership team is the collaborative, Christ-centered culture, finding daily inspiration in working alongside a diverse group of leaders grounded in humility, mutual growth, and servant leadership.
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Sten Mponda
MEDICAL OFFICER
Sten was drawn to Y-Malawi by its holistic approach to ministry, which addresses the complete spectrum of human need. He is deeply compelled by an organizational mission that seamlessly bridges spiritual growth, through sharing the word of God, with vital physiological support, including the provision of healthcare, food, and secure shelter for the vulnerable.
Bringing critical medical expertise to the ministry, Sten holds a bachelor's degree in Nursing and Midwifery and possesses vast experience working in the healthcare field. Dedicated to continuous professional growth, he is currently pursuing advanced leadership training at one of Malawi's leading universities, a step that further enhances his ability to guide and expand Y-Malawi's medical outreach and community care initiatives.
Sten's favorite part of serving on Y-Malawi's leadership team is the organization's authentic culture of servant leadership. He values the collaborative environment where leaders function not as bosses, but as true colleagues who are empowered to express themselves fully and work together in their shared assignments.
USA Leadership Team
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Phillip Jemmitt
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
More than twenty years ago, a single trip to Malawi completely reshaped Phillip’s life and ignited the vision for what would become Y-Malawi. As a serial entrepreneur and CEO with over two decades of experience in business development and organizational leadership, he felt called to channel those foundational skills into a ministry model designed for long-term impact.Over his twenty-year involvement, serving as Board President and Y-Malawi’s first Executive Director, Phillip has focused on shifting away from traditional charity toward sustainable, indigenous-led transformation. He works hand-in-hand with local Malawian leaders to drive holistic development spiritually, educationally, and economically, empowering communities to thrive independently.
What began as a simple partnership has grown into a global family of deep, lasting friendships across two continents. For Phillip, the most rewarding part of this journey is seeing firsthand how God uses this connection to change lives on both sides of the ocean—deepening the faith of U.S. partner churches while watching Malawian communities flourish for His glory.
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Larry Hall
EXEXCUTIVE DIRECTOR
Larry Hall has been an integral part of Y-Malawi for over 11 years, helping lead the ministry expand into new, innovative ways to share the love of Jesus. Initially drawn to the organization through a long-term friend, Larry quickly fell in love with Malawi, its people, and the profound work being done there. His favorite aspect of leadership is seeing how God uniquely unites the diverse talents, skills, and passions of individuals from around the globe to accomplish His mission.With a rich professional background, Larry brings 33 years of high level experience leading organizations in both the healthcare and education industries, alongside 5 years of owning and operating a small business. He holds a degree in Theology from Liberty University and is the author of four books.
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Michael Nicolai
TREASURER
Mike Nicolai is a former founder and CEO who spent over two decades leading a high-performing, mission-driven organization before transitioning his focus to humanitarian work. Now serving as a Board Member and Treasurer for Y-Malawi, Mike leverages his expertise to drive sustainable change in the organizations culture, communications, operations, and financial stewardship to maximize field impact.He is drawn to Y-Malawi's self-sustaining, holistic approach and its commitment to empowering local leaders. Mike's favorite part of serving is seeing field reports of lives transformed…..whether a girl staying in school, a life saved through medical outreach, or a widow finding hope.
Mike Nicolai was drawn to Y-Malawi by its commitment to empowering local leaders to drive their own transformation through a holistic, self-sustaining approach. He is compelled by a ministry model that balances urgent needs, like clean water and medical outreach, with generational solutions like vocational and farming training.