Malawi Washington Association

Malawi Washington Association (MWA) was established in 1994 and is the first association in the United States that was organized to promote Malawian culture for Malawians in the diaspora residing in the United States and Canada.^[1][2] It was founded by Peter Kapakasa, Stafford Chipungu, Jonathan Kamkwalala, and the late Henri Nsanjama.^[1] It is a non-political, non-ethnic organization that works as a support system to Malawians in the diaspora. It works with a number of organization in the DC area and abroad in order to act as a resource of information on Malawi and to promote Malawian culture. It also supports Malawians in the diaspora living in the United States including Malawian-Americans and Malawian citizens. It serves to creates Malawian identity amongst Malawian-Americans and Malawians in the DC area.^[3] This Includes hosting social events for a number of Malawians in the diaspora.^[3] It has collaborated with Miss Africa International, the World Bank,Lions Club, University of Malawi and the Embassy of Malawi, and the peacecorps group, Friends of Malawi.^[4][5] As the first organization for Malawians living in the diaspora in the United states, and one of the first organizations for the Malawian diaspora in the world, it has served as a blueprint for other Malawian organizations in the Malawian diaspora to organize in Indiana, Texas, New England and in England.It has also consulted with other Malawian organizations in starting up in the Malawian Diaspora.

Events

MWA has held a number of cultural event in the Washington DC area that have helped to bring Malawian scholars, personalities and celebrities to the foreground. This includes events like "Sights and Sound of Malawi", and Malawi Nite" and the annual extravaganza weekend that coincides with both Malawian independence day (July 6th) and U.S. Independence day (July 4th). Past performances have included musicians Wambali Mkandawire, and Masauko Chipembere. It has included theatrical performances by actor Gordon Timothy. MWA holds an annual form where items of importance to Malawi and the Malawian diaspora are discussed including healthcare in the United States, dual citizenship, gender rights, HIV/AIDS, and remittances.

Philanthropy

MWA participates in a number of philanthropic endeavors including supporting AIDS and Cancer charitable events both in the US and in Malawi.^[3] This includes raising money for Earthquake victims in Karonga's 2009 earthquake.^[6] It has also raised over $20,000 for food relief in Malawi.

Notable Guest Speakers

Malawi Washington Association has organized events bringing guest speakers and Malawian personalities from diverse political and ethnic backgrounds to speak at special events and MWA events. In 2004, it organized an event for President Bingu wa Mutharika to address the Malawian Diaspora in Malawi.^[7] Other notable guests have included Malawian Minister of Tourism and Finance Ken Lipenga, radio personality Mwiza Munthali, actor Michael Usi, amongst others.

Past Presidents

• Eddie Naming'ona (2008–present)
• Viola Kamkwalala
• Alexander Chanthunya
• Elisa Munthali
• Nelson Kanthula
• Mwiza Munthali

Also See

• Malawian Diaspora
• Malawi - US relations
• African Immigration to the United States

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Malawi Washington Association - Welcome". Malawiwashington.org. http://www.malawiwashington.org/. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
2. ^ "idealist.org". idealist.org. http://www.idealist.org/view/org/JkggmpK4SZh4/. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "US Malawians celebrate independence in style". Mwnation.com. 2011-07-06. http://www.mwnation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22406:us-malawians-celebrate-independence-in-style&catid=44:chill&Itemid=50. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
4. ^ "Sponsorship and Partnership". Malawiwashington.org. http://www.malawiwashington.org/sponsorship-and-partnership.html. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
5. ^ "Sights and Sounds of Malawi - A Fund-Raising Event to Benefit Educational and Development Projects in Malawi". allAfrica.com. 2006-05-16. http://allafrica.com/stories/200605160583.html. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
6. ^ "AfricaNews - Malawi: Local NGO cheers Karonga disaster victims - The AfricaNews articles of Mtheto Lungu". Voicesofafrica.africanews.com. 2009-12-27. http://voicesofafrica.africanews.com/site/list_message/24268. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
7. ^ "Bingu wa Mutharika’s big ideas". Maravipost.com. 2010-11-17. http://www.maravipost.com/malawi-politics/all-articles/75-editor/4301-bingu-wa-mutharikas-big-ideas.html. Retrieved 2011-11-13.