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We are the most simple and direct way for Canadians to support kids with disabilities in Malawi.

With less than 2% going to admin costs, almost every dollar you give goes directly to:

Programs and therapies for kids who need it most. 

We partner exclusively with Children of Blessing Trust (COBT) in Lilongwe, Malawi. Founded in 2007, COBT quickly developed a reputation as a leading organization for the children with disabilities in Lilongwe Malawi. With more than 20 Malawian staff members, COBT provides rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, an orthopedic clinic, nutrition and feeding programs, and more. Thrive Malawi provides funding to CoBT in order to deliver health and education services to children with disabilities and other disadvantaged children in Malawi.

Learn about cobt

Our Impact

Because of your donations, we are able to support Children of Blessing Trust as they:

  • Your donation helps to employ 3 rehab technicians, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, and a communications disorder technician.

    More than 700 kids receive rehabilitation services every year.

  • Your donation helps to supply maize soya porridge and chiponde, a fortified peanut butter paste, and helps to employ a nutritionist and nutrition assistant.

    Every year more than 600 kids receive nutrient dense food from our programs.

  • Your donation helps to employ 5 Malawian preschool teachers and an assistant teacher, ensuring preschool classes can be offered at 12 different sites throughout Malawi.

    More than 300 preschoolers participate in our preschool every year.

  • Your donation helps to employ a Special Education Teacher who works with kids in one of six programs designed to prepare older children for school, educate those not in school, address behavioral issues, teach sign language and assist visually impaired children.

    There are often more than 200 kids in these programs each year.

  • Your donation helps to provide a full protein meal for each child attending a program.

    Meals often include nsima, the local staple food, with a protein source and a vegetable, rice porridge made from rice and groundnut flour, or maize soya porridge.

    More than 100 kids are fed every single day.

Board of Directors

  • Stephen Eng

    Stephen is Chair of the Board of Directors and President of Thrive Malawi. He is a professional agrologist living in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. He is retired from Evergro, Nutrien Ag Solutions. He has known Kathy Bowler for more than 35 years. Stephen and his wife Jacki visited Malawi in 2006 and were inspired to support Kathy’s work. They visited Malawi again in October 2014. Stephen also volunteers at Helen’s Acres, a non-profit community farm helping to provide solutions for food insecurity in the Central Okanagan.

  • Pam Robertson

    Pam is Treasurer for Thrive Malawi. Pam is Kathy Bowler’s sister. She is retired after a 30-year career with BMO Bank of Montreal where she was an Executive Vice-President with strategic leadership and operating responsibilities. Pam visited Malawi and saw the difference Kathy made through her work at SOS Children’s Village. Pam, her husband Pete and daughter Michelle became committed supporters of Kathy’s work and donated the funds to register Thrive Malawi as a Canadian charity.

  • Vivien Berry

    Vivien is a Director and Vice-President of Thrive Malawi. Vivien worked in finance for more than 30 years. She also serves on three other community boards. She has been a friend of Kathy and Steve Bowler for more than 20 years. Vivien went to Malawi in October 2014 and saw firsthand the work Kathy is doing with and for Malawian families. In particular she gained an understanding of where the funds received through Thrive Malawi are used and how these funds have the power to impact not just the children but the whole family unit which then extends to the greater community.

  • Rosanne Lyster

    Rosanne is a Director and Board Secretary of Thrive Malawi. Rosanne lives in Comox British Columbia. Currently working for Island Health, she has been an advocate with and for people with disabilities throughout her career. Rosanne has known Kathy and Steve Bowler for 30 years and is always excited to hear about the amazing work of the Children of Blessing Trust.

  • Bert Boyd

    Bert is a Director of Thrive Malawi and a health care management consultant, with over 40 years experience in managing hospitals and overseeing health system transformation. He and his wife, Laura Reeves, have also participated in international health consulting assignments and are committed to improving health and social services in developing countries. This is reflected in their support for the Children of Blessing Trust and the work being done by Kathy Bowler and her team.

You can make a difference, today.

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