Mangochi Immunization Advancement (MIA)

CHILD IMMUNIZATION CHALLENGE; Malawi

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Routine childhood immunizations

Learn more about the Immunization Challenge and how Increasing routine childhood immunization rates in low-coverage areas could prevent millions of childhood deaths.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

MIA works on increasing full childhood immunization in Malawi by using SMS reminders and conditional cash transfers to ensure children receive life-saving vaccines on time.

MIA delivers its intervention through public health facilities in Mangochi District, Malawi, enrolling caregivers of children aged 12–35 months at the point of care. Caregivers receive automated, personalized SMS reminders before each immunization visit, while completion of scheduled visits is verified through facility records and linked to small conditional cash transfers delivered via mobile money. The model is integrated with existing EPI systems and implemented in coordination with frontline health workers to ensure accuracy and accountability. Our pilot will run across six health facilities, reaching 500 children and their caregivers. What sets MIA apart is its tightly integrated, real-time verification and payment system that directly links immunization events to incentives, ensuring both high reliability and impact at low cost.

MIA was founded by Suzgo James Mwasikakata alongside Michelle Mwampashi Samuel, Dr. Kondwani C. Mamba, and Ketson Kayuni, a multidisciplinary team with expertise in public health, digital systems, and financial management. The team combines strong experience in immunization and health systems strengthening with finance and internal audit expertise from Michelle and Ketson, ensuring robust financial accountability. Suzgo James Mwasikakata leads the venture’s strategy and implementation in Malawi.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 500 children and their caregivers during the pilot phase, implemented across 6 health facilities in Mangochi District, Malawi.

• SMS reminders: ~6,000 messages (500 caregivers × ~12 reminders each, assuming 3 reminders per visit across 4 immunization visits), Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs): up to 2,000 payments within three months

• Fundraise $30,000 in additional funding within three months from new investors and donors, complemented by continued engagement and support from the D-Prize.

FOUNDING TEAM

Suzgo James Mwasikakata - CEO/Founder

Michelle Mwampashi Samuel - Programs Manager

Kondwani C. Mamba - Technical Advisor

Ketson Kayuni - Internal Advisor

Harvest Guard Solutions (HGS)

Post-Harvest Support CHALLENGE; Malawi

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Post-Harvest Support

Learn more about the Post-Harvest Support Challenge and why an evidence-based model that distributes post-harvest loans and improved grain storage bags could reliably boost the standard of living for smallholder farmers.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Harvest Guard Solutions (HGS)’s mission is to empower smallholder farmers with affordable, innovative post-harvest technologies and pre-harvest financial support, reducing food losses, enhancing food security, and increasing household incomes.

HGS’s model combines affordable post-harvest technologies with pre-harvest financial support, delivered through local Village Savings and Loan Associations. Trained village agents manage groups of farmers, ensuring accountability and facilitating payments, while farmers access PICS bags and small loans to protect their harvests. This integrated approach strengthens local distribution networks, reduces post-harvest losses, and increases incomes, providing a scalable framework for expansion beyond the pilot.

The HGS team includes Vanex Kamanga, Charity Manyowa, and Elizabeth Phiri, each playing a key role in the organization. Vanex will lead overall operations, coordinate farmer engagement, and ensure effective distribution of PICS bags. Charity will manage market strategies, farmer training programs, and support VSLAs to strengthen local networks, while Elizabeth will oversee financial management, pre-harvest loans, and repayment systems. Together, they will implement the pilot in Dowa District, directly engaging farmers and building a scalable model to reduce post-harvest losses and improve rural livelihoods.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 500 smallholder farmers within three months.

• Using 4 high-performing distribution agents, distribute 5,000 PICS bags and pre-harvest loans in three months.

• Raise $7800 in additional funding.

FOUNDING TEAM

Vanex Ian Kamanga - Founder

Safe Drop Solutions (SDS)

Clean Water Access CHALLENGE; Malawi

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Ceramic Water Filters

Learn more about the Clean Water Access Challenge and why ceramic pot water filters can be used by households to clean otherwise unsafe water from almost any source.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Safe Drop Solutions’ mission is to provide rural communities in Malawi with affordable and sustainable clean water through Ecofiltro water filters, improving health and livelihoods.

SafeDrop Solutions will pilot in the lakeshore communities of Mangochi District, T/A Makanjira, distributing 400 Ecofiltro ceramic water filters to households and nursery schools for three months. Families pay a 25% upfront fee and affordable monthly installments, making clean water accessible without financial strain. Trained Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) will serve as trusted, community-based sales agents, ensuring proper use, tracking repayments, and providing ongoing education.

What sets SDS apart is its unique integration of HSAs and Village Development Committees (VDCs), combining health expertise with local trust to drive adoption, sustain repayments, and maximize impact. This community-centered model ensures both health outcomes and financial sustainability.

SafeDrop Solutions is led by Prince Thomas, a Water Engineering graduate managing technical operations; Chifundo Saini, an Environmental Health Specialist leading health education; and Lwitiko Fweta, an M&E Specialist driving data-driven decision-making. Together, they combine expertise in water systems, public health, and impact evaluation to deliver clean water solutions. Their shared commitment and local knowledge position them to scale sustainably and transform rural health outcomes.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 1,600 beneficiaries within three months.

• Using four high-performing local HSAs, distribute 400 Ecofito water filters within three months, ensuring proper usage and follow-up to maximize impact on household water quality.

• Raise an additional $10,700 USD from new donors or investors within three months to support the scaling of activities.

FOUNDING TEAM

Prince Thomas - Founder

Chifundo Saini - Founder