Radiant Spotlight: Mphatso Kalambo's Journey to Driving Community Impact

Young and creative Mphatso during Mzuzu City young entrepreneurs summit

At Ulalo, we champion the transformative power of community engagement to foster meaningful change. In this spirit, we shine a spotlight on Mphatso Kalambo, our esteemed School Performance Officer stationed at Kafukule.

Mphatso epitomizes our dedication to community-driven initiatives, particularly through his integral role in the "Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology" (BEFIT) project.

Overseeing operations across nine schools, Mphatso brings a wealth of experience in community development, mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, enriching our team's endeavors.

 In a recent interview, we had the privilege of delving into Mphatso's journey and profound contributions to Ulalo.

Tell us about yourself and your role within Ulalo?    

My name is Mphatso Harris Kalambo, and I hold a Diploma in Agriculture and Natural Resources from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).

With a diverse background in rural development, agriculture innovations, language and cross-cultural development, community mobilization, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and project management, I bring a wealth of experience to the table.

Having worked with esteemed organizations like United States Peace Corps, Christian Aid, Emmanuel International Canada, and CREMPA, I have honed my skills in various capacities. At Ulalo, I am tasked with overseeing the day-to-day implementation of the BEFIT project across four zones.

Collaborating closely with education officials, my aim is to ensure the success of our projects and the holistic development of the communities we serve

What are some fun facts about you that might not be found on your resume?  

I am naturally shy but I use humour and dramatic flair to connect with others while ensuring that I am always approachable. Outside of work, I nurture my passion for farming and entrepreneurship.

Mphatso Focusing on his laptop during a BEFIT review Meeting

 What initially drew you to Ulalo?

In 2021, I developed a culture of following NGOs and agencies social media platforms. I came across Ulalo’s social media pages then called Centre for Youth and Development and I always read of their newsletters, success stories, and general reports. I was impressed with Ulalo’s work but also recognising that Ulalo is a local NGO, locally founded by a young person and with a youth workforce yet achieving a lot, I found a perfect fit within our organization.

Whats your most rewarding aspect of your work at Ulalo

Since joining Ulalo, I have experienced personal and professional growth. I appreciate the emphasis on teamwork, technological advancement, and program quality. Most notably, I find fulfilment in fostering strong collaborative implementation of program activities and improving quality of work, a cornerstone to organizational success.

Share your accomplishments that you are proud of at the moment?

One of my biggest achievements so far is nurturing community engagement. I have managed to build and maintain strong relationship between communities and schools. By empowering communities with knowledge and responsibilities, I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact on our project outcomes.

Mphatso (in red) actively participating in a group assignment

Share Your Memorable Moment?

I feel at home at Ulalo, Ulalo is more than just a workplace; it's a supportive family where everyone contributes to a shared vision. From top management's unwavering support to a culture of continuous learning and growth, every moment at Ulalo is cherished and memorable.

As we continue our journey towards building stronger communities through education, Mphatso Kalambo's dedication serves as an inspiration to us all. At Ulalo, it's not just about driving impact—it's about fostering lasting change through genuine engagement and collaboration.