Welcome to Maji Zuwa!
Maji Zuwa, meaning “water and sun,” in the local Tumbuka language, is a social entrepreneurship venture encompassing a guesthouse lodge and non-profit community-based organisation located in Sangilo Village, Chilumba, Karonga District, on the northern beach shores of Lake Malawi.
Maji Zuwa hosts travelers who are looking for more than just a typical stop-over. Having the best view of the lake, perched above the azure waters, we offer backpackers and travelers the opportunity to be involved in something bigger than a lodge.
For those who would like peace and tranquility, you’ll look upon some of the best views of the lake, relaxing in Adirondack chairs where you can kick back and snooze the afternoon away. Guests comment on our food, especially the generous portion size and value for your money. Our rooms are clean, simple, and affordable with options ranging from self-contained, to self catering, inexpensive dorms, and, of course, camping sites which overlook the water.
For those who want to get their hands dirty, we offer the chance to immerse yourself in our partnership projects within the community. The lodge strives to build working relationships with the local population and visitors and as such has continuing projects with our local nursery schools, primary and secondary schools, women’s empowerment groups, environmental groups, and village development committees.
For those who would like peace and tranquility, you’ll look upon some of the best views of the lake, relaxing in Adirondack chairs where you can kick back and snooze the afternoon away. Guests comment on our food, especially the generous portion size and value for your money. Our rooms are clean, simple, and affordable with options ranging from self-contained, to self catering, inexpensive dorms, and, of course, camping sites which overlook the water.
For those who want to get their hands dirty, we offer the chance to immerse yourself in our partnership projects within the community. The lodge strives to build working relationships with the local population and visitors and as such has continuing projects with our local nursery schools, primary and secondary schools, women’s empowerment groups, environmental groups, and village development committees.
Our History
Maji Zuwa was founded by Matt Maroon, an American who decided to take a year off and travel to Malawi after finishing his bachelor’s degree. One year turned into many.
Matt first volunteered for two years as Chief Financial Officer and Acting Director of Miracle Technical College for Orphans in the small town of Karonga. Concurrently, he taught high school social studies and biology at Chaminade Boarding School and was in charge of a Women’s Empowerment Program which allocated micro-credit loans to widows and orphans. During the hunger months, Matt managed a grain distribution program in rural Malawi which provided sustenance to over 1500 families who would have otherwise risked starvation. After these two years as a volunteer, Matt was hooked on the warm and hospitable culture of Malawi.
Following a master’s degree in the USA in the field of Cultural and Applied Anthropology, where he also worked full time to save up to start Maji Zuwa, Matt returned to Malawi and chose the Chilumba area with a dream of creating a space where visitors and local people could come together to work on development issues. With this in mind, Matt founded the non-profit NGO Determined to Develop in order to support the development work associated with the surrounding villages.
The main idea was that all projects and work should be community-driven. It should not be the “white guy” coming in to dictate his idea of development. As such, Matt used this community centric approach to work with local stakeholders; chiefs and traditional leaders, village development committees, women’s empowerment groups, civil society leaders and teachers, to push forward shared ideas of development. Since Maji Zuwa’s inception in 2010, Matt and Maji Zuwa enjoy a fruitful relationship with the community.
Currently, Maji Zuwa and Determined to Develop focus on projects concerning education, orphan care, food and nutrition, health, women’s empowerment, and the environment. Matt and the organizations, along with the help of visitors, work with the most disadvantaged in the community, especially women, orphans and youth. Along with the programmed projects, and as a visitor to the lodge, you will see our resident kids, mostly orphans, who live at Maji Zuwa full time.
Within Malawi, aside from his work with Maji Zuwa and Determined to Develop, Matt previously lectured full time at the University of Livingstonia for four years where he held the post of Dean of the College of Social Sciences. He is also currently the country manager for Lattitude Global Volunteering, a UK based charity which provides service opportunities for young people to teach in high schools within rural Malawi.
Matt first volunteered for two years as Chief Financial Officer and Acting Director of Miracle Technical College for Orphans in the small town of Karonga. Concurrently, he taught high school social studies and biology at Chaminade Boarding School and was in charge of a Women’s Empowerment Program which allocated micro-credit loans to widows and orphans. During the hunger months, Matt managed a grain distribution program in rural Malawi which provided sustenance to over 1500 families who would have otherwise risked starvation. After these two years as a volunteer, Matt was hooked on the warm and hospitable culture of Malawi.
Following a master’s degree in the USA in the field of Cultural and Applied Anthropology, where he also worked full time to save up to start Maji Zuwa, Matt returned to Malawi and chose the Chilumba area with a dream of creating a space where visitors and local people could come together to work on development issues. With this in mind, Matt founded the non-profit NGO Determined to Develop in order to support the development work associated with the surrounding villages.
The main idea was that all projects and work should be community-driven. It should not be the “white guy” coming in to dictate his idea of development. As such, Matt used this community centric approach to work with local stakeholders; chiefs and traditional leaders, village development committees, women’s empowerment groups, civil society leaders and teachers, to push forward shared ideas of development. Since Maji Zuwa’s inception in 2010, Matt and Maji Zuwa enjoy a fruitful relationship with the community.
Currently, Maji Zuwa and Determined to Develop focus on projects concerning education, orphan care, food and nutrition, health, women’s empowerment, and the environment. Matt and the organizations, along with the help of visitors, work with the most disadvantaged in the community, especially women, orphans and youth. Along with the programmed projects, and as a visitor to the lodge, you will see our resident kids, mostly orphans, who live at Maji Zuwa full time.
Within Malawi, aside from his work with Maji Zuwa and Determined to Develop, Matt previously lectured full time at the University of Livingstonia for four years where he held the post of Dean of the College of Social Sciences. He is also currently the country manager for Lattitude Global Volunteering, a UK based charity which provides service opportunities for young people to teach in high schools within rural Malawi.
