Welcome to Maji Zuwa!
Maji Zuwa, meaning “water and sun,” in the local Tumbuka language, is a social entrepreneurship venture encompassing a lodge, conference facilities, community meeting place and non-profit 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 ensuite, to 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 ensuite, to 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 started by Matt Maroon, an American who decided to take a year off and volunteer in Malawi after finishing his bachelor’s degree ten years ago. One year turned into many and Matt has lived in Malawi ever since. He and four Malawians (Lupakisho, our former manager; Geoff, who works for D2D; Ken, who works with a partner charity; and Frank, who studying at the nearby technical school) built Maji Zuwa from scratch in 2010 with the work never stopping since then.
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, just north of where we are now. 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 of 2006-2007, Matt managed a grain distribution program in rural Malawi which provided sustenance to over 1500 families who would have otherwise risked starvation (times were even tougher back then). After 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 (where we are) 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. It was all a bottom-up approach with consultation meetings with the people, chiefs, villagers, and civil society in order not to impose any development ideas, but rather join on people’s own ideas of what development means to them.
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 and was the only expatriate on the faculty. 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 in very rural areas of Malawi. He’s a great source of information if you’re looking to chat about international development, education or social entrepreneurship!
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, just north of where we are now. 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 of 2006-2007, Matt managed a grain distribution program in rural Malawi which provided sustenance to over 1500 families who would have otherwise risked starvation (times were even tougher back then). After 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 (where we are) 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. It was all a bottom-up approach with consultation meetings with the people, chiefs, villagers, and civil society in order not to impose any development ideas, but rather join on people’s own ideas of what development means to them.
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 and was the only expatriate on the faculty. 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 in very rural areas of Malawi. He’s a great source of information if you’re looking to chat about international development, education or social entrepreneurship!
