Tag Archives: Faizan Global Relief Foundation (FGRF)

Development, Religion

FGRF brings Eid Joy to 4,000 Blantyre women with food aid

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-As Muslims in Malawi prepare to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, the Faizan Global Relief Foundation (FGRF) has distributed Eid food packs to 4,000 women in Blantyre, offering relief and spreading festive cheer among vulnerable communities.

The distribution exercise took place at Kanjeza Primary School ground, where essential items such as sugar, salt, soya pieces, maize flour, rice, and buckets were handed out to beneficiaries.

Speaking during the event, FGRF Director of Communications and Public Relations, Ibrahim Omar Mataya, said the initiative reflects the true spirit of Eid, emphasizing compassion, sharing, and community support.

“Since the start of Ramadan, we are grateful to have reached approximately 150,000 individuals both directly and indirectly across the country. With Allah’s mercy, we hope to continue transforming lives and contribute towards ending poverty in Malawi,” he said.

Mataya also encouraged Muslims to embrace generosity during the festive season by supporting those less privileged, ensuring that everyone can partake in the joy of Eid.

Kanjeza Sisters representative and former Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, praised FGRF for its continued commitment to vulnerable communities, noting that the donation would ease the burden on many families struggling to celebrate the holiday.

“FGRF has consistently supported vulnerable communities over the years, and this is truly commendable,” she said.

She further urged parents to guide their children, particularly girls, to dress modestly during Eid as a sign of respect and dignity.

Mia highlighted that helping the needy is a fundamental Islamic value that uplifts the ultra-poor and strengthens social bonds within communities.

One of the beneficiaries, Linda Sabiti Bulian from Machinjiri, expressed gratitude for the support, saying it would ensure her family has food to celebrate Eid.

“We are very thankful for this gesture. May Allah bless FGRF abundantly,” she said.

During this Ramadan period, FGRF has distributed food packs worth approximately K1 billion, reaching over 150,000 people across Malawi, reinforcing its role as a key humanitarian organization in the country.

Development

Mathanga sounds alarm on Chiradzulu Midima constituency hunger crisis

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Chiradzulu Midima Constituency Member of Parliament (MP)Jean Mathanga has raised concern over a growing hunger crisis in the constituency, revealing that more than 40 percent of residents are currently struggling to access food.

Mathanga made the remarks on Saturday when Faizan Global Relief Foundation (FGRF) distributed food packs to 1,500 vulnerable people in the area as part of efforts to cushion families from the worsening food shortage.

The lawmaker, who also serves as Minister of Energy and Mining, used the occasion to call on individuals, companies and humanitarian organizations to extend support to communities facing hunger.

She said many households in the constituency are going through difficult times due to climate shocks that have affected agricultural production.

According to Mathanga, erratic weather patterns have led to poor harvests, leaving a significant number of families without enough food to sustain them.

She described the situation as worrying and stressed that without additional assistance, many households may continue to face severe food shortages.

Mathanga commended Faizan Global Relief Foundation for responding to the needs of vulnerable people in the constituency, saying the intervention has brought relief to many struggling families.

The minister further urged other well wishers and organizations to follow the example set by the foundation and help ease the hunger situation in the area.

Apart from the food distribution, the organization also donated walking sticks to people living with physical disabilities in the community.

FGRF Director of Communications Ibrahim Omar Mataya said the initiative demonstrates the foundation’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and improving the lives of people in need.

Development

Speaker Suleman happy with free varsity initiative as FGRF distributes Ramadan food items

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Speaker of the National Assembly, Sameer Suleman, has commended the construction of a new university in his constituency, describing the project as a transformative development that will widen access to higher education.

Suleman said he recently toured the construction site and expressed satisfaction with the quality of the work and the design of the facilities, noting that the infrastructure meets the standards expected of a modern university.

He added that the initiative becomes even more remarkable after learning that the institution will provide free education to students, a move he said could change the lives of many young people who struggle to afford university fees.

According to the Speaker, the project demonstrates the strong commitment of the Faizan Global Relief Foundation (FGRF) towards supporting Malawi’s education sector and uplifting communities through long term development programs.

Suleman made the remarks when he joined the foundation during a food distribution exercise aimed at assisting vulnerable families observing the holy month of Ramadan.

During the exercise, the organization distributed food packs containing maize flour, cooking oil, sugar and salt to help families who are fasting have meals for Iftar and Sehri.

The Speaker noted that the support was inclusive, explaining that the food items were also distributed to elderly men and women from different backgrounds within the community.

He commended the foundation for conducting similar humanitarian activities across the country, revealing that he also accompanied the organization during another relief program in Salima last week.

Suleman said such initiatives complement government efforts aimed at addressing hunger and improving the welfare of citizens, particularly among vulnerable groups.

He further noted that the foundation is implementing several development projects in Malawi, including the construction of schools and student hostels that are expected to improve access to education.

The Speaker also highlighted the growing challenge of urban poverty, especially in townships where many families struggle to meet the cost of basic necessities.

He explained that unlike rural communities where residents can rely on natural resources, people living in towns must pay for nearly every service including water and electricity.

Meanwhile, the Faizan Global Relief Foundation has continued its humanitarian outreach by distributing Ramadan food packs to vulnerable families in BCA, Blantyre.

Speaking during the exercise, FGRF Director of Media and Communications, Ibrahim Omar Mataya, said about 1,500 people are expected to benefit from the latest distribution.

Mataya added that the foundation has already reached close to 22,000 beneficiaries across Malawi since the start of its Ramadan relief campaign.

Beyond food aid, the organization is also investing in long-term empowerment initiatives, including the construction of a modern school and madrasa in BCA which will offer free education once fully completed.

90 Percent phase of the facility is already operational while the remaining infrastructure is still under development, with the project expected to eventually accommodate up to 1,000 boarding students including learners from outside Malawi.

FGRF says the initiative is inspired by the belief that knowledge empowers communities and transforms lives, stressing that its mission is not only to provide charity but also to nurture future leaders who will contribute positively to society.

Development

FGRF support sparks fresh call for sustainable food solutions in Mangochi

Shaffie A Mtambo

MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-Humanitarian assistance in Mangochi has reignited discussions on long-term food security, as communities in Makawa under Senior Chief Mponda continue to grapple with hunger.

This follows the latest intervention by the Faizan Global Relief Foundation (FGRF), which reached 1,500 people with maize flour.

During the handover ceremony, Agriculture Minister Roza Fatch Mbilizi said the donation reflects the urgent need for stronger partnerships to address the country’s worsening food crisis.

She stressed that Malawi cannot rely on relief distribution alone and must invest in systems that help communities withstand recurring droughts.

Mbilizi noted that with over four million Malawians facing hunger, government efforts through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) remain critical.

However, she called on development partners to complement these efforts with programmes that also empower farmers with modern farming tools and technologies.

The minister emphasised that repeated food shortages highlight deeper structural challenges in the agricultural sector.

She urged organisations working in disaster response to integrate resilience building initiatives such as irrigation support, seed distribution and climate smart agriculture.

FGRF spokesperson Ibrahim Omar Mataya said the foundation understands these long-term needs and is exploring ways to expand its support beyond emergency food distribution.

The current maize flour donation, worth K20 million, is expected to be followed by six months of additional assistance.

Mataya revealed that FGRF is considering incorporating soy flour and cooking oil to improve nutrition, especially among children and elderly people who are most affected during periods of scarcity.

Community members, while appreciative, echoed concerns about their inability to produce enough food due to last year’s crop failure. Many farms yielded almost nothing after prolonged dry spells destroyed maize fields before harvesting time.

For elderly beneficiaries like 65-year-old Jafali Naphwata, the relief brings temporary comfort, but his fears linger as the next farming season approaches without adequate seed or fertilizer.

He appealed to government and well wishers to support farmers with inputs to avoid another cycle of hunger.

Traditional leaders in the area also expressed the need for coordinated interventions that go beyond short-term handouts.

They believe empowering communities with farming resources would reduce dependency on emergency aid over time.

The donation has therefore sparked broader conversations about how Mangochi and the country at large can shift from crisis-driven responses to sustainable food systems that can withstand climate shocks.