Samuel Malasa Banda
Founder and Team Leader
Samuel ardently believes in the power of education as a transformative force driving social empowerment, illuminating paths of hope and opportunity for individuals and communities alike. He believes that through education, individuals gain the tools to challenge societal norms, advocate for their rights, and foster inclusivity. This unwavering conviction inspired him to found the YES Initiative in 2017 alongside like-minded friends who shared his passion.
As the founder and Team Leader of YES Initiative, Samuel envisions providing quality education, mentorship, and holistic support to marginalized young people. He holds a degree in Communication from the University of Malawi. Besides YESI, he works in the Civic and Voter Education Directorate at the Malawi Electoral Commission.
Eleanor Phiri
Manager – Finance and Administration
A results-driven and vibrant finance professional skilled in Financial Modelling, Business Valuation, FP & A analysis, and Business Accounting, Eleanor holds a degree in Internal Auditing from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences and a Certificate in Financial Modeling and Valuation Analysis from the Corporate Finance Institute.
She initially joined YESI as a sponsor in 2018 and later offered her skills to enhance the Initiative’s mission. In 2021, she founded Eco-Protein, an insect technology startup aimed at addressing world hunger and climate change. With Eco-Protein, she won seed funding of $12,000 from TotalEnergies Malawi and the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Amos Dimba
Manager – Programs Implementation
Amos has cultivated a profound aptitude for project management, monitoring, and evaluation. A profound passion for youth advocacy drives him, rooted in the distressing sight of deserving students compelled to abandon their education due to financial hardships. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food science from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and currently studying for a master’s in environmental health at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences. He works as a nutritionist at the Lighthouse Trust.
Wamwayi Nakarhie Dula
Mentorship & Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Wamwayi graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) from the University of Malawi’s College of Medicine. She is a dedicated pharmacist with a strong commitment to mentorship and community engagement. Joining YES Initiative at its founding in 2017, Wamwayi is one of the founding mentors, driven by a desire to pay forward the support she once received. Aside from her role at YESI, she works as a Pharmacist Manager at Ritechem Pharmaceuticals.
Yamikani Banda
Education and Sponsorship Coordinator
An educationalist by heart and profession, Yamikani holds a Bachelor of Education in Chemistry from the University of Malawi. He has several years of experience working as a Secondary school teacher, finishing his teaching career at the prestigious Marymount Catholic Secondary School. He currently works with World Vision Malawi as a Project Officer.
Chisomo Banda
Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
Chisomo is one of YESI’s founding mentors, joining the Initiative as a second-year Economics student at the Catholic University of Malawi, where she graduated in 2018. A fervent proponent of youth empowerment, she believes in the potential of young minds to effect positive change. With a background in Economics and experience in monitoring and evaluation, Chisomo has seen the transformative impact of YESI firsthand. She is determined to support its mission of empowering youth. Currently, she works as an Economist at the Department of Economic Planning and Development in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in Malawi.
Siphelire Nyangulu
Resource Development and Fundraising Coordinator
Siphelire holds a degree in Development Economics from the University of Malawi. She is trained in public finance, results-based monitoring and evaluation, and economic planning and management. Furthermore, she is skilled in planning, analysis, and reporting. She works as an Economist at the Reserve Bank of Malawi. As YESI’s Resource Development and Fundraising Coordinator, she is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies, identifying, and securing funding opportunities, managing donor relationships, and coordinating resource mobilization efforts to support the organization’s programs and initiatives.
Blessings Mtupanyama
Sustainable Livelihoods Coordinator
Blessings has a strong commitment to achieving results and is self-motivated. Possessing a comprehensive grasp of Project Management and implementation, she adeptly employs logical and analytical skills to address intricate challenges. Her proficiency in leveraging available resources underscores her efficacy in attaining organizational objectives, while her capacity to capture success stories attests to her performance excellence. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition and Food Science from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
