Transformational Leadership Development
Equipping pastors and church leaders so that more than 519 churches of diverse doctrines in Chitipa and Karonga can work as one for their communities.
519 churches. One purpose.
Local churches of many traditions in Chitipa and Karonga, working together for communities where everyone has life in its fullness.
Sustainable livelihoods, rooted in community
Climate-smart farming, savings groups and new sources of income, led by the people who live here.
A strong start for every child
Early childhood centres, youth leadership and better schools across northern Malawi.
Our impact
Churches and communities, working as one
- local churches mobilised
- 519+
- districts: Chitipa and Karonga
- 2
- serving communities in northern Malawi
- Since 2009
- programme areas
- 4
What we do
Four ways we build lasting change
Everything starts with the local church. Pastors and congregations lead; TDI equips, connects and walks alongside them.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Boreholes, solar-powered water systems and shallow wells, managed by the communities who use them, alongside better household sanitation and hygiene.
Food Security and Livelihoods
Climate-smart farming, livestock pass-on, horticulture and savings groups that help families grow more food and earn a steady income.
Education and Youth Empowerment
Early childhood development centres, youth leadership and entrepreneurship, and school supplies such as desks and lab equipment.
Where we work
Rooted in Chitipa and Karonga
From the hills along the Tanzania and Zambia borders to the shores of Lake Malawi, we work with more than 519 local churches in northern Malawi’s most remote communities.
- Office on the M1 Road, Chitipa Town
- Churches of many traditions working together
- Projects led by the communities themselves
The map loads when you scroll to it.
List of places on the map
- Borehole drilling and rehabilitation (Chitipa Boma area, Chitipa)
- Solar-powered water systems (Misuku Hills, Chitipa)
- TDI demonstration farm: bananas and drip irrigation (Chitipa Boma, Chitipa)
- Climate-smart agriculture with Mbeya fertiliser (Kameme, Chitipa)
- Livestock pass-on (Nthalire, Chitipa)
- Savings groups (SGM) (Karonga)
- Fish farming and alternative income (Kaporo, Karonga)
- Early childhood development centres (Chisenga, Chitipa)
- Youth leadership and entrepreneurship (Chitipa)
- School desks and laboratory equipment (Chitipa)
- Pastors’ transformational leadership training (Karonga Boma, Karonga)
- Church and Community Mobilisation (Chitipa district, Chitipa)
Projects
Proof of change, village by village
Leadership
Church and Community Mobilisation
Local churches and communities discover their own assets and act together on the needs they choose.
Chitipa district, Chitipa
Education & youth
Early childhood development centres
Improving community-based childcare centres and training caregivers so young children get a strong start.
Chisenga, Chitipa
Food & livelihoods
TDI demonstration farm: bananas and drip irrigation
A working farm where families see climate-smart methods in action, from banana suckers to drip irrigation powered by the sun.
Chitipa Boma, Chitipa
Stories of change
“A transformed, equitable and self-sufficient community where everyone has life in its fullness.”
TDI vision statement
Why we work through local churches
Churches are present in every village, trusted by their neighbours and committed for the long term. Here is why they are at the heart of everything TDI does.
Read the story : Why we work through local churchesNews
Latest from the field
Stories of change
From banana suckers to harvest: inside the TDI demonstration farm
Mulching, a solar-powered water tank and drip irrigation: how a small farm in Chitipa is showing families what is possible.
News
Lessons from COVID-19: building income that lasts
The pandemic showed how fragile incomes are. Our self-sustenance pillar helps churches and families build alternative sources of income.
Resources
Reports & guides
Organisation profile · 2025 · English
TDI Organisation Profile 2025
Who we are, our vision, mission and values, our development model, strategic pillars, programmes and team.
PDF, 868.4 KB
Partner with TDI
Change is local. Partnership makes it last.
Whether you are a church, a donor or an institution, there is a place for you in this work.
Churches
Join a network of 519+ congregations, or twin with a church in Chitipa.
Partner as a church
Donors
Fund boreholes, seed, livestock and schools, with clear reporting on every gift.
Give to TDI
Institutions
Government, NGOs and universities: work with trusted local structures.
Start a conversation
Stay close to the work
Field stories, prayer points and results, a few times a year.