Operating in Malawi since 2015, Fount for Nations (FFN) is a local organization committed to ensuring that every child thrives—particularly those with disabilities.

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Founder Patience Musiwa Mkandawire, an Obama Foundation Scholar with a degree in Nutrition and Food Science, is deeply passionate about creating inclusive learning environments for all children. Her vision is rooted in the belief that every child—regardless of ability—deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.

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Fount for Nations uses a multidisciplinary support process to educate, advocate, treat, and inspire communities to accept and support differently-abled children. They collaborate with hospitals, schools, and entire communities, working hand in hand with community and government leaders to build local capacity to serve children with disabilities more effectively.

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Early Intervention
FFN prioritizes the early years—ensuring that children are screened for developmental delays within the first 1,000 days of life through targeted assessments at under-five clinics. They also train health workers to detect early signs of disability and strengthen referral systems for timely, specialized care. Children identified through screening are either referred to specialized care with FFN’s partners or enrolled in FFN’s Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program for continued support.

 

Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR)
In Lilongwe, FFN mobilizes community resources to ensure every child with disabilities receives the care and support they need to reach their full potential. The CBR program spans five key areas: health, education, social inclusion, empowerment, and livelihood support.
Under the livelihood pillar, FFN implements the Street Business School model to equip caregivers—often mothers of children with disabilities—with with the skills and confidence to start and sustain small businesses while balancing caregiving responsibilities.