Tadala Kandulu Ngosi: Building a Holistic Model for Youth Development Through MATCH Foundation

In many communities across Malawi, young people grow up with ambition and talent but limited access to opportunities that allow them to thrive. For Tadala Kandulu Ngosi, this was a lived reality. Her journey, from local tennis courts in Malawi to international competitions and an NCAA scholarship in the United States, where she studied Economics at Southern Wesleyan University and later Development Studies at the University of Malawi, revealed the transformative power of education, mentorship, and opportunity.

Inspired by this experience, Tadala founded MATCH Foundation in 2021 in Lilongwe. The youth-led organization was created to address barriers such as limited access to quality education, inadequate sports infrastructure, and gaps in holistic youth development, using education and sport together to nurture confident, skilled, and resilient young people.

Creating Pathways Through Education and Sport

Malawi’s youth represent more than 65% of the country’s population. This demographic reality carries both immense promise and significant responsibility. Yet many young people encounter a system that struggles to meet their needs, outdated curricula, low literacy levels, gender inequality, and limited opportunities to develop practical or 21st-century skills.

MATCH Foundation works at the intersection of these challenges. Its approach is intentionally holistic, recognizing that young people thrive when learning extends beyond the classroom and when education is supported by mentorship, safe spaces, and opportunities for self-expression.

Through after-school programs, sports initiatives, leadership training, and community engagement, the organization equips young people with tools that strengthen both academic performance and personal development. Sports programs are designed not only to promote healthy lifestyles but also to cultivate leadership, discipline, teamwork, and confidence, qualities that often translate into improved academic and life outcomes.

The organization places particular emphasis on empowering girls, ensuring they remain in school and develop the confidence to pursue leadership roles within their communities. Safe learning environments and mentorship opportunities help young people build resilience and navigate social and economic challenges with greater confidence.

Impact That Extends Beyond the Classroom

Since its founding, MATCH Foundation has grown from a bold vision into a community-driven initiative supporting young people across multiple districts in Malawi. Over the past five years, more than 7,000 youths have benefited from its education and sports programs, including school construction, improved sports infrastructure, and after-school learning initiatives.

The impact is visible in both academic and personal growth. Supported learners demonstrate strong school retention and attendance, while over 1,100 young people have gained life and leadership skills through structured sports participation. Girls’ empowerment remains central, with more than 2,000 girls trained in leadership and many serving as peer mentors within their communities. MATCH Foundation also prioritizes psychosocial well-being, creating safe spaces where young people can build confidence, resilience, and emotional support networks.

Despite funding and operational challenges, the organization continues to deliver locally rooted, sustainable solutions, investing in young people not only to succeed today, but to lead Malawi’s future.