Current Sponsorship Programs, and Future Sponsorship Opportunities.

Uraha Foundation Malawi (UFM) & Karonga Development Trust (KADET) would like to thank our partner organizations for their essential support.

The Uraha Foundation came into life in order to promote scientific research on evolution in Malawi and Africa. The Foundations first project was to establish the Cultural & Museum Center in Karonga, Malawi. Uraha Foundation consists of a Malawian and a German branch and is supported by Karonga Development Trust. As a local stakeholder, KADET has provided the 1.5 hectare site in the middle of Karonga for the construction of the Museum.

Current Sponsors:

European Development Fund (EDF) - Museum construction.
To implement the CMCK and its cultural and educational activities the URAHA Foundation has achieved a co-operation with the European Union. As the Microfinance program the European Development Fund (EDF) financed the construction of the Cultural & Museum Center with Euro 300 000.


German Technical Assistance Co-operation (GTZ) - Sustainable cultural and regional learning program.
Funds are also provided by the German Technical Assistance Co-operation (GTZ). Community sensitization with drama groups, PR, marketing and fundraising for the project was one main focus of the project in its first phase. A new aspect in 2003 was the establishment of a regional learning strategy based on previous published research results on culture and traditions in Karonga District by the project. Students, pupils, teachers and visitors of all ages shall experience cultural and natural history within their own environment.

Presstrust - Shipping and mounting Malawisaurus skeleton.
Natural history from its beginning is supported by Presstrust: With the Shipping and mounting of Malawisaurus, a dinosaur skeleton which was discovered by the Antiquities Department and American Researchers, Malawi is in a unique position to display its findings to the public.

Toyota Malawi Limited - 13 signposts for Karonga "Historical Tour".
CMCK has worked out guided tours through the history of Karonga. This idea has been supported by Toyota Malawi Limited. With their donation signposts marking 13 sites of historical interest in Karonga have been developed and distributed. Furthermore Toyota was supporting office and community sensitization activities for more than one year and the opening event.

German Development Service (DED) - Community sensitization.
The German Development Service (DED) is assisting the project in providing funds for community sensitization, networking with local NGOs, capacity building and office activities. Furthermore DED assists in local and regional awareness campaigns of the project such as distributing Newsletters and organising lectures with schools.

The Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum is one of the main research partners of the CMCK. Senckenberg has been assisting the Museum with organisational support for the exhibition. Other research partners involved in scientific research are the Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University Frankfurt, the Hesse State Museum Darmstadt, the Kenya National Museums, Nairobi, and the New York University (NYU).

German Companies such as Egger, Würth, Röhm/Degussa, Festool and Carl Zeiss were assisting us and the exhibition team, managed by Sebastian Mühlhäuser, in donating fantastic materials and machines to build the museum exhibits "From Dinosaurs to Democracy". Furthermore the Sparkassenstiftung Darmstadt has assisted us through the fundraising efforts of Ruth Wagner to support the exhibition work with a donation of Euro 7500. Thank you so much for your support and your willingness to assist so timely!

CMCK is grateful for all your essential support.
Zikomo!

Future Sponsorship Opportunities, and Funding Proposals:

We are looking for partners interested in assisting with proposals such as these:


Renovation of the first British Old District Commissioners building (photo) and the first missionaries graveyard in Karonga, including the graves of the Stevensons Road constructors McEwan and Stewart. Built in the late 1920's the Old DCs office could offer accomodation and study rooms for national and international visitors. So far the community has assisted in clearing and protecting the old graveyards site.
Click to view this proposal; OldBoma.pdf , OldBoma.html , OldBoma.doc
Conservation of shrines in Karonga District. Shrines are an important part of Malawis tribal heritage. Still in use the sacred places, shrines are visited by village elders (photo), to talk to the ancestral spirits and ask for assistance in day to day life. Knowledge about shrines and sacred sites such as Mbande Hill in Karonga gets lost . Preserving and teaching about this heritage shall be one core activitiy of the CMCK.
Click to view this proposal; shrines.pdf , shrines.html , shrines.doc.



"Preserving Culture in Malawi": This proposal is to establish an Arts & Craft Village to promote and preserve local arts and crafts not only as a market place for vendors but also as traditional learning center. School groups will visit and learn more about Malawian handcraft traditions such as fishtraps (photo), cooking spoons and baskets . Development and promotion of a concept for a sustainable Museum-Shop, is also part of this proprsal.
Click to view this proposal; heritage.pdf , heritage.html , heritage.doc.

These funding proposals are in preparation:

• Promotion and preservation of old games.

• Preservation of Rock Paintings in Malawi.

• Reviving and promoting the Ngonde Native Culture: their social and economic lifestyle, beliefs, customs, language in dances.

• Traditional Conservation Practices in Malawi as exemplified by the Mambwe and Namwanga people of Chitipa.

Please contact us in case of questions or feedback regarding the proposals.

We are currently preparing additional interactive presentations in association with museum exhibits and educational projects. If you enjoyed this presentation, and are interested in providing technical or financial support for future interactive projects, please contact: markvandenbergen@yahoo.com.au
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The Uraha Foundation is a registered Malawian NGO. Our constitution can be viewed here in MS Word format or html.

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