Determined to Develop

To empower, through education, the people of Malawi to become agents of development for their families, communities, country, and world.{{Cite web|url=https://www.determinedtodevelop.org/|title=Determined to Develop|website=Determined to Develop|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-23}}

Determined to Develop was established in 2009 by founder Matt Maroon who has lived in Malawi since 2006.{{cite web|title=Malawi Research Practicum on Rights & Development|url=https://www.udayton.edu/artssciences/academics/politicalscience/oaa/malawi/index.php|publisher=University of Dayton|accessdate=1 July 2018}} After obtaining his graduate degree in anthropology, Matt moved to a rural part of Malawi and began laying the foundations for an on-the-ground operations, partnering with Malawian people and connecting with the community.{{Cite web|url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/events/things-know-about-malawi-music-fest/Q6HjqPxjKxXbbQWtBHnnII/|title=5 things to know about Malawi Music Fest|last1=Thrasher|first1=Don|last2=Alex Perry|first2=Contributing Writer|website=daytondailynews|language=English|access-date=2019-12-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dayton.com/events/support-malawi-redevelopment-with-food-trucks-music-art-this-weekend/cUoP9G5qkBt9jQHBuzYNVO/|title=Support Malawi redevelopment with food trucks, music, art this weekend|last=Machi|first=Vivienne|website=dayton|language=english|access-date=2019-12-19}}{{cite web|title=Determined to Develop - Matt Maroon|url=http://determinedtodevelop.org/who-we-are/matt-maroon/|publisher=www.determinedtodevelop.org|accessdate=1 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201085439/http://www.determinedtodevelop.org/who-we-are/matt-maroon/|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=239655&p=42&pp=1&view=issueViewer|title=University of Dayton Magazine Winter 2014-15 Page 40|website=www.mydigitalpublication.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-19}}

Determined to Develop moved from a passive to an active Board in 2013 and was able to recruit directors who would ensure planning, oversight and funding was achieved in the long term.{{cite web|title=Determined to Develop|url=https://www.udayton.edu/studev/leadership/involvement/student-life/org-determined.php|publisher=University of Dayton|accessdate=1 July 2018}} Within Malawi, Determine to Develop founder Matt Maroon is also the country manager for Lattitude Global Volunteering, a UK based charity which provides service opportunities for young people to teach in secondary schools within Malawi.{{cite web|title=D2D, women's empowerment and sewing lessons |url=http://lattitude.org.uk/2015/09/d2d-womens-empowerment-and-sewing-lessons/ |publisher=Lattitude Global Volunteering|accessdate=1 July 2018}} Matt also formerly lectured at the University of Livingstonia where he held the post of Dean of the College of Social Sciences.[http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pace/usairways_october2014/index.php?startid=96 US Airways Magazine, October 2014][http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=174923&p=12#{“page”:12 University of Dayton Magazine, Autumn 2013] In 2021, Geoff Mzembe, a Malawian, was promoted to Executive Director. Geoff has been with Determined to Develop since the beginning, starting with the project in 2010. Geoff has been an integral part of all projects from their inception. As Executive Director, Geoff leads the day-to-day operations of our team and programs. Geoff also coordinates all external and community relations, from our surrounding villages and schools to government-level stakeholders.

Determined to Develop annually hosts The Malawi Research Practicum and the Malawi Graduate Fellowship in training future human rights advocates and professionals through applied research and working with the community on critical human rights and development issues. Undertaken in partnership with the University of Dayton Department of Political Science , this project draws on transdisciplinary research and applied participatory international development insights to enable students from across the university, including Teacher Education - School of Education and Health Sciences and ETHOS Center - School of Engineering,{{Cite web|url=https://udayton.edu/engineering/connect/ethos/student-experiences/chilumba-malawi.php|title=Chilumba, Malawi : University of Dayton, Ohio|website=udayton.edu|access-date=2019-12-22}} to meaningfully participate in development and human rights work on a global scale.{{Cite web|url=https://udayton.edu/artssciences/ctr/hrc/malawi/index.php|title=Overview : University of Dayton, Ohio|website=udayton.edu|access-date=2019-12-22}}

File:Wasambo_Boys_High_School.jpg

In 2017 and in partnership with the University of Dayton,{{Cite web|url=https://udayton.edu/studev/leadership/involvement/student-life/org-determined.php|title=Determined to Develop : University of Dayton, Ohio|website=udayton.edu|access-date=2019-12-22}} Determined to Develop commissioned a new boarding high school, Wasambo Boys High School which has established a national reach within its first year of inception.{{cite news |title=Determined to Develop Malawi, Africa - Wasambo Boy's High School |url=https://determinedtodevelop.org/wasambo-high-school/ |accessdate=4 July 2018 |work=Determined to Develop Malawi}} The first-year class of 75 students, is led by an international faculty, combining a half Malawian and have western-based staff.{{Cite web|url=https://wasambo.org/|title=Wasambo Boys High School - Malawi, Africa|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}} The existing school is home to approximately 500 male students who not only attend class—they also live on the grounds. The proposed expansion will accommodate an additional 2,500 male and female students with greatly improved water facilities, capable of providing an estimated 500,000 liters per day. The school will be transformed from a high school into a technical college for post-secondary education.{{Cite web|url=http://web.benesch.com/water-system-design-sets-stage-for-campus-master-plan-in-malawi-africa/|title=Water System Design Sets Stage for New Campus in Malawi, Africa|date=2019-09-26|website=Benesch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-22}}

As the organization grew, staff members were added to the team and programming expanded.{{Cite web|url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/26-4678003|title=Guidestar Determined to Develop|website=www.guidestar.org|access-date=2019-12-19}} Although progress was being made in each of the development sectors, it was the educational programming that was having the most significant impact. Meanwhile, meetings with community stakeholders and a thorough needs assessment concluded that education was the top development priority for the region. In 2017, Determined to Develop transitioned to an organization rooted in education.{{Cite news|url=https://www.determinedtodevelop.org/history/|title=Determined to Develop Malawi, Africa - Our History|work=Determined to Develop|access-date=2019-12-23|language=en-US}}

The GoAbroad Foundation began partnering with Determined to Develop as a Beneficiary Organization Partner in September 2019, after being introduced to their programs and mission through the Give Together Program outreach program.{{Cite web|url=http://www.goabroad.org/partners/determined-to-develop|title=Determined to Develop|website=GoAbroad Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-22}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.determinedtodevelop.org}}
• [https://www.guidestar.org/profile/26-4678003 Guidestar]
• [https://www.goabroad.org/partners/determined-to-develop GoAbroad Foundation]
• [https://udayton.edu/studev/leadership/involvement/student-life/org-determined.php UD Center for Student Involvement]
• [https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/264678003 Charity Navigator]

Category:Development charities based in the United States

Category:Education in Malawi

Category:Foreign charities operating in Malawi