What happens when a young person with a passion for storytelling, photography, and culture finds the right place to grow? For Mikellah Mbewe, the answer lies in her journey as a Communications Intern at Tingathe.

Mikellah is a passionate young woman. She completed her secondary education at The Wykeham Collegiate in South Africa and is now pursuing a degree in Language, Communication, and Culture at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). But Mikellah knew that gaining knowledge in class was not enough; she needed real experience that would shape her skills and confidence. That is what led her to Tingathe.

“I joined Tingathe to pursue my passion for storytelling, interacting with communities, photography, and understanding cultures,” Mikellah explains. “I wanted to build these skills while I am at university so that when I graduate, I can start my career with confidence.”

From her first day at Tingathe, Mikellah felt part of a team that values learning and creativity.

“From the very first day, I was welcomed into an environment that valued collaboration, learning, and creativity,” she shares.

At Tingathe, we provide opportunities for young people from universities to help them acquire the skills and experience needed for their careers. We involve these students in our mission to offer a locally relevant and market-driven range of urban enterprise options, connect participants to basic services, develop savings and loan groups, and build deeper community ties in peri-urban areas. Our programs empower young people, women, small business owners, and school children with skills they can use to thrive and rise out of poverty.

As a communications intern, Mikellah plays an important role in sharing these stories of impact.

“My role involves capturing the stories of impact, writing reports, and documenting field activities through photography and interviews,” she says. “I enjoy this work because it speaks to my heart.”

One of Mikellah’s favorite moments so far was attending eco-briquette training sessions in Njewa, Lilongwe. She met women who were learning how to make eco-briquettes for cooking, an initiative that is good for the environment and also empowers women.

“It was inspiring to see how such programs can change lives, especially for women who often lack confidence because of gender stereotypes,” Mikellah says. “Documenting that event helped me apply what I have practically learned in school.”

Her time at Tingathe has transformed the way she sees community development, youth empowerment, and gender equality. She has learned that true development starts by listening to people’s needs and working with them to create solutions.

“In my time with Tingathe, I have seen how empowering young people with skills and knowledge can change both people and communities,” Mikellah explains. “I have also learned that gender equality means giving women and girls the tools and confidence to take part in decisions that affect their lives. Real change happens when it is inclusive, local, and built on respect and opportunity for all.”

Through this internship, Mikellah is building skills in public relations, storytelling, digital communication, and community engagement. She is also learning the power of listening, respecting cultures, and using communication to inspire change.

“This internship has given me a strong foundation for my future career. It has confirmed my passion for using language and communication to connect people and help communities,” she says. “I’m very grateful for the support, mentorship, and friendships I’m gaining at Tingathe.”

When asked to describe Tingathe in three words, Mikellah chooses: “Growth, purpose, and inspiration.”

As she continues her internship, we at Tingathe are proud of the progress she is making. We believe she has a bright future and will play an important role in building a better Malawi.