Women Palm Tree Organization (WPTO) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to empowering vulnerable women, girls, single mothers, and widows in Dowa Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi. Through sustainable agricultural practices, we strengthen rural livelihoods, while fostering improved learning environments for child refugees and host communities. Our work centers on resilience, community-driven growth, and the belief that even the smallest acts of solidarity can ignite transformative change.Â
Founded in 2020 by Thereza Sangwa a survivor of war and armed conflict from the Democratic Republic of Congo WPTO began as a grassroots response to the struggles faced by displaced women and children. Officially registered as a nonprofit by the Government of Malawi on March 15, 2024, and pending registration with the Non-Government Organization Regulatory Authority (NGORA)Â by December 2024, we are committed to creating lasting change in Dzaleka.
Thereza’s Story:Â
Driven by her own journey of survival, Thereza envisioned a sanctuary where women and girls could rebuild their lives with dignity. From informal support groups to a registered NGO, WPTO has grown into a beacon of hope, rooted in faith, resilience, and the power of shared resources.Â
We envision a world where every woman, girl, single mother, and widow facing adversity is equipped with faith, hope, and the tools to reclaim their future. By nurturing resilience and fostering community, we empower individuals to rise above hardship and become architects of their own destinies.Â
To value, promote, and rebuild the well-being of marginalized women and children through:
Just as the palm tree stands tall through storms, WPTO embodies:Â
1.
We Stand Strong: Like the palm tree’s unyielding trunk, we empower women to face adversity with courage. From conflict to displacement, we provide tools to rebuild lives physically, emotionally, and economically.Â
2.
We Evolve with Purpose: Palm trees thrive in changing environments. Similarly, WPTO adapts to the shifting needs of Dzaleka’s refugee and host communities, ensuring our programs remain relevant and impactful.
3.
We Nourish Together: Palm trees offer shade and shelter. At WPTO, we create safe spaces where women and children find support, education, and the warmth of shared humanity.Â
4.
We Cultivate Futures: Every palm tree begins as a seed. Through education, mentorship, and sustainable agriculture, we plant seeds of opportunity, fostering generational change in Malawi.Â
Dowa Dzaleka Refugee Camp is home to thousands displaced by conflict, poverty, and instability. Women and children here face compounded challenges:
WPTO addresses these issues holistically, blending agricultural training, psychosocial support, and community-led advocacy to create pathways out of poverty.
An NGO dedicated to empowering vulnerable women, girls, single mothers, and widows in Dowa Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi.
