About Us

Mission

IKI is investing in Africa's future by applying practical and innovative solutions in research, education, and development through:

• Partnering with Africans to build local research capacity in health, social, and demographic research
• Organizing courses in social science research disciplines for Africa's future leaders
• Establishing rural libraries
• Providing long-term scholarships for girls

History

IKI was founded in 2005 by three graduate students in development and social science graduate programs at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University, in collaboration with two Malawian collaborators with extensive social science research backgrounds. IKI was borne from our recognition of the need to invest in the education of Malawians, and to build local expertise in the areas of social, economic, and health research. IKI’s co-founders have extensive fieldwork experience throughout Malawi and in more than a dozen countries spanning six continents. We firmly believe in prioritizing local contexts and preferences in our various research and education-oriented endeavors.

Results to Date

Libraries: We successfully completed our first resource center and library in Malawi’s central region. The Kayesa Resource Center and Library officially opened in July 2006, is managed and maintained by local staff and the number of books it houses—currently around 2000—is rapidly growing. Read a letter from the IKI Kayesa Librarian thanking donors for sending books (April 2007).

Courses: More courses in Stata, research methods, and GIS are planned for 2008. In 2007 IKI held a one-week course in leadership training, taught by MBA student volunteers from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. During 2005 and 2006 IKI held six week-long courses in the areas of social science research methods, statistics, Global Information Systems (GIS), ethnographic research methods, epidemiology, statistical programming in Stata, and grant writing.

Girls Education Fund: In 2007, IKI started the Girls Education Fund in honor of Hans Jorgen Matunda Anderson, a Danish man who passed away in late 2006 after living most of his life in Malawi. Hans strongly supported education for women and dedicated his life to the development rural Malawi and Sub-Saharan Africa. Through your generous support, this fund is currently paying for the school fees, uniforms, and books of five bright Malawian girls to attend secondary school that would not have been in school because their families could not afford to send them. With the help of your donations we can increase the number of girls funded for years to come. $585 US Dollars pays for the entire secondary school education for each girl.

Mchinji Research Centre: In 2006, IKI opened its headquarters in Malawi, named the Mchinji Research Centre. We thank the Mchinji District Health Office for their support and assistance to commence this important research centre. This centre is the home to our Malawi operations as well as several ongoing research projects in Malawi in the areas of health, demography, sociology, economics, and political science.

Future Goals

Libraries: IKI is currently raising funds to send more books to the Mchinji Library.

Courses: Please check back soon for information on courses in 2008.

Research:  We will continue to provide research support for social science and health projects in Malawi. If you would like to inquire about our services please email us at info@ikimalawi.org