Foundation for Community Support Services (FOCUS) is a non-political,non-profit making non-governmental organization that was formed in January 2000. It was established to reproductive healthy issues affecting the youth, women and other vulnerable groups-commercial Sex Workers. FOCUS registered with Trustees Incorporation Act (1962) in September 2001, with National Youth Council of Malawi under the National Youth Council (1996) Act in 2005. FOCUS is a paid up member of several networks like Council for NGOs in Malawi (CONGOMA), Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organisations (MANASO) and founding member of Forum for Non Governmental oganisations in Youth Development (FONYODE) to be registered under the Trustees soon. FOCUS is also registered with the Malawi NGO Board and currently chairs the Karonga District Network of AIDS Service Organisations, Chairs District AIDS Coordinating Committee (DACC),Twikalirane NGO Network (Twikalirane is an umbrella of local and International NGOs based in Karonga District , deputise FONYODE and also serve in the national Governing Council of CONGOMA as a member on the 7th September in 2007.
Programme Areas
 
-Youth Participation and Empowerment
-Gender and Women's Empowerment
-Advocacy and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC)
-Care and Support (including OVC, the chronically ill and people living with HIV and AIDS)
-Monitoring and Evaluation
 
FOCUS Uniqueness
As the only indigenous local NGO based in Karonga, FOCUS has proved that impossibilities could become possibilities in transforming the mindsets of individuals working in communities that are less serviced and that demands are driven by the beneficiaries. Vulnerable groups such as those of women, youths and commercial sex workers could be turned into responsible and potential agents of change through the rights based programming. In this approach, FOCUS believes in:
-Developing responsive programmes that are geared towards addressing the actual needs of the vulnerable groups.
-Operating in remote geographical areas that are less served.
-Comprehensive CBOs' skills and empowerment at various levels including building community competencies.
-Sound structures at all levels of the developmental hierarchy.
-Realising the impact of its programmes at all levels.

The Approach
FOCUS' approach focuses on the empowerment of rural communities in Malawi. It is unique in its perception of development and methodologies used to attain the goals. FOCUS' development approach and methodology are founded on Participatory Learning Action. It believes in and uses the Participatory Community Competence Building Methodology that empowers the communities to take charge of their own developmental initiatives. This methodology critically looks at the following 3 major building blocks:
-Solidarity and willingness to serve the under privileged.
-Sustainable resources.
-Skills and knowledge.