The Tongole Foundation is a charity working to meet the economic, social and environmental needs of the most vulnerable communities within Africa and more specifically the Nkhotakota district of Malawi.
 
The Tongole Foundation is currently working with three schools in the area; The Mwalawatongole F.P. School, Wozi J.P. School and Chankhokwe F.P. School. It is clear that Malawi faces serious challenges in the future, such as the combination of poverty, high population growth and increasing pressure on agricultural land and national parks. The grip of poverty hampers development, not only in the financial sense but also in terms of education, AIDS prevention, family life and the sustainable management of the country's rich natural resources and wildlife.
 
 
The Tongole Foundation is currently working with three schools The Mwalawatongole F.P. School, Wozi J.P. School and Chankhokwe F.P. School.
 
We believe it is the poor themselves who understand first hand the causes, nature and extent of the challenges they face. In 2009 we met with representatives of each of the schools, including the Head Teacher, Teaching Staff and Governors and asked them to identify their priorities for assistance. Projects include water and sanitation, education, vocational training and the promotion of community driven conservation / eco-tourism enterprises which encourage people to view wildlife as an asset and not a liability. The Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is the oldest established reserve in Malawi and is one of the country's last remaining wilderness areas. The largest of Malawi's wildlife reserves, it is situated 115km to the North East of Lilongwe, on top of the Rift Valley escarpment above the lake. The area is dominated by rugged hills and vast tracts of dense forest and miombo woodland.
 
A wide variety of different animal species live within the park including elephants, lion, leopard, buffalo and hyenas. There are more than 300 species of bird recorded including Pel's Fishing Owl and Palmnut Vulture.
 
Despite the richness and diversity of local habitats in this area, an exploding population and desperately high levels of poverty are putting a huge strain on the delicate relationship between the local people and the surrounding environment. By working with the local communities, The Tongole Foundation aims to achieve the long term conservation of threatened habitats and species in the Nkhotakota area.