Unicaf University, through its Student Affairs Office, hosted a transformative Mental Health and Resilience Workshop on 12th November 2025 at Zoe Foundation Orphanage in Area 51, Lilongwe. The initiative forms part of the University’s ongoing community engagement efforts aimed at promoting emotional well-being, mental health awareness, and resilience among orphaned and vulnerable children across Malawi.
The Unicaf University team, comprising eight students and two staff members, was warmly welcomed by the orphanage’s caregivers, including Mrs Banda and Mrs Zoe. Zoe Foundation provides a safe home for 92 orphaned and vulnerable children, supporting their education and personal development. On the day, the team interacted with 32 children from nursery age to Standard 6, as senior learners were attending classes at various schools.
Speaking during the opening session, Ms Mayamiko Phiri, Programme Leader for Organisational Psychology, highlighted the importance of nurturing emotional intelligence at an early age and explained that the workshop was designed to help children understand their feelings, build confidence, and develop coping strategies through fun, participatory activities.
The workshop featured a series of interactive sessions facilitated by Unicaf University students from various programmes, with staff guidance from Ms Phiri and Mr Limbani Mwale, Student Affairs Officer. Activities included:
- Recognising Emotions Through Drawing – Children illustrated different emotions, helping them understand and express their feelings empathetically.
- Expressing Feelings Through Art – Participants created drawings reflecting how they felt, promoting self-awareness and safe emotional expression.
- Understanding Actions and Emotions – A gesture-based game that strengthened non-verbal communication, teamwork, and emotional interpretation.
- Positive Affirmations – Children wrote uplifting statements about themselves to boost self-confidence and a positive mindset.
- The Gratitude Jar – Participants noted what they were grateful for, fostering appreciation and emotional positivity.
- Overcoming Challenges – A guided discussion on identifying personal challenges and developing healthy, optimistic strategies to address them.
To support the children’s ongoing learning, the Unicaf University team distributed notebooks and pens at the end of the session – both as practical resources and symbols of encouragement to continue reading, writing, and expressing themselves creatively.
The workshop delivered several key outcomes, including enhanced emotional awareness, improved self-esteem, stronger social bonds, and better problem-solving skills. It also offered Unicaf University students valuable experiential learning in community-based mental health promotion and child welfare interventions.
In her closing remarks, Ms Phiri thanked the Zoe Foundation team for their warm hospitality and encouraged the children to continue practising the skills learned – supporting one another, expressing their emotions openly, and believing in their abilities.
This outreach initiative reinforces Unicaf University’s commitment to social responsibility, mental health awareness, and sustainable community engagement. A post-event story featuring selected visuals will be shared across the University’s platforms to highlight this important collaboration.
