Model Nana: Changing the narrative of the elderly persons at 83

In many rural and semi-urban areas, old age is something people never wish to happen because  of the negativity it attracts.

Harmful traditional practices, beliefs  and illiteracy make some people fail to understand complex issues such as triggers of mental health. These expose elderly persons to violence, discrimination and neglect within family and community settings.

“Few people know that loneliness,  lack of care and economic exploitation can trigger stress among people and cause serious mental issues,” observed mental health advocate Jefferson Milanzi of Tibe Khonde initiative.

He said neglect, lack of care, loneliness and discrimination are some of the silent causes of stress and depression among people,  especially among elderly people.

“Therefore,  we need to join hands to address these hidden issues by raising awareness about them,” he said.

Commemoration of this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was on June 15 2026. Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) chairperson Chikondi Chijozi-Jere said about 68 percent increase in documented attacks and abuse of the elderly persons in Malawi between 2020 and 2021.

“Older persons aged 60 and above constitute over five percent of Malawi’s population. Despite their contributions to family and national life, they continue to face grave human rights violations: physical violence, psychological abuse, economic exploitation,  social exclusion and killings rooted in witchcraft accusations. This signals a structural crisis,” she said.

Gogo Nana’s plight of witchcraft accusation:

Witchcraft accusations, lack of love and care are some of the factors which 83-year-old Nasitima Chikadwala from Dzama Village in Lilongwe experienced due to her barreness and economic challenges.

In a video testimony shared on Mai Mbambande Facebook page, gogo Nasitima, who is fondly called model Nana, testified how she became a laughing stalk in her village due to her old age,  barreness and poverty.

“I was accused of witchcraft because I was unable to bear children. Thus I have never experienced peace and love in my life. And this used to stress me alot and lI was always lonely and hungry,” narrated model Nana.

She said her situation was worsened by the demise of her beloved husband.

Her transformation:

However,  it was until she joined Mai Mbambande Foundation,  an elderly home to over 70 elderly persons in her community, when she was given a new lease of life.

“Poverty, discrimination and other challenges can make you look like a witch or bad person in society due negative mentality and harmful practices and beliefs that people hold against elderly persons.

“But my life transformed when I joined Mai Mbambande Foundation which gave me shelter, food, clothing and love. Surprisingly,  the very people who were accusing me of witchcraft became my cheerleaders upon seeing my transformation at Mai Mbambande. Life can be fun. When you are struggling,  people can accuse of anything they see fit, including witchcraft. But this is sad,” observed model Nana.

Mai Mbambande Foundation also built model Nana a house in her village, which ended her housing challenges. She used to live in a dilapidated ramshackle before Mai Mbambande’s intervention.

Meanwhile, Mai Mbambande Foundation is using gogo Nasitima Chikadwala as a model who is championing good cause and changing the narrative of the elderly persons in the country. In fact, her duty is to spread love and kindness to inspire hope and courage  among people.

No matter what circumstances,  people should have reasons to smile, hope and bounce back to normal life. This programme advances this cause.

Founder of Mai Mbambande Foundation Deborah Mbale said as beacon of hope for the elderly, they use Nana’s powerful story to spread love and kindness to other people.

“We introduced Nana’s Love programme to champion love and kindness in our society. We use model Nana’s story to shape the narrative of the elderly persons in the country. We believe the elderly persons are agents of change who can shape our society into a better place for elderly citizens.

“For us, Nana’s Love is more than just a programme. It is a powerful movement of kindness, compassion, love, and hope. A safe space where broken hearts are comforted, lonely souls are reminded that they matter, and people are shown genuine care and humanity,” she said.

Community impact:

Basically,  Nana’s Love goes out to different people on different occasions such as sickness,  graduation or the workplace to spread love, compassion and kindness. Led by model Nana, the visits are lively with fictious smiles, warm hugs and soothing conversations from ever-smiling Nana.

Mbale expressed gratitude with the way model Nana excutes the programme, Nana’s Love.

“Through every visit, every smile, every hug, and every act of love, lives are being touched and hearts are healing. Nana’s Love is proof that even the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s world forever,” she said.

According to Mbale,  lack of care and understanding of issues that come with old age were the main causes of worsening neglect and discrimination against elderly persons in the country.

She justified the choice of model Nana as champion of change, saying her story was unique.

“Apart from having a unique story, model Nana is active. She is always eager to express herself and interact with people.

We equally use other models as agents of change to inspire hope in their respective communities. And we are happy to report that community members are now embracingnour philosophy that with love and care every elderly person can be transformed into a better member of the  community,” said Mbale.

However,  the sad reality on the ground is that model Nana is accomplishing this task at a time other elderly persons her age are being neglected and accused of witchcraft due to old age and desperation.

Model Nana said there was a need for communities to change their mindset towards the elderly people.

“I haven’t experienced the love and care until Mai Mbambande Foundation showed me. So, I enjoy traveling and meeting different people to spread love and kindness because these are the basic things that people fail to realise their full potential and live happily in our communities. Without love and care, this world can be a dangerous place for everyone.

“It is possible for elderly people to become anything and contribute positively to the development of their communities only if people can change their mindset towards them. Elderly people are not wizards and witches. All they need is love and care for them to build good health, hope,  confidence and resilience,” remarked Nana.

On numerous occasions, model Nana alongside Mai Mbambande Foundation have organised surprise visits to people of different social backgrounds to cheer them up as well as gift them traditional stuff.

For example, on 28 May 2026, Nana’s Love paid a special surprise visit to Mama Gondwe in honour of her graduation.

Gondwe described the surprise visit as a heartfelt gesture which lighted up her spirit towards her academic journey and excellence.

Model Nana together with Mai Mbambande have also visited other distinguished people like Members of Parliament. They usually carry with them agricultural produces to gift the people they visit.

Way forward:

Model Nana urged children and communities in the country to love and care for their grandparents, saying they are treasures not witches.

“Many elderly persons in the country, particularly in rural areas, fail to fend for themselves due to old age. So, I urge children and other community members to support them because this is the only way they can be empowered to escape poverty, violence and discrimination which I once faced,” urged model Nana.

She emphasized that love, care and kindness fuel happiness and long life among people, including the elderly, anywhere in the world.

Apart from serving as a model for spreading love and kindness, Nana is also a fashion model at Mai Mbambande who always kill it.

Mai Mbambande Foundation incorporates leisure activities such as games, dancing and fashion to keep the elderly persons active all the time.

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