Chiwoza Bandawe

Health | Malawi

2020 New Voices Fellow

Chiwoza

Chiwoza is the only clinical psychologist in Malawi and works tirelessly to dispel myths about mental illnesses. Chiwoza was convinced he would be a lawyer until he took a psychology course during his undergraduate studies and fell in love with the field. He strongly believes that Euro-centric approaches to mental health will not work in an African context. He teaches at the University of Malawi, focusing on an Afro-centric approach to the field. Chiwoza has also engaged religious leaders in Malawi to raise awareness about mental health and hope to use religious leaders as first responders to mental health crises in their communities.