Help Us Bring Critical Dental Care to Malawi!

For over two decades, the UNC Adams School of Dentistry’s Malawi Project has provided essential dental care to underserved communities in Lilongwe, Malawi, promoted oral health and HIV/AIDS education, and created meaningful cultural exchange opportunities for students and local providers alike.

This year we, Claudia Lemon, Seyi Ojo, Jean Okonkwo, and Folane Zeleke, are proud to carry this legacy forward as the 2025 UNC Malawi Project Team. From May 26 to June 6, 2025, we will travel to Lilongwe to offer preventive, restorative, and emergency dental services in communities with limited or no access to care.

Why This Mission Matters More Than Ever

In 2004, there were just 13 dentists for Malawi’s 10 million people. Today, despite some progress, there are only 43 dentists for a population of 18.8 million. That’s still one dentist per 437,000 people! And recent events have only deepened the need. In early 2025, USAID announced funding cuts to Malawi, placing an even greater strain on already limited healthcare resources. This mission directly responds to that urgent need.

A Mission of Empowerment

This trip is not only about delivering care. It’s about empowering communities, particularly women and girls, through education and representation. We'll help raise HIV/AIDS awareness, especially among women, who make up 60% of HIV cases in Malawi. As an all Black women team, we hope to inspire local girls to pursue education and careers in healthcare to see that their future can look different.

We're also exploring the launch of a scholarship for children graduating from Nafutsa Primary School, where we’ll provide oral hygiene instruction. Just $2,000 a year can fund a full high school education, a life-changing opportunity in a country where only 17% of girls go on to secondary school.

How You Can Help

Your donation will directly support our ability to make an impact. Here's how the funds will be used:

Make a Lasting Impact

This initiative is a mission to bring relief, knowledge, and hope to those who need it most and an opportunity to uphold UNC’s long tradition of compassionate, community-driven service.

Please consider donating and sharing our story. Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to making a difference in Malawi.

With gratitude,

The 2025 UNC Malawi Project Team

Claudia | Seyi | Jean | Folane