When about 100 cyclists set off from Blantyre at around 7am on 6th June 2026, they carried more than water bottles and helmets. They carried a message that Malawi’s environment is worth fighting for, worth pedaling for, and worth every kilometre of the road to Mulanje.
The initiative, themed Cycle for Environment, was spearheaded by the Malawi Environmental Endowment Trust (MEET) in partnership with NGOs working in the Environment and Natural Resource Management (ENRM) sector, including the Coordination Union for Rehabilitation of Environment (CURE). The event doubled as a fundraiser for Michiru Mountain’s community scouts and a commemoration of World Environment Day, observed globally on 5th June each year.
The Cause: Michiru Mountain
The fundraising focus was clear and urgent. Michiru Mountain widely regarded as the last remaining green mountain within Blantyre city faces relentless pressure from deforestation, charcoal burning, illegal poaching, and sand mining. A dedicated team of community scouts has been working on the frontlines to protect it, often without adequate resources or incentives. This initiative stands as a beacon of hope, an ongoing model designed to mobilize resources to empower these communities with training, equipment, and livelihood activities.
A Ride with Purpose
The cyclists departed Blantyre through the Thyolo Road, weaving through busy market towns and trading centers before arriving at the Mulanje Golf Club in Mulanje District — a journey that was as much about public engagement as it was about physical endurance. Along the route, environmental awareness messages were delivered at key stops, bringing the conservation conversation directly to communities that live closest to the landscapes under threat.
At the center of it all was cycling champion Stewart Kambewa, who led the pack with energy and purpose, embodying the spirit of the day. In his remarks, Kambewa stressed that their participation as professional cyclists reflects an understanding of how cycling, as a sport, advances a greener and more sustainable world.
Kambewa reminded participants that, “this year’s World Bicycle Day, celebrated on 3rd June, took the theme ‘Cycling for a Greener Future’ — which is not a mere coincidence but a testament that the world recognizes the role cycling plays in environmental conservation.”
The Closing Ceremony (Mulanje Golf Club)
The closing ceremony at Mulanje Golf Club brought together a distinguished gathering of leaders and the cycling participants. The atmosphere was enlivened by speeches and a raffle draw, with prizes that included a mountain bike as the headline award, alongside meal coupons, accommodation vouchers, and branded T-shirts.
MEET’s Board Governance Chairperson, Mr. Lyson Kampira, thanked all participants for embracing the green cause and acknowledged the generosity of sponsors who stepped up to support the initiative.
The keynote address by Mr. Daniel Dunga, CEO of Nico Asset Managers, drew a sharp and memorable line between environmental conservation and economic prosperity, reminding the audience that planting a tree and refusing to destroy the environment remains one of the simplest yet most powerful investments any person can make.
Speaking on behalf of the scouts, John Mailosi offered a testimony that was both encouraging and sobering.
“We are positive about the progress we have made. Since we started our work, the rates of illegal activities like deforestation, poaching, and sand mining have reduced, because some individuals we caught have been charged. However, we face challenges including lack of food while working and other needs, since we sacrifice our livelihood activities to do scout work, this has seen over half of the scouts we started with stepping back. We started as 320; now we are only 125. We believe initiatives like this will improve our welfare and will also convince others to join us.”
His words were a powerful reminder of what is at stake not just for Michiru, but for Blantyre’s ecological future.
The Mulanje District Commissioner and Executive Directors from partner organizations also shared remarks on the importance of stakeholders joining hands in environmental management, reinforcing the cross-sectoral significance of the event.
In her closing remarks, MEET Coordinator Karen Price expressed satisfaction with the overall event, saying it served as a revival of an initiative that ought to be held annually going forward.
Price said, “As an ongoing initiative, we will build on what has been raised and will continue to engage with potential sponsors and partners to ensure the fund is sustainable and Michiru’s frontline scouts are constantly empowered for the betterment of the mountain.”
She thanked all partners and sponsors for contributing to the success of the event and for pumping funds into the community scouts’ fund, expressing optimism that this year’s lessons will inform better planning and execution in subsequent years.
Nine Million and Counting
By the close of the event, approximately MK9 million had been raised — a remarkable achievement, and one that the organizers are building on. Fundraising remains open as the initiative works toward an initial target of at least MK40 million, with all proceeds destined for a dedicated trust fund to be managed by MEET in support of Michiru Mountain’s community scouts.
Rallying the Network — CURE’s Role in the Initiative
The Cycle for Environment initiative was brought to the wider civil society network by MEET, which approached partner organizations — including CURE — to help organize and mobilize participants. CURE rose to the occasion, supporting the galvanizing of network members, coordinating logistical arrangements, and ensuring the event carried the full weight of a united civil society voice. CURE’s team was part of the central organizing committee, ensuring prior publicity and visibility, as well as on-the-event support along the route.
Serving as the Organizing Committee Chair and leading the Publicity Subcommittee, CURE’s Advocacy and Communications Officer, Mr. Precious Chimkande, also had the honor of hosting the closing ceremony at Mulanje Golf Club, guiding speeches, presentations, and the celebratory raffle draw that capped a historic day.
The road from Blantyre to Mulanje was just the beginning. For MEET and for the network of civil society organizations that came together on that June morning, the journey to protect Malawi’s environment continues — one pedal stroke at a time.
To contribute to the Michiru Mountain Scout Support Fund, contact MEET directly on +265 993 742 254. Every kwacha counts
