who we are

About COGH

Centre of Good Hope (COGH) is a non-governmental organization based in Chilomoni, Blantyre, dedicated to equipping young people with practical skills for economic participation and self-reliance. Established in 2015 from Souls for Jesus Ministries International, COGH operates as an inclusive and independent entity, serving youth without discrimination.

Through vocational training in tailoring, bricklaying, welding, fabrication, and media, alongside sports, social services, and disaster relief programs, COGH has trained over 300 youth, supported more than 50 to complete secondary education, contributed to the establishment of Graso High School, and promoted local talent and community resilience.

COGH exists to address youth unemployment and skills gaps in Malawi by providing accessible, relevant training that aligns with national development priorities, including Malawi Vision 2063. Its mission is straightforward: empower youth, strengthen communities, and contribute meaningfully to socioeconomic growth.

Our mission

We are committed to training youths in a range of marketable skills and supporting communities by providing a conducive skills-development environment that enhances the empowerment and improvement of the well-being of communities.

Our vision

We envision skilled and self-reliant youths who can uplift their well-being, and good citizens equipped to contribute towards socio-economic growth in their communities and country.

Our Goal

To promote youth economic empowerment in communities through vocational training, music and media, social service provision, and relief support to enhance youths’ employability, support their personal development, and encourage active citizenship.

What we Do

Our Objectives

  • To enhance capacity building of the youth in marketable and employable skill sets through vocational training with music and media inclusive.
  • To provide and support social services that are essential to youth development including primary and secondary schools, clinics, etc., in communities. 
  • To improve the participation of youth in economic activities through the establishment of income-generating enterprises that employ trained or skilled youths in communities.
  • To support improvement of the wellbeing of youth and their communities through charity and relief activities. (Clean water programs-Wells and Draw, Old people relief programs-Food, clothes, and shelter.)

Our Values

  • Youth participation and program implementation in the best interest of the youth
  • Non-discrimination based on age, sex, marital status, culture, religion, ethnicity, disability, and other vulnerabilities including HIV status
  • Respect for individual human dignity, culture, democracy, human rights, and rule of law; elders and others, people’s beliefs and views, one’s cultural values
  • Respect for the rights of young people as provided for in the Republican Constitution
  • Respect for gender equality and equity of opportunities
  • Regard for the environment for sustainable development
  • Promotion of unity and discipline
  • Promotion of self-development and education (including vocational and tertiary education)
  • Commitment of organization members
  • Partnerships with relevant organizations in supporting implementation of strategic plan

Our Statement of Faith

  • We believe the Bible is inspired by God and the only true Word of God.
  • We believe that there is one triune God, eternally existent: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
  • We believe that the only means of being cleansed and forgiven from sin is through repentance and faith through the blood of Jesus Christ.
  • We believe that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is necessary for personal salvation, sanctification and spiritual growth.
  • We believe that the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross provides healing for the human body and mind.
  • We believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to believers who ask for it, and the fruits of the Spirit should be evident in the life of every believer.
  • We believe in the words of Jesus that the harvest is plentiful and we are commissioned to go into all the world to share the gospel of Jesus Christ until Jesus returns.
  • We believe that Christ gave the fivefold ministry to equip his people so that the body of Christ will be built up and reach maturity.

Our Key Programmes

Vocational Training

Music and Media

Leadership and Discipleship Training

Charity and Relief

Sports and Entertainment

What we Do

Our Team

GIFT SOZELA

Director/ Manager

Gift Sozela is the Director of the Centre of Good Hope and a seasoned missionary serving in Malawi and Mozambique. With a background in Missions from Iso-Kirja Bible School in Finland and a qualification in Media and Arts from North Karelia College, Gift brings together leadership, communication, and creative strategy to strengthen churches and mentor emerging leaders.

Raised in challenging circumstances, he developed resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to transformation. His experience spans media production, logistics, community leadership, and cross-cultural ministry across Africa and Europe. He has served in national media platforms including TV7, TV2, and OI FM, and has led multicultural worship teams in Finland.

Gift currently serves as Board Chairman of Libenzell Malawi and Executive Leader of Souls for Jesus Ministries. Through the Centre of Good Hope, he is dedicated to empowering youth, equipping leaders, and building sustainable faith-based communities.

Dr. Alice Mtalimanja

Board Member

Dr Alice Mtalimanja is a wife, mother, and scientist with a background in viral immunology. She is also a public speaker and coach, passionate about helping people discover their purpose and live intentionally.

Rachel Pitroipa

Board Member

Rachel Pitroipa is an architect from France and Burkina Faso. She is happily married and, together with her husband, serves as a missionary in Malawi. Rachel is passionate about using her professional skills and her faith to serve and strengthen local communities through meaningful and sustainable impact.

Jimmy Chipojola

Board Member

ULLA SOZELA

Board Member/Headmaster

Ulla Sozela is a Board Member of Centre of Good Hope and Country Program Manager for FIDA International. She has served as a missionary in Malawi since 2019 with her family. She is the wife of Gift Sozela and mother of three children.

Ulla serves as Headmaster of the Centre of Good Hope Discipleship and Vocational Training School, contributing to policymaking, reporting, and funding applications.

She holds a Nursing degree from North Karelia University of Applied Sciences and applies her expertise in health-related training. With over 20 years of volunteer experience in children’s, youth, and cross-cultural women’s ministry, she is passionate about discipleship and empowering women, youth, and leaders through teaching and mentoring.

PHILLIP CHITSONGA

Head of Finance

Phillip serves as Head of Finance at Centre of Good Hope, providing strategic financial oversight and accountability. His professional experience includes finance roles at Blantyre Water Board and auditing with Liebenzell Mission International. With a strong commitment to integrity and stewardship, Phillip supports sustainable organizational growth. He is also a musician and worship leader at Flood Church Blantyre, reflecting his faith-driven leadership approach.

Roy Chirwa

Board Member

Roy Chirwa is a seasoned Human Resources professional with extensive experience in the field. He currently serves as General Manager, Human Resources, in a food manufacturing company. Roy is also a Director of Future SACCO, a savings and credit cooperative. In addition to his corporate leadership roles, he serves in various church and ministry capacities, including Church Secretary and board-level positions. He is married and blessed with four children.

Andrew Kholowa

Secretary

Andrew Kholowa serves as the Secretary for the Center of Good Hope in Chilomoni, where he leads strategic planning and project development initiatives.

​Professionally, Andrew is a Revenue Officer with the Malawi Revenue Authority, specializing in tax compliance and enforcement. He is also currently advancing his expertise in national growth as a Master of Arts in Development Studies candidate at the University of Malawi.

 Outside of his leadership and academic pursuits, Andrew is a talented guitarist and an active member of his church.