At BBS, we believe in the power of partnerships built on trust, shared values, and a deep commitment to community-led change. So when our long-standing Malawi partner shared that they were entering a new chapter of growth and renewal, we were proud to stand alongside them as they made it official.
Formerly known as Chitani Community Sustainable Development Organisation, the organisation has become Community Rise Organization (CRO). While the name has changed, the heart of the work remains the same: empowering women, young people, and marginalised communities across Malawi’s Blantyre Rural and Mulanje Districts.
Why the Change?
The name “Chitani” came from a well located along a river in the village where the organization was founded. Deeply rooted in local history and identity, the name carried significant meaning for the team and the communities they serve.
However, as the organisation has grown, the team felt it was time for a name that more clearly reflected both their mission and their vision for the future.
“As we think about growing to the national level, the team decided to change. We wanted to be a mission-driven organisation starting from the name.” – Community Rise Organization
The new name captures exactly that. “Community” reflects the people-centred nature of their work, while “Rise” speaks to the belief that with the right support, people and communities can thrive.
Same Mission, Sharper Vision
Although the organization’s identity has evolved, its purpose remains firmly rooted in inclusion, empowerment, and locally led development.
The team describes the transition as a refinement rather than a redirection, and an opportunity to ensure their mission and vision fully reflect the breadth of the communities they support.
Their new vision
A resilient, inclusive community where marginalised people thrive with dignity and opportunity.
Their new mission
To empower marginalised communities, including women, youth, children, and persons with disabilities, through equitable access to education, health, and economic opportunity, building resilience and inclusion with locally led solutions.
Importantly, CRO’s strategic priorities remain unchanged:
- Access to education
- Access to health services
- Economic empowerment
- Food security and climate resilience
- Rights, advocacy, and social inclusion
This is continuity with greater clarity, with a stronger reflection of who CRO is and the impact they are working to achieve.
A Logo Designed With Meaning
Alongside the new name, CRO has also unveiled a new logo designed to visually represent the organisation’s values and aspirations.
Each element carries intentional meaning:
- The circular badge symbolises unity, inclusion, and wholeness, reinforcing the belief that everyone belongs and no one should be left behind.
- The two figures with raised arms, shown in dark blue to represent trust and stability, reflect intergenerational support, celebration, and shared success.
- The green hands beneath the figures symbolise care, support, and grassroots action, while the colour green reflects growth and renewal.
- The rising sun, in orange and yellow, represents hope, new beginnings, and the energy of communities moving forward together.
Together, the logo tells a powerful story of support, resilience, and collective progress.
Continuing Our Work Together
BBS has proudly partnered with the organisation through our microbusiness incubator programme, supporting women in Malawi to start and grow small businesses and, in doing so, helping break cycles of generational poverty.
That work continues uninterrupted under the new name.
As the CRO team emphasised, nothing has changed for beneficiaries, partners, or the communities they serve. The people remain the same, the programmes remain the same, and the commitment remains the same.
The new identity simply reflects who they have always been — and who they are continuing to become.
Looking Ahead: 2026–2030
Building on more than two decades of grassroots service, and having reached more than 40,000 people across 80 villages between 2020 and 2025, Community Rise Organization has launched an ambitious new strategic plan for 2026–2030.
Their goals include:
- Directly reaching 50,000 people through their programmes
- Expanding operations beyond Blantyre Rural and Mulanje into additional districts
- Strengthening long-term sustainability through diversified funding
- Deepening impact across education, women’s economic empowerment, food security, community health, and rights advocacy
Everyone at BBS wishes Community Rise Organization every success as they continue this exciting next chapter.
We look forward to seeing their impact continue to grow in the years ahead.
