Our Story
Our story
It all began with a simple idea: what if everyone, everywhere, had access to the opportunities they deserve?
In 2019, a group of passionate students from the University of Michigan traveled to Malawi to work on a consulting project with OTK, an NGO led by the extraordinary Ida Puliwa.
Ida Puliwa was transforming lives by changing minds. She showed her community that a girl is never “just a girl” and proved that empowering girls to access education could unlock brighter futures and uplift her entire village.
From that moment, I Demand Access was born. We have been committed to finding and supporting community leaders who, like her, are fighting to break down barriers and empower the most vulnerable.
We believe that access to education, healthcare, and basic rights is not just a hope—it’s a demand. And together, with your support, we can turn that demand into reality
Vision
Smashing inequalities for girls and women in Malawi
Mission
To fuel Malawian girls to transform their world and inspire a limitless future
A SELF-SUSTAINING MODEL
Othakarhaka (OTK) has grown from just 16 volunteers to over 6,000, all working together to uplift their communities. The heart of their work is a powerful cycle: everyone who receives help is encouraged to give back.
For example, girls who receive education scholarships volunteer in the tree nursery or assist the elderly in their villages.
This volunteer-driven, “Pass on the Kindness” model is one of the first of its kind among nonprofits—proving that empowerment grows stronger when shared.
Every year, a group of volunteer educators offer girls empowering Arts camp that provide a platform for girls to participate in different activities such as poetry, dancing, soccer.
OTK promotes education through 4 key initiatives:
- Sponsoring students with scholarships from primary school through university
- Empowering teen mothers through sewing and business training
- Providing laptops and Hotspots for computer lessons in rural schools
- Running a community library with study materials and school supplies
OTK works to ensure every family has enough food to live while protecting the environment for future generations.
Through reforestation, sustainable farming, and tools like rocket stoves, OTK reduces deforestation, saves girls hours of walking for firewood, and empowers vulnerable farmers with the resources and training they need to grow their own food and build lasting self-sufficiency.
OTK brings free, life-changing healthcare to rural villages with a focus on keeping girls in school and families healthy. They provide:
- Menstrual hygiene education and reusable pad training to help girls stay in class
- Family planning and sex education to prevent teen pregnancies
- Cervical cancer screenings to save lives
Palliative care for patients with serious illnesses, easing the burden
OTK rescues young girls from forced marriages and provide the holistic support they need to eventually return to school, including counseling, food, and mentorship.
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Empowering Girls in Marginalized Communities
Your support helps girls from villages where access to education is limited due to factors like poverty, cultural norms, and gender inequality