About us

The Pangani Foundation was created by John Pangani in 2005. Born in Malawi, Africa, he moved to the United States in 1992. As a child in Malawi, he took his parents' advice to heart. Helping others was a part of his mother and father's life lessons, as they not only imparted this wisdom in words but also in deeds. 

It was through watching and listening to his parents, that he began to look outside of himself and take notice of things around him. One of the issues that troubled him as a child were the bathroom facilities in schools. Oftentimes, they were roofless pit latrines with dirt floors and very little privacy. Bathroom facilities have changed little since Pangani's youth. Approximately 80% of schools across Malawi still have restrooms with these conditions. Because of this, many girls not only during his childhood but also today, drop out of school at puberty because of privacy issues and poor sanitary conditions.

Much like his parents, Pangani has always had a giving heart, and when he came to America he began outreach work with his local church, friends, and family. He sponsored and ran the South Bend Reggae Music Festival for ten years which collected donations for local organizations such as the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and Dismas House of South Bend, Indiana, as well as collecting medical supplies for hospitals back home in Malawi. He also organized trips for the youth in his local Indiana community by sponsoring trips to area zoos and museums.

His generous nature did not stop there. He officially registered his nonprofit foundation under 501(c)(3) in 2005 and began to expand his outreach. He created a catering/food truck company called Taste of Caribbean and Beyond to assist in his fundraising efforts. Over the years, he has continued to make an impact in both America and Malawi. 

The Pangani Foundation has donated food, blankets, medical supplies, and hospital beds to Mulanje Mission Hospital and Mulanje District Hospital, built restroom facilities for Mpondas Primary School, Mkazimasika Primary School, Sungo Bay Primary School, and has partnered with Migowi School for the Deaf and assisted in building a home for the Head Mistress. The foundation also distributes food, sporting equipment, and feminine supplies to remote villages.