Eneless Banda - Coming Full Circle
Eneless Banda's journey comes full circle through her work with Malawi Children’s Mission. Growing up in circumstances similar to many of the children MCM serves today, Eneless understands firsthand the challenges of poverty, trauma, and limited opportunity. Through determination and education, she went on to graduate from university in Malawi and began working with MCM in 2016 as the Young Women’s Initiative Coordinator and Orphan Support Program Coordinator. Over the years, her ability to connect deeply with children and families made a lasting impact because she not only served them, she understood them.
From 2023–2025, Eneless pursued her Master of Social Work degree at Binghamton University in New York with the clear intention of returning home to serve the MCM community. Through her studies and hands-on training, she gained valuable skills and evidence-based practices in mental health, trauma-informed care, counseling, and emotional support that directly translate to the needs of the children, families, and staff MCM serves each day. Today, as MCM’s Director of Mental Health Services, she is doing exactly that through the creation of the MCM Mental Wellness Program.
Designed to support growth, healing, and resilience across the MCM community, the program provides mental health education, individualized support, and practical skills-building for staff, children, and guardians. Built around the belief that every person deserves to feel heard, valued, and empowered, the program creates safe spaces for learning, reflection, and emotional growth.
The initiative currently includes interactive mental health workshops for MCM staff that focus on relatable, practical topics encouraging self-awareness and emotional wellbeing. By investing in the mental wellness of staff, MCM is equipping the very people who care for and interact with children each day with the tools needed to better support them. Sessions are tailored to meet participants where they are, including Chichewa-based workshops for kitchen staff, ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all. Games, activities, and open discussion help create a relaxed and engaging environment where participants feel comfortable sharing and learning together.
The impact is already being felt throughout the MCM community. One participant shared, “This program is not only helping me to be a better employee, but also a better human being overall.” Another reflected, “Every time I learn something new and applicable to my family, I take it and share it with my family members.”
In addition to staff training, the Mental Wellness Program also provides individualized therapy and behavioral support for children facing challenges at home, in school, or within their social environments. Through this work, Eneless is helping MCM strengthen not only minds, but families and communities as well creating healthier foundations for children to thrive and reach their full potential.
