Roxanne Matewere

Roxanne Matewere (12), is from Malawi. Roxanne’s mission began with a heartbreaking story — a 7-year-old girl who lost her way home from school was exploited by a security guard while sleeping on the street in Lilongwe, Malawi. Roxanne learned of this while visiting the hospital with her mother to see a sick relative, and it changed her forever.

Determined to protect other children from the same fate, Roxanne sold her own paintings to raise funds and helped rehabilitate a shelter for street-connected children. She presented an appeal directly to Malawi’s First Lady, Madam Monica Chakwera, and raised awareness among over 500 fellow students and church members about the dangers street children face.

Roxanne mobilized other children to join her campaign, helping raise resources for food and care, and organized community sports activities to spread awareness even further.

Thanks to her efforts, fewer children are living on the streets, and those rescued now have better access to health care, protection, and education — proof that even a 12-year-old’s compassion can change lives.