The Mama Malaika Restaurant finally opens its doors

After an extensive planning and construction phase — the garden spruced up, buildings freshly painted, and initial structures put in place — we finally officially opened the Mama Malaika Restaurant in October and November 2025. The restaurant is coordinated by Lena Lingen and Marion O’Donnokoé.

Here, women from our former Family Friends project, “chakula kitamu” — delicious, fresh, and local food — cook in a colourful, vibrant, and family-like atmosphere. The name Mama Malaika stands for security, community, and warmth.

To be honest, the start has been more challenging than anticipated. Results have varied so far and some have been negative — partly because we lost the regular clientele of volunteer helpers from Villa Viva. We are working to attract new regular customers from the neighbourhood and to stabilise the restaurant financially.

The restaurant is located in Mianzini, just a few steps from our project houses. Its development was made possible by the generous support of an individual sponsor and further donations. Women from the project actively contributed their ideas, skills and decisions from the outset. With local food at local prices and its garden, the restaurant is a place for meeting, cultural exchange and solidarity. Every meal supports our social projects.