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Director of Programme Operations, Mary’s Meals International.

 
Panji

Panji Kajani is an esteemed International Development practitioner from Malawi, who has played a crucial role in the growth and success of Mary’s Meals in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In 2014, he spearheaded the launch of Mary’s Meals in Zambia, which began by reaching just over 18,000 children in 25 schools. By the time he left the country programme at the end of 2025, it was reaching more than 700,000 children in over 1,500 schools every school day.He now serves as Director of Programme Operations at Mary’s Meals International (MMI).

As Director of Programme Operations at Mary’s Meals International (MMI), Panji provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to support the effective delivery and continued growth of Mary’s Meals’ school feeding programmes.

Panji’s academic credentials include an MSc in Leadership and Change Management from Leeds Beckett University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Malawi. His extensive training spans Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Management of HIV/AIDS Programmes, Early Childhood Development, Gender, and International Development Cooperation. Before joining Mary’s Meals, Panji worked for the Malawi Government, Oxfam, Standard Bank, Concern Universal (United Purpose), and Save the Children.

A compelling and insightful speaker, Panji brings a wealth of knowledge, charisma and first-hand experience to his engagements. An authoritative voice for Mary’s Meals, he frequently represents the organisation at public engagements, including the Princess of Asturias Awards in Spain in 2023.

 

Speaking topics: 

Global child hunger; food insecurity; impact of climate change on communities experiencing poverty; the role of school feeding in international development; collaboration for generational change; the role of school feeding during early years and primary education; Mary’s Meals’ contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals; responding to emergency situations; school feeding in complex contexts; identifying areas of great need and ways to reach children most in need; the importance of robust operational strategies in non-profits; logistics of large-scale school feeding in remote areas; delivering school feeding through a low-cost model; community ownership; volunteer-led working

 

Speaking engagements/experience 

Princess of Asturias Awards, Spain (2023)
Panji represented Mary’s Meals during the Princess of Asturias Award for Concord engagements in Spain, taking part in media interviews and a public press conference. Euronews interview Press conference video 

Global Trade Review (GTR), Cape Town (March 2024)
Panji spoke at Global Trade Review’s Cape Town event, sharing Mary’s Meals’ experience with an international audience. 

Night of Hope, Munich, Germany (2024)
Panji spoke at Night of Hope in Munich in 2024, sharing Mary’s Meals’ experience and impact with an international audience.

The role that African Philanthropy can fulfil in strengthening resilience for food security and nutrition, University of Zambia (2022)
Panji contributed to discussions on food security, nutrition and resilience in Zambia. 

Emergency in Southern Africa / educational crisis video feature
Panji has featured in Mary’s Meals video content on drought, food insecurity and the impact on children and communities in Southern Africa. YouTube video   Mary’s Meals article 

ZNBC TV1 – Feeding the Next Child (World Porridge Day 2025)
Panji featured in a recorded ZNBC Today segment highlighting Mary’s Meals Zambia’s work and the impact of school feeding. ZNBC video