The Big Issue Malawi

[2] The project's facilitator is a local charity known as the "Culture Awakening Society"[2][3] The Big Issue Malawi project started on 24 January 2009 with the first issue of the magazine coming out in January 2009.

[2] The founder and current Executive Chairman of the project, Dr. John Chikago, imported the street paper concept from Japan, where he was working as Malawi's ambassador.

He said that he was fascinated by the experience of The Big Issue Japan and decided to establish a similar project in Malawi.

[2] The Big Issue Malawi is currently sold in the main Malawian cities: Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba, Mzuzu and Karonga.

[3] They are trained in business management skills and sign a code of conduct outlining rules they must adhere while selling the magazine (including no begging, no drinking, no swearing and no harassment of the public[2]) and are issued an official identity card.