About Us

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How Orant was founded

Orant Charities began in 2006 by two friends from Texas, USA who wanted to make a difference in the world. After a year of traveling and researching where they could have the largest impact, they decided on Central Malawi.

What began as humble medical programs with volunteer doctors soon became more. Orant began drilling water wells, sponsoring students, and getting involved in local life.

In 2014, Orant purchased a clinic. As Orant expanded, so did its concept of charity. With the help of Malawian stakeholders, Orant created Orant Charities Africa, a local Malawian NGO. This shifted Orant from a foreign aid organization into a global-local partnership. Now, Orant Charities Africa runs all programs locally.

Orant Charities US offers support from abroad.

Visit Orant Charities Africa

Abel Peña

Executive Director
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Abel Peña is a seasoned leader in international NGO work and transformative humanitarian efforts, bringing over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. With a deep commitment to global development, and economic empowerment, he has worked across corporate, nonprofit, academic, and financial landscapes, fostering impactful change worldwide.

Abel, a firm advocate of servant leadership, places a high priority on the growth, well-being, and empowerment of staff, stakeholders, and underserved communities. He excels at translating organizational objectives into actionable plans, building strong cross-cultural relationships, and aligning people, processes, and operational strategies to maximize effectiveness.
Erin Hearn

Lead Development Officer
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Erin Hearn is a mission driven development professional, with nearly a decade of experience working with dynamic nonprofit institutions to help them meet and exceed their fundraising needs. Deeply committed to doing good in the world and making a difference where it’s most needed, Erin utilizes her expertise to build strong relationships, and drive sustainable fundraising efforts to help organizations expand their impact.
Molly Horn-Smith

Lead Marketing and Communications Officer
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With 20+ years of experience in design and marketing, Molly brings a wealth of experience to the table at Orant. She has a background in fine art and graphic design as well as a degree in social work, giving her a unique perspective on humanitarian issues and how to approach them from a communications and marketing perspective. Molly lives in Whitney, Texas, with her husband and daughter and an excessive amount of animals.
Gianella Flores

Assistant Development Officer
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Gia Flores joined Orant Charities in May 2024, where she discovered a newfound passion for fundraising and making a positive impact on the lives of those in Malawi. She is a proud graduate of the University of Dallas where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Business and Psychology. She is continuing her education at Midwestern State University to receive her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is deeply committed to advocating for mental health and supporting individuals in their journey of reaching their fullest potential. Excited for what lies ahead, Gia is ready to embrace a new chapter in life filled with travel and adventure as a newlywed alongside her husband, Gustavo.