Funds raised outside Malawi to support the Foundation’s objectives are spent on the Microloans programme, the Farming Improvement Programme and the Academy (adult literacy and numeracy classes). Examples of individuals’ achievements can be found across this website but here’s an overview:
The Microloans programme involves giving marketing and business skills training to prospective loantakers; helping them to devise a business plan; and monitoring and advising them during their 10-month loan repayment period. The Foundation’s Programme Manager, Emily Nkhoma, and Field Officer Vincent Mphande oversee the loans programme. The ‘loan book’ is maintained by the recycling of repaid loans and the infusion of earmarked donations from the UK.
The Farming Improvement programme is run through 16 Lead Farmers who are trained by the Foundation’s agricultural advisor, Andrew Kamanga (who once performed the same role for the Malawi Government’s department of agriculture) and two members of Foundation staff, Kennas Jim and Vincent Mphande. The Lead Farmers are coached in the best organic practices including the making of bokashi (organic fertiliser). The Foundation pays for farming and water capture equipment including a petrol-powered tiller, tools, seeds and fertiliser ingredients that cannot be foraged.
The Capacity Academy comprises eight adult literacy and numeracy classes under the supervision of Adorn Kuzala, a trained teacher. There are eight class teachers plus an itinerant teacher who circulates across classes to instruct beginners. Some students enrol in the Academy simply because they want to be able to read and write while others have the express intention of applying to the loans programme where literacy is a prerequisite. Reading books, notebooks, other consumables and equipment (including bicycles for the teachers to reach the more remote class locations) are funded by the Foundation.
All of the Foundation’s 20 staff are Malawian, so boosting employment in the area as well as delivering the Foundation’s programmes.