Rose of Tralee Visits VSO in Malawi
30/10/2009 13:04:00
Rose of Tralee Charmaine Kenny, an aspiring entrepeneur from Athy Co Kildare, visited a number of VSO projects during a week long trip to Malawi. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa with a population of 14 million, many of whom live in extreme poverty.
Charmaine was impressed with the way VSO work, “Having visited developing countries in the past I was aware of some of the dreadful conditions that people live in. Malawi was no different and it is quite clear that every day is a struggle for the people I visited. However the work VSO volunteers are engaged in Malawi is very impressive.”
Below is a detailed account of the projects Charmaine visited and the results VSO volunteers are achieving.
Day 1
Visit to Thyolo Community Group
This local community have benefited from support and guidance from VSO volunteers in the development of a water irrigation scheme that has allowed the local community to increase their crop production. The scheme has being running for 3 years.
- VSO volunteers have empowered the local community
- They are planting corn and maize
- Scheme has allowed them to plant new vegetables e.g. tomatoes
- Last year the group harvested over 30,000 kgs of crops
Visit to Mapanga Community Group
Through guidance from VSO volunteers this local women’s group using local resources have produced and are selling a clay stove that is being used throughout the region.
- There are over 800 women involved in the project
- 80% of the profits made go to the women
- 20% of profits go back into the scheme
- In 2008 over 4,000 clay stoves were produced that are sold all over the region
Day 2
Visit to Shmpa Milk Bulking Group
With ongoing training from VSO volunteers this community scheme encourages local dairy farmers to fully maximise their milk production. The scheme teaches the local community to look after livestock advising on what to feed them and how to provide proper shelter for animals in the rainy season and warm months. VSO provide the local farmers with a small grant to purchase a cow which they then payback through the sale of milk or with the sale of new livestock to their herd. One local farmer Anna recently paid back the loan and used further profits to purchase a calf.
- The Shmpa group produce 2400 litres of milk a day
- The Shmpa group is part of 22 bulking groups throughout Northern Malawi
- Over 3,000 farmers are involved in the scheme
- Farmers get paid every 2 weeks
- The bulking group produce over 1 million litres of milk a year
- VSO volunteers provide agricultural training and business advice
Visit to Philadelphia Mushroom House
This local group produce grows and produces mushrooms that they sell. The group has received guidance from a VSO volunteer on how best to market and sell the mushrooms they grow. Mushroom houses are common all over Malawi. Primarily women’s group the Philadelphia mushroom house is beginning to sell its local produce to hotels in Blantyre (Malawi’s 2nd city).
- Group began with 7 members now has 38
- Project began in 2008 with a harvest of 171 kg
- In 2009 the harvest was 394 kg
Visit to Zuzuga Tea Growers Association
Tea is Malawi’s second biggest export. However, most tea estates are privately owned. Through support and guidance from VSO volunteers the local community in Zuzuga established a small out growers scheme where they planted tea on their own land. VSO volunteers advised on the development of a water irrigation system, which gave the community more land to plant tea. They also advised on the development and implementation of a business marketing plan with the Zuzuga Tea Growers Association to sell their produce and use revenue generated to widen the project.
- VSO volunteer used an incentive with the development of the water irrigation scheme. If it were finished in 2 days each worker would receive 2 chickens. (Scheme was finished on time!)
- Scheme began with 11 members now has over 400
- Each grower is paid for over 20kg collected in each basket
- Growers collect 10-15 tons of tea a day
- Last year the association produced over 1.5 million tons of tea
Day 3
The MACOHA Craft factory was set-up by the Malawi Council for the Handicapped. The factory, which employs disabled people, produces textiles, crafts, and screen print products for sale throughout Malawi. VSO volunteers have assisted in developing a sales and marketing plan for the MACOHA craft factory.
- Factory employs people suffering with disabilities and HIV & Aids
- Produces products for the tourist industry and local hotels such as crafts, uniforms, & towels
- Currently employs 298 staff of whom 80% have disabilities
- Profits raised go towards supporting people with disabilities who live in rural areas and don’t have access to proper care
