2004 LifeNets Livelihood Development Reports from Malawi

Posted October 31, 2004

One of our more successful LifeNets programs has been livelihood development in Malawi which provides unemployed families the means with which to make a living. This has included sewing machines, carpentry tools, welding equipment or a scholarship to receive training for a job they could not have otherwise qualified for.  The success part is that everyone whom we have provided these items to is gainfully employed, is able to to support his or her family and has dignity and hope in one of the poorest countries in the world.  

The photos below tell the story from our September/October 2004 trip to Malawi. We are continuing this program through 2005 in which we have expanded to a dozen more similar projects helping at least 80 people improve their economic state and not be at the mercy of family and friends.

Here are few faces with the projects.

George Chilopora was able to buy a welding machine, drill, angle irons, tools with which to do electrical work.  He also was able to afford the fees to be a registered contractor and as a result can now work on bigger projects. One product he has developed is an inexpensive and inexpensive to run cooker shown on the right.  He manufactures them for about $2.00 and sells them for $5.00.  It is fueled by ethanol made from sugar cane shown below. George tells us that 20 individuals have benefited from the start that we helped give him.  He says that he now has better clothes, better food and is able to do some travel. Also, he is able to help some friends who are poorer than he is.

Gordon Kolowilo was scholarshipped for six month computer course.  He is now working for a transportation company entering data.  The computer course taught him Windows and Office.

Chiphale Njewa is a carpenter, bricklayer and painter and was given tools necessary to do his work better. Before the LifeNets grant he made makeshift trowels and used sponges as paintbrushes. He was the main foreman for the building of the LifeNets Malakia Clinic in Lilongwe. He built the brick wall around the clinic as well.

 

 

Frazier and Jesse Nyalunbwe   We provided him the following Size 4,5,6 hand planes 3 saws. Jack plane Set of wood chisels Welding machine and all the accessories. Vice He is making chairs, beds, sofas, windows, doors. With the welding machine he is able to make door and window frames.   His wife Jesse received a sewing machine and cloth and now needs to employ two women to do the sewing. She does her work at the market and is now needing to expand her tiny shop.   All these items are providing the Nyalunbwe's income that they had not had before.

Jesse Nyalunbwe made a Malawian dress for Beverly Kubik... a nice sample of her work

 

Gerald Luwanja He was provided welding tools in order to make the furniture that is shown on the right side. His life is is better and he is able to live in town. He is able to pay for house rent and water bills and is no longer begging. Also, he is able to help his mother--he is the eldest brother.     He wants to tell everyone how thankful he is and how much he appreciates everything done for him

 

 

 

Cephas and Patricia Chapamba We are now helping our third clinic in Malawi located 70 km from Lilongwe towards Zambia at the Nkhwazi Trading Center on the Zambian road. It is called Jumpha Clinic and is operated by Cephas Chapamba and his wife Patricia. We supply medicines for the clinic as we do for the Malakia and Chizeni clinics. They have a son George and daughter Daloice.

 

Emily Chufanake

 

Emily has been doing great. Because of the quality of her work, she has more than she can handle. She now has a shop in Salima, a resort town on Lake Malawi. She has also been given the contract by the lodge and restaurant there to make uniforms for the waiters.  Because of the volume of work she now employs some disabled people who really appreciate the work! 

 Earlier posted from March 21, 2004 -- but you can see our photos taken on September 22, 2004 when we visited Emily in her home.

Two projects in Malawi have been very successful.  Emily Chufanake has purchased sewing machines with a donation from LifeNets.  Emily suffered a stroke during the birth of her first baby and has difficulty speaking.  The government had a program to help, but ran out of funds and she needed some way to earn money.  She had been taught the skill of sewing, but was not able to use this skill until she purchased the sewing machines.  She has made several beautiful clothing items with these machines and is wearing one of them in the picture below.  This is a wonderful way for her to be able to take care of herself and earn her own living.  Emily literally cried with joy when she purchased the sewing machines. 

 

Emily at her Salima shop

\ Disabled people helping her with her sewing