Malawi Travels for Entrepreneurship Growth
The 2021 DEStudio has begun!
Two weeks ago, our Program Manager, Chifuniro Kandaya, embarked on a 5 day trip to the Northern Region of Malawi to conduct site visits and to connect with some of our newest DEStudio members. Chifuniro worked to orient the new DEStudio members to the program and to make plans for the coming 12 months, during which these new members will be trained and mentored by FTI. The trip provided an important opportunity to assess the individual needs of each individual social enterprise. Site visits and individual consultations are crucial to the Flame Tree Initiative's goals of providing personalized coaching and moral support to entrepreneurs, as well as for the facilitation of networking and collaboration among members.
The drive from Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, to the northern city of Mzuzu, is 5 hours by car. Northern Malawi is wetter, with more rivers and hydroelectric power potential, than centrally located Lilongwe. DEStudio members living in this region have unique needs and opportunities which must be considered in order to most effectively provide mentorship, growth and networking assistance, for their enterprises.
Because of recent rains, and some poor road conditions, Chifuniro was unable to reach every enterprise site. Still, on March 2nd, the second day of the trip, all northern DEStudio members (ten in total) were able to come together for a joint meeting and planning session where Chifuniro was able to discuss specific needs with each member individually. Here are a few brief stories about some of these entrepreneurs, their goals and current struggles.
CJ’s business at Jenda, Mzimba, has been heavily affected by COVID-19. He plans to relocate to his home village of Enihleni, Mzimba, and to re-capitalize his business so that he can begin selling solar lanterns. FTI plans to assist CJ in mobilizing resources for this move and shift of his enterprise’s focus. Program Manager Chifuniro is assisting him in applying for a finance opportunity offered by the SEED program which may provide critical funding for these changes.
Patrick aims to develop a more sustainable permaculture approach on his farm in Nkhatabay. His farm focuses on tree multiplication and agri-tourism, among other things. Chifuniro will be offering technical assistance to Patrick as well as assisting him with marketing and connecting with the media. Patrick also wants to build a minihydro irrigation system at his farm and is connecting with former DEStudio member, Hastings Mkandawire, who has built several minihydro systems in the northern region of Malawi.
Victor runs a farm with 5000 banana plants, pigs, and dairy cows. Chifuniro is working directly with Victor to help him improve his soil fertility with permaculture methods such as using organic manure, water harvesting, and planting certain fruit trees. The Flame Tree Initiative is also connecting Victor with former DEStudio member Marko Chiumia, who is an animal scientist and can help Victor to improve the health and yields of his dairy cattle.
By building connections, mutually beneficial relationships, and collaborations, the Flame Tree Initiative is providing the resources and tools Malawian entrepreneurs need to take their enterprises to the next level!
