BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

A sustainable income can transform families by providing necessary goods and services, increasing a sense of dignity and by allowing parents to be positive role models to the next generation. In Malawi, more than half the population lives on less than one US dollar a day. The majority of Malawians rely on subsistence farming and formal employment is scarce. Policies in place by the Malawi government limit opportunities for refugees to earn a formal income outside of the camp. Furthermore, prospects to earn an income within the camp are limited, so many residents of Dzaleka Refugee Camp rely outside assistance. There is Hope supports business development by providing small scale loans and opportunities to be involved in our social businesses.

SMALL SCALE LOANS

Business Training and Small Scale Loans

Wherever you go in the world, you will find business. In Malawi, businesses are plagued by lack of financial investment and lack of knowledge. Our goal is to equip our beneficiaries with resources to transform their ideas into a business that is sustainable and will thrive over time. A sustainable business will benefit the lives of the owner, their family, their employees, and the community as a whole. There is Hope offers small scale business loans to refugees and members of the host community who have either graduated from our vocational training program or artisans who are in need of tools and equipment to expand their businesses. Before approving a business loan, we want to provide useful resources that will help the recipients manage their businesses. In order to qualify for a loan, the individual must complete a one month business course, where they will be taught the principles of basic business management. After successfully completing the training, the money is released. We maintain regular contact with the recipients to monitor their progress and provide necessary support. After an agreed upon period of time, the loan will begin accruing interest and the repayment process will begin.

Medical Loans

A significant number of refugees were skilled professionals before being forced to flee their home country. One of the few areas refugees are permitted to work in Malawi is in the medical field. In order to practice in Malawi, medical professionals must pay a fee and complete a 6 month orientation to assess language proficiency and medical knowledge. There is Hope supports medical professionals residing in Dzaleka Refugee Camp by providing loans to cover the orientation fees.

HELPING THE POOR

“When we want to help the poor, we usually offer them charity. Most often we use charity to avoid recognizing the problem and finding the solution for it. Charity becomes a way to shrug off our responsibility. But charity is no solution to poverty.Charity only perpetuates poverty by taking the initiative away from the poor. Charity allows us to go ahead with our own lives without worrying about the lives of the poor. Charity appeases our consciences.”

MUHAMMAD YUNUS

Yunus is founder of Grameen Bank, the pioneer in the microfinance industry, he’s also a Nobel prize winner.
Leveraging the power of micro-loans he was responsible for lifting millions of women out of poverty.

SOCIAL BUSINESS VENTURES

There is Hope provides sources of income for refugees and Malawians with special focus on people with disabilities. We are also passionate about modelling the financial self-sustainability we teach our beneficiaries. Kibebe was established to create products and services that boost the Malawian economy through national and international trade. A portion of the profits from Kibebe will contribute financially towards other projects of There is Hope.

AGRICUTLURAL INITIATIVES

Many of the challenges Malawian farmers have, stem from poor water and soil management and deforestation. There is Hope is supporting local farming initiatives by developing our ministry centre to be a healthier space, in hopes of using it as a demonstration site.  The site will be used for teaching improved agricultural practices by exploring composting, permaculture design, water management and soil health.