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. Limited capital often means that businesses or ambitions never take off.
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

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. 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

We help finance small local businesses run by refugees and Malawians. We aim in particular to assist people with disabilities. A key message we emphasize to our beneficiaries is how to remain financially self-sustainable. Today, Kibebe provides work for over 40 artisans and it is our aim to increase this number by improving sales both locally and internationally.

AGRICUTLURAL INITIATIVES

There is Hope is supporting local farming initiatives by developing our centre as a demonstration site.  The site will be used for teaching improved agricultural practices by exploring composting, permaculture design, water management and soil health.