August 2018 Update

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Michelle

Social Media Highlight

Congratulations Laston on your employment!

In case you missed it on our Facebook page… Laston recently received employment through the Malawi government as an assistant veterinary officer! He studied Animal Husbandry in college, so this is a great fit! We have supported Laston since our inception in 2009 — we are very excited about this opportunity for Laston!

Impact Story: Mary

Mary expanded her business and paid back her Vision Fund loan using the business training that EKARI provided!

Mary and her husband, one of the Village Savings and Loan group members whom EKARI works with, received a loan from Vision Fund in May for $110. They invested the funds into their small business of selling fish. To build their business further they have reinvested most of the recent profits, except funds they need to purchase basic necessities. In addition, they have been reinvesting within their VSL group in order to save money and earn interest. Moreover, they have already made their first loan payment (1 of 4) and have saved for the second and third!

New Team Member!

Welcome to the EKARI family, Adriane!

Our new Development and Communications Manager joined us in July! Adriane Berman has a Masters in Public Health from the University of Washington. She most recently worked at PATH and brings more than 15 years of experience in the development, implementation, and management of global health programs. While at PATH she managed the proposal process including leading the development of grants ranging from $100,000 to $5 million with a variety of donors. She has spent many years working in Africa and is excited to be working for an organization addressing the needs of communities in Malawi. Adriane believes in the power of education and the importance it plays in helping lift people out of poverty.

Revamped Agriculture Training

EKARI staff conducts our own agriculture training!

Through our Sustainable Livelihoods Program, in June, we began agriculture training with four new communities. Previously, we contracted with local government agriculture officers to conduct the training. To increase our impact, three of EKARI’s staff (who have agriculture backgrounds) created EKARI’s new training curriculum and conduct the training themselves. The revamped training focuses on adapting to changes in the climate in Malawi, such as planting a variety of drought- and pest-resistant crops as well as using organic manure to increase soil fertility. The goal is to improve agriculture production to conserve natural resources, achieve food security, and reduce poverty at the household level with minimal costs to the farmers.

Vision Fund Loans

Our groups are paying back their loans to Vision Fund on time and with interest!

One of the goals of our Sustainable Livelihoods Program is to connect groups with loans so they can grow their businesses. EKARI does not provide the loans, but rather the training and connections to do this. Vision Fund is a microfinance institution, and has requirements to distribute loans: (1) they only give loans to people in groups, (2) groups must receive financial training, and (3) group members must prove they can pay back the loan. EKARI helps meet those needs by helping form groups, providing VSL training to help start businesses, and providing Business Management training to grow businesses. Two of our groups received loans in May! All members have started to pay back their loans on time and with interest!

Annual Event 2018

Join us on September 21!

Our Annual Event is coming up on September 21! You will hear and engage with stories from our field staff in Malawi, learn what it means to Fail Forward, and enjoy a variety of complimentary appetizers, desserts, and beverages. It’ll be a night you won’t want to miss so mark your calendars now or — as space is limited — register today!

Purchase Tickets Now

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