Early this week, we celebrated Esther Maupa's graduation from Mwimba College of Agriculture! As promised, today we are sharing her full story of how she overcame challenges and achieved success! Read our latest blog article to get inspired by Esther's journey!
“As Big as the Sky” Book Review
A Children’s Story Based in Malawi
Author: Molly Horn

“As Big as the Sky” Book Review
As Big as the Sky, written by Carolyn Rose, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, is an easy-to-read picture book for children ages 4-6. We checked it out from our local library and enjoyed reading this sweet tale!
Set in Malawi, this is the story of a brother and sister living in a rural village where money is scarce and the family struggles to provide for their children. Caleb, the older brother, is sent to live with his grandmother so that he can attend school. His younger sister, Priscia, misses him terribly!
She devises a plan to raise enough money to go visit Caleb, but her attempts are unsuccessful. The book chronicles everything Prisica must go through, including fetching water for the family, cleaning the house every day, hunger from a poor harvest, and making crafts to sell.
The story ends with Priscia and her mother finally being able to visit Caleb with the help of a kind friend, and the family is happy again!
We suggest reading this book if you would like to share with your child a little bit about life in another country. You can use a map or globe to show where Malawi is, and talk about how life is different across the world. We hope you enjoy this sweet story about a brother and sister whose love is as big as the sky.
Available for purchase from Amazon or check your local library!
The Orant Journal
Introducing Nkhuni Pang’ono Moto
We are proud to share an update on our Energy and Environment program, which aims to promote sustainable practices in Kaondo and surrounding villages. In this week’s blog article, we share about the progress we have made in introducing firewood-saving stoves, called Nkhuni Pang’ono, Moto! Meaning “Less firewood, A Lot of Fire.”
Play for a Purpose – Education Equality
Orant’s spring fundraiser, Play for a Purpose: Bingo for Education Equality, is this week. Today we’re presenting you with a special edition of our blog highlighting not only the Orant education program, but also the support of our presenting sponsor, GeoShack, whose employees have sponsored 30 students over the past four years.
Celebrating Women’s Day – Our Commitment to Equality
Today, we are excited to kick off our celebration of International Women's Day! We are honoring the incredible achievements of women worldwide, acknowledging the obstacles they face, and advocating for a more just and equitable society. This year's theme, "For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," calls for collective action to unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, ensuring a future where no one is left behind. At Orant, we're committed to empowering rural women in our community. Read our latest blog article to discover the ways we're working towards a more equitable future for all.
Introducing the Umodzi Village Business Manual
It's been a while since we last shared an update on our Mobile Outreach clinic, but rest assured that our team has been working tirelessly to deliver healthcare services to hard-to-reach populations. Despite the challenges posed by the rainy season, our clinic remains in full swing, with our team venturing out every day to bring medical care to those who need it most. In today's blog, we highlight the significance of our Mobile Outreach clinic during this rainy season, and its impact on the communities we serve.
Reaching the Unreached Despite the Odds
It's been a while since we last shared an update on our Mobile Outreach clinic, but rest assured that our team has been working tirelessly to deliver healthcare services to hard-to-reach populations. Despite the challenges posed by the rainy season, our clinic remains in full swing, with our team venturing out every day to bring medical care to those who need it most. In today's blog, we highlight the significance of our Mobile Outreach clinic during this rainy season, and its impact on the communities we serve.
The Unyielding Struggle of a Malawian Rural Farmer
As the backbone of Malawi's economy, agriculture accounts for approximately 30% of the country's Gross Domestic Product. It is the primary source of livelihood for many rural Malawians, who solely rely on farming to make ends meet. However, the journey to a successful harvest is never easy for these rural farmers, who face numerous challenges that threaten their livelihoods. In this week's blog article, we delve into the current challenges facing Malawi’s rural farmers this farming season.
Unlocking Digital Financial Literacy in Rural Malawi
In today's fast-paced world, digital financial literacy is more important than ever. It is essential for saving time and resources, as most financial transactions have gone digital. This week, our Business Development program launched a digital financial literacy campaign, building on our previous "Hey Sister! Show me your mobile money" campaign. Read our latest blog article to learn more about this campaign and its impact on our communities.
Empowering Women Through Village Savings and Loans
These beaming smiles belong to our Tikondane Village Savings and Loan (VSL) group members, who have just harvested the fruits of their labor after a year of hard work and diligent saving. Through our VSL program, these incredible individuals have learned the value of saving, budgeting, and investing in the future of their families. Click the link below to learn more about how VSLs work and hear incredible stories from these women.
Staff Highlight – Lester Mwalwenje
Meet Lester Mwalwenje, Orant's new Energy and Environment Program Manager. We are so excited to have him on board!