Insightful thoughts from Tango Phiri on Orant's Financially Empowering Microloans for Women Program.
FEM for Women
The Financial Empowering Microloans (FEM) for Women program began in 2017 with the goal of supporting women in our community who were stuck in a cycle of poverty.
The process is rather simple, but very impactful. Local women apply for a no interest loan that will be paid back in equal installments over the next four months. The money helps them buy more supplies to trade or otherwise invest in their small business. Then, they use the profits to improve their lives by doing things like funding their children’s education or building a floor for their house.
We hope to expand this program more in the future.
Learn more about some of FEM’s star businesswomen below!
Edinina Joshua
Lonely Lameck
Gloria Chidzanja
BOMFA
We have been supporting the Bowe Mission Farmer’s Association (BOMFA) since Orant Charities Africa was founded. BOMFA is a farmers cooperative that organizes seed and fertilizer distribution to its farmers and helps them sell and transport their crops in bulk. BOMFA supports farmer clubs and contributes to building a more stable community.
Orant Demonstration Farm Plot
Orant Charities Africa’s campus has a 33-acre farm plot which is used to demonstrate proper farming techniques and correct use of fertilizer and seeds to local farmers. This ensures that farmers have access to the latest information and farming techniques in Malawi so their yields can be as high as possible.
Irrigation Clubs
Orant sponsors and manages 14 irrigation clubs in our Kasese operations area. These clubs are supplied with the skills and supplies necessary to plant and harvest multiple crops per year, helping them develop prosperity and wealth.
Stories From The Field
The Orant Farm Project has transformed Teleza Manuwelo's life. With 2 acres for farming, Teleza earned enough income to feed her family.
Ireen Henderson is a participant of Orant's FEM for Women Program. With a microloan, she has diversified her small business to build stability for her family.
Learn how to make thobwa, one of Malawi’s common traditional beverages, with Maness Nkhoma's recipe. Maness is a FEM participant at Orant.
Everyone who shops at Kasese Trading Post knows Goodwell Chimwanza, the tinsmith. He is always smiling; hard at work.
Women Village Savings and Loan (VS&L) Groups cultivate a savings mindset in female entrepreneurs in Central Malawi.
Orant removes the barrier of impossible interest rates. Our FEM Program provides no-interest loans. Edilina Joshua is a FEM member.
Patricia Simbi escaped an abusive marriage. With the help of financially empowering microloans, she started her own business.
While Malawi is advancing its digital financial services, the adoption rate among women is minimal. A campaign aims to change that.
Patricia Simbi is a participant in Orant's Financially Empowering Microloans for Women Program. She runs a mobile money booth in Malawi.