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.
How Orant Spends Donor Dollars
Orant Charities Africa operates its budget according to two guiding principles:
- Efficiency:
We aim to make the highest impact possible per dollar. - Client-Focus:
100% of donations go straight to Orant Charities Africa in Malawi. This means no donations are directed to the support staff in the US. Even in Malawi, 90% of funds are used for program operation costs. In other words, donor dollars go straight to the people. Only 10% of funds go to management and administration, and less than 1% to fundraising.
Here’s how our spending is distributed over our programs:
Healthcare
Stable communities require institutions that give people hope and build trust. Even though Malawi offers free healthcare, government clinics often take hours to walk to from rural villages. Worse, their medical supply isn’t reliable. Government hospitals and clinics routinely run out of even the most basic medicine. Orant fills the gap.
Our healthcare programs take up the majority of our funding. Medicine is the largest cost of this program. Spending is split between our static clinic and our Mobile Outreach Clinic. Our Mobile Outreach Clinic reaches patients in rural areas. Our on-site pharmacies maintain a reliable supply of medicine.
Water & Sanitation
Our largest Water & Sanitation expense is drilling new water wells. Wells cost around $5,000 to drill. Once installed, they provide safe water for hundreds of people for a decade.
Education
Our education budget is spent on student sponsorships. Secondary school is not free in Malawi. Investing in students, especially in young girls, is an investment in the future of the community and country.
Agriculture & Business
Our agriculture & business allocates most of its budget to loan programs. BOMFA, a local farmer’s cooperative, distributes Orant loans to over 600 rural farmers. The Irrigation Club Program offers farmers seed and fertilizer loans. Our FEM for Women program supports female entrepreneurs with loans, banking assistance, and business training. All loans are paid back to Orant and reinvested in the programs for the next loan period.
Management and Administration
Orant Charities Africa has a seven-acre campus that houses much of our staff and their families. Administrative costs include phone service, internet, gas, and campus maintenance.
Fundraising
The Malawi team assists with grant writing. Otherwise, fundraising efforts are supplemented by the US support team. The US team receives no donor dollars.
If you want to donate to a specific project or program, leave us a note.
We want our donors to see and feel the direct impact of their contribution!
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Stories from the Field
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meet Lester Mwalwenje, Orant's new Energy and Environment Program Manager. We are so excited to have him on board!
Congratulations to the recipients of the Ulemu Scholarship for 2024/2025! We are so proud of you!
Malawian culture has always been known as a treasure trove of wisdom, and proverbs being an integral part of our rich heritage. These timeless sayings have been passed on through generations, offering guidance, direction, and warnings that shape our values, beliefs, and daily lives. In this blog series, we delve into the world of Malawian proverbs, exploring their meanings, contexts and significance. Read today's blog post which serves as a continuation to our journey.