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.”
Unlocking Digital Financial Literacy in Rural Malawi
Author: Praises Padambo
Unlocking Digital Financial Literacy in Rural Malawi
Unlike urban areas, in rural areas like Dowa, accessing digital financial literacy is a significant challenge. The lack of access to digital technologies, limited awareness about digital financial services, and inadequate education on using these services effectively have created a substantial gap in digital financial literacy.
This gap has a lot of consequences on rural communities, including vulnerability to financial scams and fraud, mismanagement of finances, and poor financial decision-making. Without proper knowledge, individuals are more likely to fall prey to scams, losing their hard-earned money. This can also lead to poor financial decision-making, causing individuals to struggle with endless debts, lack of savings, and poor investments.
To address this gap, Orant has been working tirelessly to provide digital financial literacy training through our Business Development program. This comes from the background of another Digital financial literacy campaign, “Hey Sister! Show me your mobile money” that we ran in 2021 with funding from USAID through Strategic Impact Advisors. This campaign which we ran for five months, reached out to over 5,000 people in our catchment area, with the goal of empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate digital financial services.
“Our goal is to expand our reach to more people, ensuring that our communities have the knowledge and skills to thrive in the digital economy. We envision a future where everyone has access to digital financial services, can manage their finances effectively, and can seize economic opportunities,” says Tango Grace Phiri, our Business Development program manager.
Why Digital Financial Literacy Matters
Digital financial literacy is essential in rural communities, bridging the financial inclusion gap. By providing individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage their finances effectively, digital financial literacy empowers them to make informed financial decisions, improving their overall economic well-being.
Digital financial literacy can also help in taking people out of the poverty cycle by providing individuals with access to financial services that can help them manage their finances more effectively, reduce debt, and increase savings.
At Orant, we are committed to empowering communities in Dowa with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate digital financial services. We believe that empowering communities in Dowa with digital financial literacy can unlock a brighter financial future for individuals, families, and the community as a whole.
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The Orant Journal
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.
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.
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.