Three years ago, August 2014, I helped the Manyamula Community Savings and Investment Cooperative (COMSIP) in Malawi break ground for their new training centre and office building. This summer – in just seven weeks, to be exact – I’ll be there to commemorate the official opening of the building. And I’ll be staying a few nights in their guest rooms!
“We are planning that as you come to the community, there will be an official opening of the building facility,” shares Canaan Gondwe, leader of the Manyamula COMSIP Cooperative. “You and the other SIA team members will lead the procession and be the Guest of Honour. Traditional leaders, COMSIP Union staff, as well as Government representatives, and all cooperative members will be there to celebrate.”
Tanya at the site of the future Manyamula COMSIP Training Centre, guest house, and office building! (Malawi, 2014)
This ribbon cutting ceremony will kick-off my three-week trip to visit SIA partners in Kenya and Malawi. The days will be filled with visiting Small Business Fund group shops, and homes that have been renovated as a result of business profits. I will be greeting, celebrating successes, and listening to their thoughts on how we can improve our work to have a greater impact.
Trip highlights:
Visit SIA projects in Malawi (3 days)
Manyamula Savings and Loans Group Cooperative
Small Business Fund groups
Youth entrepreneurs in Blantyre
Conference for SIA Small Business Fund Coordinators (4 days)
Program evaluation and peer-to-peer learning
Training for new and potential coordinators
SBF Coordinators canaan Gondwe (Malawi) and Dennis Kiprop (Kenya) at our conference in Uganda in 2014.
Visit SIA projects in Kenya (7 days)
Small Business Fund groups in Nairobi and Eldoret
CIFORD Kenya (girl’s empowerment)
Megabridge Foundation (piggery)
Dressmaking and beadworking training in informal settlements around Nairobi
Training to Expand
Over the last two years we have been expanding our SIA Small Business Fund program. We have added new local coordinators in Malawi, Uganda, and two more in Kenya. Families are able to best use these $150 business grants when they are also mentored by our wonderful local coordinators. This means that we are only able to expand the Small Business Fund program as fast as we can find dedicated, reliable coordinators. During my last trip to Africa I realized the need for a more robust training program for recent and incoming coordinators. This time, we will take two days to train new coordinators so that we can ensure our coordinators are ready and prepared to lead and mentor the new business groups.
Tanya and Mike Hegeman leading a song.
Traveling with me will be my wonderful husband, Boyd, and also two very dear friends, Dana Belmonte and Mike Hegeman. Boyd, Dana, and Mike are all SIA Advisory Board members and passionate about our work. Traveling with a group will give me more space for true listening and connection, while leaving the documentation and logistics to our capable team.
If you would like to contribute to the travel fund for the Small Business Fund Coordinators to attend our conference in Malawi, please click here!
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