Working together for a common goal

We had a meeting with an official from a UN agency who specialises in helping set up businesses in Malawi. He told us about all the challenges facing organisations that try to set up sustainable businesses here. The culture of dependency, which we mentioned earlier, and decades of dictatorship under Banda play against entrepreneurship. He said that there are around 2,500 operating registered businesses in Malawi - that's not much at all. A key problem is that as soon as someone sets up a successful microbusiness, the family network kicks in and relatives start asking for a share of the income - ultimately leading to the collapse of the business.

But he's put us in touch with an Italian organisation that has been extremely successful in surmounting these problems and helping Malawians create sustainable enterprises. It's all a question of giving people the confidence and the skills to release their potential.

As you'll have realised by now, we seek to work in partnership with all kinds of organisations: international NGOs, companies, local businesses, government - anybody who is willing to share their experience and work with us for our common goal. We don't believe in reinventing the wheel!

Nick