Tiny loans go long way in Malawi

Valley teacher raising money for impoverished African nation

MOUNT DENSON — Christie Hartlin has a lot of good news about the progress of a project she has helped organize in Africa through the Nova Scotia-Malawi Association.

The Valley guidance counsellor began working with local women concerned about the needs of orphans and HIV/AIDS victims in Ekwendeni, in northern Malawi, as a volunteer teacher in 2005.

Since then, Ms. Hartlin, of Mount Denson, has returned to the African town three times. She has helped to plan the construction of food mills for residents and their livestock, and a complex to feed and educate orphans and assist families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Two barns have been built; chickens, pigs and goats have been purchased; several hectares of land have been developed for farming; and fruit trees have been planted.

During her most recent visit, in March, 27 small-business loans worth C$50 to C$250 were awarded to guardians of the orphans and people living with AIDS. Many of the recipients and other people from the community are also attending workshops to learn basic business skills, such as budgeting, and agricultural techniques.

Ms. Hartlin said in a recent interview that many of the loans have already been repaid and the funds are being lent to other small businesses.

"It’s helping a great number of people and the numbers are continuing to grow," she said. "It is going to change the future of these people."

She said donations from the Mary Mueller Foundation and a number of Valley schools and service organizations are being invested in the long-term development of the community, because the project is being designed to become self-sustaining.

"Those who give are really giving long term because we are helping these people help themselves. As they become self-sustaining, they won’t need our help anymore," Ms. Hartlin said.

"And many of the children we are helping now will go on to help other children when they become adults."

The project has faced challenges. She said drought in some parts of Malawi and flooding in other areas has affected crop yields, doubling or tripling prices in Ekwendeni for staples such as maize and beans.

Ms. Hartlin said she hopes more money will be raised to deal with these increased costs. But she feels optimistic about the future of the project because of the pride and sense of ownership and accomplishment she sees in the people of Ekwendeni.

"We never dreamed this could happen in our community," one Malawian man told her.

"We are just so grateful to the Canadians who have helped us do this."