Following Father Joel’s idea of setting up a maize mill in order to generate finance for the orphans to improve their self-sufficiency, the following research was undertaken.
Summary.
Below are four stories about communities in Malawi acquiring a maize mill. They are really inspiring as poor communities overcome adversity and frustration with patience and dignity. This summary is to provide the main points of interest.
A). http://www.fulwoodmethodist.org.uk/fmcmag/summer%202006/malawi/malawi.htm
MALAWI’S MAIZE MILL
1). One project waited 9 months for ESCOM to eventually turn on the electricity to the maize mill.
2. Once set up and running a successful maize mill some communities have considered other businesses to start.
B). http://www.arkfoundationmalawi.org/pages/what-we-do/establishing-services/maize-mill.php
Maize Mill in Malawi.
1. Finally, when the maize mill is fully operational it means that the ARK Malawi will have achieved a very remarkable level of self-sufficiency.
C).http://www.strath.ac.uk/malawi/projects/maizemillrepaired/
1. Machine grinding maize yields three times more food than hand grinding, yet since 1980 villagers had been hand grinding maize or using an old diesel engine to power the mill, but this was very expensive and diesel was often difficult to procure.
D). ). http://www.maravilha.co.uk/mbewa/maizemill.html
Mbewa Maize Mill Project
1. The Mbewa Self-Help Project maize mill began operating at the end of May 2011.
2. As well as providing a service to villagers, income is used for a social welfare fund (to assist AIDS orphans and other vulnerable people in the village), to invest in other small projects and to recoup the capital invested for repaying loans and saving for the next large-scale project – buying a sheller to run alongside the mill.
3. Loans and donations are still welcome for the next phase of the project.
4. Three villagers will be trained at Chiradzulu Agricultural College in December on operating and maintaining the milling equipment. The milling equipment will be purchased for installation after they have completed the course.
5. 24 February 2011: ESCOM did not have three-phase cable available for completing the connection from the transformer to the milling equipment. Apparently ESCOM’s budget for buying materials has been exhausted. With no alternative, additional funds have been sent for the Project Committee to purchase the cable to be fitted by ESCOM.
26 March 2011: ESCOM have made the connection – all except for the electricity meter. There are no longer spare meters in the country we are told.
4 May 2011: A meter is fitted after an appeal to the ESCOM Regional Engineer for help resulted in a meter being found.
15 May 2011: The Project Committee’s engineer connects the mill and tests it.
16 May 2011: MAIZE MILL BEGINS OPERATING
6. 5 June – 15 June 2011: Power cuts hit Southern Malawi. First partial month’s income allocated to costs, extra equipment needed for the mill, paying for a business licence and the social welfare fund (helping with school fees for orphans and other costs for vulnerable families).
15 July 2011: Three people are being employed to run the mill plus a night watchman. After salaries, electricity bills, maintenance costs and the social welfare fund, the first instalment towards repaying the capital fund is made.
15 August 2011: Monthly report suggest bringing forward the purchase of a sheller to go alongside the mill, to improve the service to villagers and increase income….
7. Part of the income from current operations is being used to repay the capital invested in the project to date. Some of this has to go to repay loans, from the bank and individuals, but some will stay in Malawi to go towards the sheller.
There is an electricity supply in Mbewa which means it is possible to have mills driven by electric motors. Most of the 3,000 people of the village, plus around 12,000 more from surrounding villages without electricity, are reliant on the existing commercial mill, or two in the neighbouring village, which are unable to cope with the demand. The mills run continuously and breakdowns create greater problems for villagers.
Milling is a profitable business. On average, 200kg needs to be milled for each person during the year at a standard cost of MK 1,000 (about £4.00). The total potential annual income from milling is, therefore, about £60,000 (namely 15,000 villagers X £4 per head).
Part of the reason for bringing the plan to purchase the sheller forward is this will make it easier to achieve and exceed the income target.
A project supported by Mike Brady with contributions from friends, family and the public.
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