Set to Double Again

The operation has really shifted a gear since I was last in Malawi. The numbers tell their own story but nothing could have prepared me for the confidence, professionalism and ambition of the local team. They’ve doubled our impact in the past three years and are set to do the same again by 2012.

Success will be down to our staff as well as our donors so I was delighted to see the visionary new learning centre emerging from the building site in Lilongwe. We already employ about 450 staff in Malawi and their expertise will be all important as we grow. It’s vital that we invest in them and the learning centre will be a central to the drive for quality.

Then a short drive to our Malangalanga satellite centre. It’s been one of the many success stories and it was good to see the throng of poor clients waiting to be served by our client relations officers. Our services are evidently hitting the spot. I’ve never seen such a popular office. People were depositing savings, collecting loans and repaying earlier loans in turn. They were having to wait up to 20 minutes for service – which isn’t great – but all the people I spoke to were in good cheer. I think they were simply thrilled that we were in town and in business just for them.

Then on to meet some of the borrowers at their small businesses in a nearby bustling market. I loved this chap – Innocent Bondo Chifaka. With his third loan – of around £150 – he buys paraffin in bulk. 300 litres at a time. The locals buy it in small affordable units to light their home at night time. With no electricity this is the only way that life can carry on into the evening. It’s often when the children do their studies.

Innocent sells paraffin in 5 litre and 1 litre units as well as a smaller one-night only sachet. Many of his poor clients can only afford to pay for their fuel by the day. He’s making about £4 a day. He’s started saving with Opportunity International. And be plans to diversify by starting up a grocery stall soon.

He is a very impressive young man. But he left his biggest surprise until we started to head off. He took me aside and said he supports Manchester United.