Group Information

[Support from OVOP/JICA]
A loan of MK 300,000 (OVOP) was provided to the Group
[Support from Other Organizations]
None
[Contribution by members]
Pay some commission to the workshop as a fee for utilization.
[Support by District Assembly]
None
[Background]
The former leader obtained information from radio and applied for OVOP. After distributing MK5,000 to each one of 18 initial members and constructing a workshop, the leader and treasurer left for South Africa with all the documents. The remaining members know neither the status of the account nor even the legal status of its entity. The members work sometimes independently, and sometimes together.

Strength and Opportunities

[Human Resources]
Each member has some expertise in some specific processes.
[Materials]
Materials are mostly available at the local market.
[Product/Market]
The Group claims that the quality of their products is somehow better than their competitors. Therefore, the products can fetch higher prices.
[Distribution]
Customers usually arrange for the transport.
[Administration]
The Group keeps the account book quite properly.

Challenges

[Market]
The market is highly competitive. There are five competitors even a 500 m radius from the workshop. The value of the Group’s products does not justify its transport cost to Lilongwe; Blantyre and southern region are the only markets.
[Capital]
The Group's saving amounts only to MK13,000, which is not sufficient to make sample products.
[Production]
The products of this Group do not have any specific features to attract customers.