Cane and Bamboo furniture from this group are of good quality. The raw materials are specially treated to avoid damage by pests and insects and makes the products more durable than most on the market.

Our Main Products

Group Information

[Support from OVOP/JICA]
JICA: MK100,000 for equipment, MK100,000 for training
OVOP: MK700,000 loan for factory shell construction.
[Support from Other Organizations]
None
[Contribution by members]
MK3,000 for working capital, MK300,000 for factory shell construction.
[Support by District Assembly]
Arrangement of the contractor for the factory shell construction.
[Background]
The group initially contacted OVOP Secretariat to seek for financing for facilities and upgrading of the product. OVOP Sec organized training for them at the Blantyre furniture maker who has special skills. Although there were 67 members initially, the number decreased to 13 due to the requirement of contribution and commitment.

Strength and Opportunities

[Human Resources]
All members have skills to make standard products, while some of the members are responsible for quality control.
[Materials]
Materials are always available at the forest as long as the Group has money to purchase them.
[Production]
After the construction of the factory shell, the Group will become able to manufacture products even in rainy seasons, and the products will not be damaged by the rain. The Group has a manual / guidelines for the formula to process materials.
[Product]
Similar products produced by competitors are easy to be damaged by weevils. Thus, the customers are willing to pay double for the Group’s products. The design (French style) is also better than that of competitors’ products. If the Group can access potential customers and explain them about the advantages of their products, they can easily capture the market.
[Market]
Since DOWA is located between Lilongwe and Salima - a touristic site, their products are exposed to many tourists eyes.
[Administration]
The Group properly maintains the account book.

Challenges

[Materials]
During the rainy season, it becomes difficult to reach the forest due to increased river water. Due to the lack of fund (the capital is used up for the construction of the factory shell), the Group is currently not capable of producing furniture without customers’ deposit.
[Product]
The design of the Group's products is mostly the same as that of competitors products. Protection from weevils is not perfect.
[Production]
Quality control is conducted rather in an ad hoc manner; the Group needs a check list.
[Distribution]
Since the Group does not have its own transport means, members have to deliver the product by hitchhiking (transport cost is chargeable to the customers) or ask customers to arrange transport by themselves.
[Promotion]
The Group does not know what actions they should take to demonstrate, and appeal the strength of, their product to potential buyers in Lilongwe. The Group needs leaflets and photos for the marketing purpose, as well as an agent in the city who visits potential customers and explain about the advantages of their product.
[Administration]
The Group does not have sufficient capacity to conduct proper cost accounting.