The cards are made at Embangweni in Mzimba district. They are made from recycled paper, cowdung and mango fiber. It is an income generating activity for a group working on HIV/AIDS activities called Tikolelaneko.

Our Main Products

Group Information

[Support from OVOP/JICA]
training and marketing.
[Support from Other Organizations]
JOCV volunteers supported the product development and have been supporting the direct sale of the products.
[Contribution by members]
No member fees
[Support by District Assembly]
None
[Background]
From 1994 to 1999, an American institution supported HIV/AIDS counseling activities in the area, and the group members (farmers) were trained as counselors. After the end of the support, the group continued the activities on a voluntary basis. A JOCV volunteer who got the idea of cow dung paper cards at another area taught the Group the production method. The sales of the cards are used to finance their activities.

Strength and Opportunities

[Materials]
The group can procure used paper, cow dung and mango fruit for free of charge. Mango is produced and sold from Dec to March in the vicinity; the owners of mango trees allow the Group to collect mango fruit for free of charge.
[Product]
With the messages about the sales to be used for HIV/AIDS prevention as well as about the information of materials, the product attracts foreigners. Under the advice of OVOP secretariat, the Group has made the paper thinner.
[Market]
Apart from 150 cards sold in the first half of 2008 to an American individual, almost all products are sold through OVOP shop or JOCV volunteers (Nkatabe and Mzuzu). The group is selling 250 cards / months on average.
[Production]
The Group says that if the materials were available, they would be capable of producing 500 cards per month.
[Quality Control]
Group leader is responsible for quality control.

Challenges

[Materials]
Major challenge of the Group is the availability of used paper. Since the Group is located 2 hours away from the main road, there are no offices or institutions except for a hospital and a secondary school. The Group has not built any linkage with businesses in cities for the supply of used paper, saying that the businesses do not have sufficient space to keep waste paper for the Group.
[Infrastructure]
In order to increase the production capacity, the Group wishes to have a pressing machine and pounding machine.