Satemwa Tea Estate - Fair Trade Workers Joint Body

EFFECTS OF HEAVY RAINS IN THYOLO

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:02:00 +0000

In my previous posts, I wrote abou hte dry spell that was prevalent in the Southern part of Malawi. I also wrote about the break of the dry spell as we started having rains. This time round it has been the excess of the rains that has now badly affected most of the rural areas. From around the 19th January we go a warning from the Meorogical department about the impending Tropical Cyclone which would affect the southern part of Malawi.
To prove the met. people right, it started raining day and night such tha by Sunday 22nd reports started coming out of houses falling down, floods developing in most areas especiall the lower Shire.
As I write most villagers have lost their households, houses and worse still maize gardens have been washed away. Lucky are those that are employed by the estates as they are assured of shelter, income and if they are working for Satemwa then they are assured of two bags of maize courtesy of the Fair trade Joint Body Maize project - This season every employee is getting 2 bags at a subsidised price.
This is typical of effects of climate change: ie drought, floods etc
Thus we prayed for rains when the situation was becoming desparate - We got rains but more than we required - now people have no shelter and will not have enough food because of he same rains. What a scenario.
The future - People's hopes are now on whether the JB will come up with porjects to overcome these calamities.
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''MORINGA'' THE MIRACLE TREE

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:27:00 +0000

An officer from Rosy World paid a visit with the purpose of meeting workers to sensitize them on a tree called Moringa. This tree is known as a miracle tree because its products and by-products if used well can play miracles to human bodies. Among other functions it can cure the following diseases: Hysteria, Anemia, Blood impurities, Blood pressure, Cholera, Glandular swelling, Stomach ulcers etc and above all does also boost the immune system.
The objective of this organisation is to distribute moringa seed for free so tha that each household has atleast a tree to get leaves and seed from. Rosy World may then come in and buy the seed or the leaves to make moringa powder, cppking oil and other products.
The most interesting side about this tree is that the poeder has worked wonders on HIV patients. The powder has been noted to regulate ARVs side effects the official assured us. Moringa products are also approved by both local and international nutritionists. This is yet to be discussed and see if the JB could get involved into as a project.
Sounds motivating.
Those who know how the Moringa Tree functions may give more info.
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MEETING BETWEEN SATEMWA MANAGEMENT TEAM AND LOCAL LEADERS FROM THYOLO

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Year 2011 has been closed in grand style.
Satemwa Tea Estate does meet with local leaders to try and appraise each other of the goings on as partners in development. Among issues discussed are social projects being undertaken by Satemwa within he surrounding villages and concerns from both sides.
This meeting was so unique because it was graced by the Satemwa Fair trade Joint Body members. Most workers on Satemwa come from the villages that border with the estate. While workers are benefiting directly from the Fairtrade premium, the JB also decided at their meeting to meet the leaders where they would talk about environmental issues, climate change and mitigating factors.
Among the leaders was the Senior Traditional Authority Khwethemule, his Group Village Headmen
and Village Headmen. What made this meeting to be so unique was the presence of the Satemwa General Manager who graced the occasion when he made a welcome address.
All chiefs were so exited such that the village headwoman and the Senior Traditional authority spoke highly about Satemwa Tea Estate and also about Fair trade. They were nso thankfull that a producer is able to consider spending on social activities that have a far reaching impact on local people's lives.
To crown it all it was announced that each leader would be given a bag of N.P.K Fertilizer. Hand clapping and ululations were heard from the room as they did not believe their ears.
They wished Satemwa Management well and wished the Fair trade community a prosperous 2012.
In the Video clip below chiefs perform a traditional thank you song/dance in appreciation of the fertiliser gift as a Satemwa Senior Manager (in waist coat) joins in.

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RAINS AT LAST

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:35:00 +0000

Long at last rains have come.
The rain season in Malawi starts in October/November. This year has been unusual especially the Southern Region of the country, for it it has taken before rain starts falling. As a country that depends on rain fed agriculture, it was becoming unpredictable as to what was going to happen to most agribusinesses and the food security for most local Malawians. We received first rains in October and some people had planted maize which is the stapple food crop. November was dry and crops were beggining to wilt. December was unusually dry and hot leading to further wilting of the maize. Tea estates on the other hand have recorded lower crop for the same time the previous season.
We were beginning to lose hope as the month of December passed. Prayers for rain were being advocated by all.
The weather forecasts also became unpredictable as reports kept changing day in day out.
On 28th December 2011 information had it that some parts had received good rains. Today 29th December our area has also received what would be described as good rains. The weather forcast for Thyolo looks promising for the next 10-15 days. Thanks heavens.
Those who had planted and the crops have matured and wilted are uprooting (the most unfortunate part) and replanting. The negative side of this is that maize seed and fertiliser sourcing becomes more challenging to average malawians.
Others who planted some two weeks ago are applying fertilisers. Life is normalising.
Everybody's hope is that this rainfall parterncontinues till March when maize will be fully mature and tea yields increasing.
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SPORTS AFTER WORKING IN A TEA FIELD

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:52:00 +0000

It is not working always: Sitting in the office I was amazed to see tea pluckers from our Satemwa Division clad in a beautiful sports uniform. I went to talk to them. They told me one of their friends got injured and they were taking him to the clinic for treatment. I wanted to know further what it was that they were doing and they advised me that they were preparing for an inter divisional match between Satemwa and Mwalanthunzi.
These people were quite excited with the uniform. The sports uniform has been provided for using the Satemwa Fair Trade Premium. All Tea divisions have had a set of football kit. In addition the JB also made provision for shields to be competed for by both men and women.

Sportsmen from a tea plantation

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THE SOLAR POWER GENERATED WATER PROJECT TAKES OFF

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:24:00 +0000

The Satemwa Fair Trade Joint Body are at it again, this time with a more sustainable project. As water continues to be amongst the most life hinging utilities, the JB have embarked on a project that will see water being pumped using solar power. When completed workers at Mwalanthunzi Division and the next Village will benefit from the project. Currently a bore has been sunk, a solar pump and solar panels installed plus a water tank on a raised stand. What remains is the piping and construction of a water kiosk with several points from where to draw the water.
This sounds quite advanced in a rural area all courtesy of Fair trade.

Previously people from the area have been drawing water from a source that can be classified as semi protected. This will be a thing of the past. The other benefit is that there will be no electricity billing. It is hoped that should this project prove to be a success then some areas will be considered for such solarised water project.
In the pictures below the tank, the solar panels and a photo of women drawing water from a semi protected well.

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SATEMWA FAIR TRADE DONATES MALARIA DRUGS TO THE CLINIC

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:17:00 +0000

Malungo Zii!!!!!!!!! (Meaning Malaria Free). This is the goal being pursued by all primary health service providers in Malawi.
In view of the impact of malaria to people, especially Satemwa workers, it was decided to make a provision for malaria drugs to the clinic in readiness for the oncoming rainy season when malaria cases are high.
the basis is that during the rainy season when peolple should be coming to work, they are mostly down with malaria or are absent from work attending to children, spouses or relatives down with malaria. This affects their levels of income.
Using the Fair trade Premium the Joint Body approved a request for drugs. This includes LA, (recommended drug for malaria) Paracheck, Pain Killers and other supporting drugs.
It is expected that all suspected malaria cases will be tested using the testing kits and the treated.
The expectation of the JB as per Mr. Kalowa (JB Chair), is that children will be given priority.
Speaking when she received the drugs Ellen Gama the Enrolled Nurse/Midwife for the clinic was all smile as this will make life better. She spoke highly about Fair trade regarding how people's livelihoods are being supported. She on the other hand wished Satemwa was only selling its teas through Fair trade so that such projects would be sustained.
A group of on lookers were patients waiting for treatment and I could see suprise and happiness on their faces and they could not help clapping for Fair trade.

In this photo, The JB Chairman (right) is handing over drugs to the Nurse (left in uniform) as a cross section of people watches.

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SATEMWA PLANS TO PROVIDE SOLAR ENERGY GENERATED WATER TO THE COMMUNITY IN THYOLO

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:20:00 +0000

Climatic change continues to impact lives.One of such effects is intermittent power supply coupled with high electricity tariffs. These fused together makes provision of essentials to life such as water difficult. More so when the water generation is is electricity dependent. As demand for water in communities around Satemwa Tea Estate increases the Fair Trade Joint Body were approached with requests for additional boreholes to those sunk last year. Upon discussing the issue the Satemwa Management provided guidance to provide water using Solar energy. Currently plans are underway to sink a borehole and install a solar driven pump. This project is likely to benefit a considerable number of households within our Mwalanthunzi Division and the adjacent Mbeluko Village. Should this pilot project work, then a decision will be made regarding other sites.
It is anticipated that this will be sustainable as compared to electricity dependent systems.
The project is courtesy of Fair trade premium funds.

In the picture below the supplier of Solar pumps is seen briefing JB and Satemwa Managers on how the system works

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SATEMWA JOINT BODY USES THE FAIR TRADE PREMIUM TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY POLICING SET UPS IN VILLAGES IN THYOLO

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:40:00 +0000

As advance by Abraham Maslow in his motivation theories, a worker needs to be secure within his/her livelihood in order to perform better and happily. This concept is also included in the Satemwa Mission and Vision statement,''to have a workforce that is socially taken care of.
In this regard, Satemwa supports Community policing activities within Thyolo District. This is evidenced by the appointment of the Satemwa General Manager - Mr Emmott as in-charge of two community forum panels.
In addition to the Satemwa support thus the Fair trade Joint Body having been approached by the community agreed to support the two fora with security items such as push bikes, whistles, torches and shoes.
These were presented at a function held at the headquarters of Group Village Headman Maonga.
The function was witnessed by Thyolo Police Officials, traditional leaders and people from around Mphuka Traditional Authority, Satemwa managers and Joint Body members.
Group Village Headman Maonga was all smiles upon receipt of these items as a donation towards Community Policing. He said the bicycle will ease transport problems being faced by the committee when there is need to travel from one point to another to attend to local security issues in the area. He further thanked the Satemwa Management for coming up with the idea to go fair trade. As a former Joint Body member, he reiterated that he is aware that this is happening because the Fair trade tea consumer has continued to buy teas from Satemwa and wished if that continued so the plight of local Thyolo communities should benefit even more.
In his address, the Station Officer for Thyolo Police Station said he did not take this for granted. He attributed the gesture to the good neighborliness that Satemwa was being applauded for by all stakeholders and asked those present to extend their thanks to Satemwa management. Regarding Fair trade, he was so surprised to note that there are such consumers who have the passion of people who participate in the production of the products they buy. Wished if they could continue drinking tea from Satemwa.

In the Photo,the Joint Body Chairman (right) and the Thyolo Police Station Officer (left) are handing over the push Bicycle to Group Village Headman Maonga (centre)

For more visit: www.satemwa.com
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SATEMWA TEA ESTATE JOINT BODY DONATES 9 HOUSES TO SATEMWA PRIMARY SCHOOL (PLUS 6 TO OTHER SCHOOLS IN THYOLO

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Sat, 14 May 2011 06:15:00 +0000

12th May shall hardly be forgotten in the history of Satemwa Primary School. This day was when Teachers houses built using the Fair trade premium were officially handed over to the Satemwa Community through the school committee. Present at this function were among others: Mr. Cathcart Kay - Managing Director for Satemwa Estate, The Village Head woman Chidzinja, the Fair trade liaison officer for Malawi- Mr Aubrey Nyasulu, members of the joint body, school committee members and the teaching staff for the school plus Satemwa estate Managers.To express happiness, the function was characterized by traditional dances such as Gule wamkulu and Manganje.
In his speech the school committee chair said the community has expectations from the teachers now that they are going to be well hosed amongst them being: Government will send better and well qualified teachers to the school so that pupils of the school can benefit in return and be able to speak English which is the number one mod of business communication.
The Fair trade PSR for Malawi thanked the Satemwa MD for his commitment in ensuring that they live up to the Satemwa Social Responsibility program. He informed those present that for things to get to where they are today there is more to it. He gave an example of what the producer goes through in order to become Fair trade certified that enormous costs were incurred in the process.He rated Satemwa to be amongst the best Fair trade players.Finally asked the public to continue supporting Satemwa in order to sustain the Fair trade market.
The Headmaster of the school Mr. Mahere was all smiles as his teachers, including himself will now be staying in better houses. on behalf of other schools he thanked the Satemwa management and the Satemwa Joint Body for the Houses.
''Chip" briefly gave a background to Satemwa's Fair trade undertaking. He hinted that the company believes that ''No man is an island". meaning no one can work in isolation. He said that the Tea bush is a magical machine but does not work on its own. It requires people to work on it in order to derive required outcomes from it. It is with this background that Satemwa takes pride and commitment to support it workforce and the surrounding community, socially. He gave credit to the hard working workforce who have made all this possible to happen.
Went on to say that this idea can only be sustained if the Tea market was growing. He told the gathering that 1kg of made tea makes about 400 cups and wished more tea cups of the Satemwa tea were drunk thus more premium money and more such projects as the one being inaugurated.
He said his main ambition is to see to it that the nation especially children from the surrounding community get better education. As such he encouraged teachers to be dedicated and ensure English was given priority.

The Teacher's Houses project has been rated as one of the best premium funded projects by the Joint Body

In the picture, Mr Cathcart Kay, MD for Satemwa is cutting a ribbon to mark the official opening of Satemwa Teachers' Houses

For more log on to www.satemwa.com
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FAIR TRADE PREMIUM FOOD SECURITY SUPPORT - LEADS TO BUMPER MAIZE HARVEST

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Fri, 06 May 2011 08:24:00 +0000

It is maize harvesting time in the Southern Region of Malawi. In Thyolo people are now busy harvesting their maize from gardens. But the story is a bit different around Satemwa Estate especially to those who applied a basal dressing of 23:21:0 + 4S fertiliser sold out to workers of Satemwa Tea Estate at a slightly subsidised price.
One worker (Mr.Chimwala) I spoke to had this to say, ''Fertiliser are fertilisers but not all fertiliser are the same''. Several other workers are all smiles and thanks to Fair trade due to such livelihood support projects. The meaning here is that this particular product was quite different from other fertilisers of the same brand. The JB made sure to procure the fertiliser from a reputable source hence the utility realised was quite rewarding. comperatively people have harvested more than their last year harvest and the attribute is going to serveral factors: 1. The timely acquisition of the basal fertiliser, 2. The quality of the fertiliser. "We have managed to harvest more maize due to Fair trade support", is what most workers are saying. The issue here is that fertiliser is the most scare and unaffordable farm input to local farmers.Sometimes one would get it later than required, when the maize has passed the stage requiring such a product. Since maize is a fast and short period growing crop by the time one raises funds to buy it. The provision of it to workers had eased the pressure and enable them to apply fertiliser timely while they softly repaid for it. For this to be sustained there is need for a continuous fair trade market so the premium continues to come.

For more, log on to:www.satemwa.com

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SATEMWA BUILDS THE GUARDIAN SHELTER FOR THYOLO HOSPITAL USING FAIR TRADE PREMIUM FUNDS

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 07:19:00 +0000

As per our last post, Guardians for patients at the biggest referral hospital in Thyolo were having a night mare.
Either there was no place to sleep or prepare food for the patients.
Having been approached by hte community, assembly and hospital administration, Satemwa came to their rescue by agreeing to use the Fair trade funds to construct a guardian shelter.
The building has been constructed at the cost of +$65,000 and is at completion stage.
The Managing Director and the General Manager for Satemwa went to inspect the project to ensure quality before handing it over to the hospital. (Photo below).

Mr. C. Kay (MD) and Mr. R.G.Emmott (GM)
(sharing ideas after the inspection of the building)

The photos below are the current guardian shelter with women busy preparing supper for their relatives in hospital and the photo to the right is the Satemwa built Guardian shelter where guardians will be sleeping and preparing food. The building has 2 cooking apartiments with 8 cooking places and sleeping rooms.

Front view of the New Guardian Shelter

Patient Guardians seen at the old Shelter.

This is a typical example of life before Fair trade.

Without Fair trade it might have been difficult to

assist these people with a decent structure as the one above.

Indeed Fair Trade does change peoples' lives and livelihoods.

for more visit: www.satemwa.com

Satemwa Workers Joint Body trip to Kibena Tea Estate, Tanzania

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:17:00 +0000

16 members of the Satemwa Tea Estate Workers Joint Body arrived at Kibena Tea Estate, Mbeya Province after a long journey from Thyolo in Southern Malawi. Kibena is one of three estates forming the Mufindi Tea Group.

The first surprise for the group was to find that during peak season, the workforce is just 400 (compared to around 2,500 at Satemwa), due to plucking being mechanised and requiring only two people to operate the machinery.

The group became Fairtrade certified in 1998 and the joint body has spent close to US$2million (about MWK9.2M ) on projects around the estate and in the community, focusing on education, health, water, social and entertainment. Similarly to Satemwa, they pay school fees for some of the children of workers and have built teachers houses. In addition, they have been able to provide one of their schools with computers.

The JB could sympathise with some of the challenges faced by the host joint body such as the need to make sure that the strict fairtrade standards are always adhered to as well as the high expectations of workers and communities despite lower premiums being received. It was also noted that Kibena had a good working relationship with the surrounding communities and that the big projects they had worked on (social halls, 8 bore holes) had had a great impact, with many beneficiaries. They were interested to hear about our solar projects and experiences since fairtrade certification.

The Kibena Joint body members have promised to visit Satemwa and all of the JB members agreed that the visit was extremely valuable and had opened their eyes to some new ideas for the day-to-day running of the JB.

We would also like to thank the Satemwa Management for allowing the JB members time away from the estate during this trip.
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Joint Body set off on International Visit to Mufindi, Tanzania

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 06:11:00 +0000

The Satemwa Workers Joint Body delegation set off from Satemwa Tea Estate early this morning on their much anticipated visit to Mufindi Tea Company in Tanzania. The visit has taken a lot of planning and is aimed at sharing experiences with a neighbouring Joint Body Committee.

The five day trip will see the Joint Body travel the length of Malawi into Southern Tanzania before being shown around some of the projects that the Mufindi Joint Body have been working on.

It is hoped that the visit will enable both Joint Bodies to share ideas and methods for managing projects and overcoming problems they may have experienced along the way.

Hopefully, we'll be able to host them ourselves next time!

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Latest Distribution of Solar Panels from Satemwa Fair trade Workers Joint Body

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:45:00 +0000

The latest distribution of solar panels to the workers on Satemwa Tea Estate took place this week, with 398 panels being handed out to the workers' local communities. Each worker receives a solar panel, light bulb and rechargeable batteries and the kits can be used to charge mobile phones, light homes and listen to radios.

Smart Stima, Joint Body Secretary said "The panels have been specially designed and made from materials, which are easy to source locally. This means that they are easy to repair if they stop working and provides more people with jobs."

"This has been one of our most popular projects and it seems that we can't hand them out quick enough!"

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Thyolo Hospital Receives Maize Donation From Satemwa Fairtrade Workers Joint Body

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Thu, 06 May 2010 07:13:00 +0000

Today, Thyolo District Hospital took delivery of 57 bags of Maize donated by the Satemwa Tea Estates' Fairtrade Workers Joint Body. The bags were part of the this years Maize Distribution following the success of the Joint Body Maize Distribution programme in 2009 to alleviate hunger due to the Maize shortage experienced last year.

Mr Rabson Kalowa, Joint Body Chairman said "At the time, 2,500 bags (approximately 125,000kg) of Maize were purchased by the JB and sold to workers at a heavily subsidised price (about 50% of the purchase price) - 1 bag of maize for each of the 2443 workers and their families.

"It was suggested by some of the workers that the remaining 57 bags should be donated to the local, Thyolo District hospital. This suggestion was unanimously agreed by the Joint Body committee and we are pleased that we can help the wider community in this small way."

The presentation was attended by Thyolo District Commissioner, Mr Mandere, Mr Tindwa of the Tea Association of Malawi and Thyolo District Medical Officer, Dr Jame, who said "The hospital faces many challenges in supporting the Thyolo community and the support provided through these Fairtrade initiatives is greatly appreciated. We are very grateful to the Satemwa Fairtrade Workers Joint Body for this donation"

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Now even easier to keep up to date with the Satemwa Tea Estate Fair Trade Workers Joint Body

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:54:00 +0000

We have found time between the many projects our members are working on to make it even easier for you to keep up to date with the activities of the Satemwa Joint Body committee.

To get updates emailed sent straight to your inbox, simply enter your email address into the "Subscribe" box in the sidebar (or just click here) and enter the confirmation code on the next screen.

Alternatively, you can subscribe to an RSS feed for the latest news.

Either way, we hope you will now find it easier to enjoy learning more about the projects we are involved in.

New Water Supply for Chizinja Village

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:12:00 +0000

Work is underway to provide a new water supply to Chizinja village on Satemwa Tea Estate. A new borehole has been dug, with a pump house and storage tank to follow soon. The works have been financed by the Satemwa Workers Committee Joint Body, through Fairtrade Premium funds. This work represents the culmination of a larger project to build improved Teachers housing in the village.

The borehole will supply clean water to Satemwa School and the new Teacher's housing in Chizinja village. The Joint Body have employed local contractors based in Blantyre to oversee the works and look forward to the completion of this project.

Satemwa Fairtrade Joint Body Distributes Mosquito nets

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:33:00 +0000

This week saw the Satemwa Workers Committee Joint Body distribute the first instalment of mosquito nets to workers. The Thyolo District has a high prevalence of Malaria all year round and the project aims to help reduce the burden on both the Privately-funded Satemwa Clinic and Thyolo District Hospital. With many worker's families affected by malaria, this was a very popular project to undertake.

All members of the Satemwa workforce were entitled to receive mosquito nets and the joint body has arranged for each worker to receive two nets, which have been purchased through money generated by the fairtrade premium. In addition to the borehole projects and education initiatives, the Satemwa joint Body is actively playing its part in improving the community's general health.

Satemwa Fairtrade Joint Body Bus Arrives!

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:43:00 +0000

Satema Fair Trade Workers Joint Body Bus

The Satemwa Fair Trade Joint Body are the proud recipients of the new Workers' Fair Trade Bus, which will be put to work ferrying workers up and down the Estate's 7km Dirt Road.

Up until now, workers have had to walk or cycle the undulating estate road on the side of Thyolo Mountain. The bus will be available to all workers on the estate for a nominal fee, which will be used to support the maintenance and running costs of the bus.

Satemwa Fairtrade Joint Body Chairman, Rabson Kalowa said "The bus is great news for all of the workers as it will help everyone get to and from the factory and fields more easily and safely.

The bus will also be used to help transport the sports teams that the Joint Body supports"

THYOLO DISTRICT HOSPITAL NEEDS A GUARDIAN SHELTER

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:49:00 +0000

"It does not rain it pours". This is the state of affairs at the magnificent Thyolo Government Hospital located in a Tea growing district of Thyolo.
Rainy days are regarded as hell to those patient guardians as there is nowhere to prepare meals and sleep hence guardians are forced to sleep in wards. Imagine if a guardian has a baby and what that means to such babies.
The community saw this as a great need requiring cooperation in order to be addressed.
Having heard news about the Satemwa Fairtrade Joint Body's potential to assist with community based projects they approached us with their proposal for the construction of the Guardian Shelter and a kitchen. Currently discussions are underway to see how best this can be put into reality. We have attended one meeting which was also attended by local chiefs and the Parliamentarian for the area

Photo: A Guardian Shelter and Kitchen currently in use at Thyolo Hospital

For more visit: http://www.satemwa.com/

MSUWADZI ASSOCIATION GETS A VSO VOLUNTEER

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:26:00 +0000

Finally Smallholder Tea growers have been given permission to engage a VSO Volunteer thanks to the hard-working spirit of Mr. Kasitomu - Association President. It took him courage and time to travel up and down to Lilongwe trying to convince those concerned.

When the first volunteer couple (Mike and Penny) left without prospects for their replacement, life became uncertain as to how the Smallholder Tea Farmers were going to manage the Fairtrade Premium and their projects.

Matthew Strickland (VSO) is now settling in and we strongly hope the Msuwadzi Association will now have the capacity to manage its projects as well as having the ability to link up with other agents in order to leverage their financial base.

In addition, he will also be assisting the Satemwa Joint Body in areas of project identification and management as this happens to be his area of specialisation.

For more log onto: www.satemwa.com

FAIRTRADE MEDIA PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR VISITS SATEMWA ESTATE

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:16:00 +0000

On Wenesday 27th January 2010, we received visitors from the Fairtrade Foundation who were on a fact finding mission with regards to the Fairtrade Media Project.

Annette Muller (Video and Digital Project Co-ordinator and team leader) was accompanied by Richard.

They met with Smallholder Tea growers and Joint Body members.

Among other issues, they advised us of the objective behind the project - To do stories and or capture clips that will give fairtrade consumers out there a true picture of the impact fairtrde is making towards changing people's lives.

Annette and Richard were stunned to note that Satemwa Joint Body is a step ahead in terms of communicating with the customers and other interested parties - by way of a blog onto which stories are posted.

They promised to link this blog with the Fairtrade facebook .

Photo: Annete Muller demonstrating to JB women members

on how to take video clips using a cellphone

For more info, visitthe website: www.satemwa.com

Major water project underway

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:10:00 +0000

A major project has started to pipe clean water from the mountain down to various areas of Chizinja village, bordering Satemwa Estates.

Chizinja has approximately 4000 members. At present they have boreholes fro drinking water in some areas (2 supplied by the Fairtarde Joint Body) but many people are still taking water from the streams and other unprotected water sources.

The JB - in partnership with village Headwoman, Mai Chizinja, village committees, Thyolo Ministry of Irrigation Department and Irrigation Officers – have already started the preliminary stages of feasibility studies and topographic surveys. The team have found a water source high up close to the peak of the mountain. It is a natural spring producing significant enough quantities of water.

Earlier attempts to find water failed because the river banks are too eroded and the water is not clean due to people excreting in it further upstream. Natural springs and sources further down the mountain were also discounted because they are already a source of water supplies for other villages and farmers.

A major concern with drawing water from so high up the mountain is the tragic deforestation that has taken part over the last 10 years. What was a huge rainforest is now gone, replaced by smallholders growing Maize and bananas. This means that various streams and water sources are drying up in dry months and flooding in the rain seasons. Part of the water project will, therefore, require working very closely with the villagers to sensitise them to the importance of reforestation in the area above the spring. The area is, in part, already protected because there are 2 very large snakes living above the spring, preventing encroachers from other villagers planting that high.

Connex Banda and Rose Singhano, JB water project committee members, remarked “we walked all around the area and thought ‘ this is good because there are more trees and we have found water’ but that was because nobody had told us then about the huge snakes! We were lucky, but we also think these snakes could protect our water!”

Secondary School Bursaries

noreply@blogger.com (Blog Manager) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:48:00 +0000

Satemwa JB have expanded their school bursary program from 50 to 117 students this term.

Students are accepted on a needs basis through the Joint Body Education sub-committee.

The project is managed by Rabson Kalowa, JB Chairman, personally to ensure the necessary administration is undertaken in time. Coordinating wit the schools and parents over such a large area, especially with poor communication channels available, has been very challenging.

The bursaries project, although successful and popular in the main, has not been without its challenges this year. Unfortunately, one headmaster has been found to have misappropriated the bursary funds for his own use. Issues around power and social standing make these kinds of activities very difficult for JB members to stand up to.