Saint John of God Hospitaller Services – Malawi
Self Help Group Project
Saint John of God Hospitaller Services, Mzuzu has been implementing the Self Help Group (SHG) Project since 2010 to empower the poorest of poor women economically, socially and politically through savings and credit, social involvement and group cohesion in partnership with Kindernolthilfe (KNH), Germany.
Since its inception the organization has facilitated 72 SHG Groups throughout our catchment area. As of September, 2013, the once poor women have:
• Total Savings amounting to Malawi Kwacha 14,807,964
• Malawi Kwacha 26, 332, 420 loan amount disbursed to date.
• 1379 members with 2085 girls and 2065 boys.
• Involvement in various trade and capacity to feed children and send them to school easily
In order to strengthen the project, Saint John of God Hospitaller Services organized an open day for all seventy-two Self Help Groups to meet together at one place (Saint John of God College Hall) on 3rd September 2013 where there was sharing of testimonies on how other women have benefitted with self-help, a role model group which showed how a strong and good SHG should be, drama, songs, poems and then later a fundraising activity for the four Cluster Level Associations.
The function was attended by community leaders, District social welfare officials, Staff and various media houses. Media houses aired interviews with some women from various groups on how Self Help is transforming them socially, economically and politically. About 1000 women attended the function.
Women’s testimonies during the open day gave evidence on how the self-help approach is really alleviating women’s poverty based on the three pillars. Through this open day many groups have been strengthened and are really working hard so that they too can do well just like the role model groups.
Saint John of God Hospitaller Services Malawi provides community-based mental health services, and services for children with a disability and or special needs.
