Women's Self Help groups

We work closely with St John of God Services for the past 9 years.
Since our first visit to Mzuzu, we have been welcomed and have a rooming their house/monastery, which has enabled us to set up our mission and also to expand. Without them much of what we do would be impossible.

Today we went to a Cluster meeting of Self Help groups in a place called Chigere, about 15 km from the city, but since the Government built bridge was washed away months ago, vehicular access is impossible and so a long trek on bad roads was necessary.

This elf Help idea is a brilliant development tool, introduced by Br Aidan Clohessy some years ago. It does what it says on the tim. It is TRUE self help with No financial input from outside the groups. It leaves micro Credit and all these robbing, banking set ups in he shade. People save, lend to each other, and pay interest to the group. it works a treat.
Groups invite us to help with water, preschools, adult education and nutrition. We then work on THEIR plans, Progress is amazing and not unexpectedly it involves only women.
Here we had six groups in various stages of development introduced to us by Francisco who directs this operation for SJOG.
Once again these people have no wells.Maybe they are too far of the main road for sparkling four by fours, maybe the terrain is too hard or the water table too deep. Anyway Wells for Zoe, can and will deliver our new pumps with a FIVE YEAR guarantee.
Hot as the day was (over 40 degrees), tough as the terrain was, these women would make you forget your age, your aches and pains and maybe even your hunger, so positive were they.

Another good day to be alive, maybe truly alive.