Mayamiko Cotton Project

The Mayamiko Cotton Project is based in Malawi, Africa in cooperation with local partners. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, life expectancy at birth is 41 years, well over half of the population live in extreme poverty and 175 out of 1,000 children on average die before they reach the age of 5 (World Health Statistics). Education is the key to escape extreme poverty. However many obstacles come in between children and their chance to be educated. Studies show that lifting women out of extreme poverty has amazing effects on reducing under-5 mortality rate and that it increases the chances of offspring being healthier and being sent to school to receive education. And that’s how the “virtuous circle” begins. Experts agree that these two steps are fundamental: providing education/training and a sustainable job that will generate a reliable income – and evidence shows that when women have money available it mostly goes to the benefit of their children, the family and the community.

Malawi grows cotton that is exported row for very low prices. Cotton is the fourth biggest export commodity but accounts only for 2% of the total export value (Malawi Trade Statistics, 2006). The project aims to source some of the precious cotton grown in Malawi, and use it locally to manufacture products with added value for the internal market and for export.

“During my life as an educator in secondary and university I have done several studies on girls education and they all seem to point to the fact that investing in girls education makes more economic sense now and later in future. Further, in my work as a member of parliament I have come to realize that just a little help to women goes a long way in improving household nutrition, economic status and welfare. I want to agree that if we can provide both, education/training as well as employment it would also bring in self-confidence in women. Therefore, the idea of a Cotton Lab or Factory appeals to me. Indeed education is the way out of poverty but socio-economic empowerment is even a faster way out of poverty. I agree with you that we have to try to carry out this project.”

Hon Kate Kainja, MP and Minister for Women and Child Development

To help you picture what we have in mind, have a look here!

Cotton Workshop

The Mayamiko Cotton project aims at supporting groups of women and vulnerable individuals in Malawi, by giving them sustainable employment and by adding value to cotton, the third biggest crop in the country, which is currently exported on the world markets for extremely low prices – almost nothing trickles down to the growers, the pickers and the other rural workers, who are largely women. To add to this tragic situation, the large majority of cotton products found in Malawi are imported at prohibitive prices.

We are working on setting up a workshop where a small group of women would be trained in the different textile processes: weaving or knitting, cutting, tailoring and all the way through the finished garments. We are thinking of simple items of everyday necessity: school uniforms, nurses or doctors uniforms, nappies, towels) to satisfy the huge demand on the internal market.

We are also planning to help the women manufacture a simple range of products for women, men and babies using “ethical” organic cotton, which would appeal to a western audience. We are supported by designers and textile experts in the creation of these pieces. One of our partners has committed to promote access to the ethical markets all around the world to make their work truly sustainable.

The project will employ local women. A humble start that will develop organically.


Women will:

• be paid a fair wage
• receive training to ensure skills transfer for sustainability
• jointly decide how to reinvest any profits
• need to join a free educational program and attend classes on literacy, maths, life skills, social skill, economics, accounting, computer skills etc.

>have the option to leave their babies and pre-school children in our nursery, where the children will be looked after, engaged in educational activities and fed healthy and nutritional food.

Skills Centre

Before the ladies can become productive – they need to learn how to. Skills training is at the heart of the project. Alongside the factory, to remove the barriers that stop women from getting into employment, we are planning to develop a training centre for technical and life skills. Mayamiko wants to use local expertise and the support of volunteers to teach the ladies technical and business skills. In time we would like to work with the local vocational training institution, TEVETA, to be able to offer a recognised qualification.

Nursery

As Mayamikans, we feel that a great way to support the ladies coming to the workshop is to offer them support looking after their little ones. This is why we want to build a nursery, where their babies and children will be looked after holistically, fed nutritious food and taken care of lovingly. We hope this will tackle the risks for Under-5 mortality, which is so high in the country.

Fashion School

One of the long-term objectives is to establish a fully fledged technical and fashion college, where technical and creative talents can be developed for sustainability and growth.

Lifeskills

There is a Chichewa saying that goes:

“Phukusi la moyo sasungilana”

This means literally “Do not let another keep the valuables of your life” – what it is really saying is that you need to look after your own destiny. While we think this is a very important message, we are also convinced that there is something we can do to help out taking care of everyone’s destiny a little more. This is why we are planning a lifeskills centre, where our friends have the chance to discuss important questions about life and get feedback from qualified staff.

IT & Computer Skills

We all love to stay in touch – and learn, and tell our friends what we are up to. We can also work more efficiently and find out interesting things. That’s why, if our friends want, we’ll teach them how to use the computer. We are sure they’ll have lots of fun with it!