This innovative programme has changed daily life for thousands of people on two tea estates, through the diversifying of income and providing access to sustainable light.
In Malawi – one of the world’s poorest countries – many of its 50,000 tea workers are still paid below the Living Wage benchmark, and less than 6% of rural households have electricity.
On tea estates, many tea farmers struggle to do anything after dark, such as cooking and household chores, and children are unable to study.
Kuwala – named after the Chichewa word for ‘shine’ – addressed this by introducing income diversification, savings groups, and sustainable solar lights to two tea estates.
Project overview
Kuwala ran for three years and had two focus areas; to boost and diversify farmer incomes through savings groups, and improve their access to light.
Project partners
In collaboration with Tata Consumer Products Ltd, Kuwala aimed to improve the lives and livelihoods of tea estate workers at their suppliers’ sites in Malawi (Eastern Produce Malawi and SATEMWA estates).
We established Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) – groups that help tea estate communities sustainably address basic household needs, such as food, healthcare, education, and house improvements. They also help people start or upscale their own small businesses, to diversify their incomes.
Meanwhile, distribution of solar lights allowed communities to extend their days and engage in activities after dark they were not able to do before. This proved particularly useful to complete chores and help children with homework.
The activities of the project were successfully completed, with the final evaluation highlighting that:
A sustainability plan was also put in place to ensure continuation of Kuwala’s results into the future.
Pico Solar Lamps distributed to tea workers and their families
tea workers trained in maintenance and repair of lamps by sustainable energy consultancy, Wupla Enterprise
active Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs)
active VSLA members (more than half women)
of participants reported an increase of their income, of which 51% were women
of participants diversified their income
Two years since joining his local Village Saving and Loans Association, 33-year-old Yohane is happy with his accomplishments.
After joining her local Village Savings and Loans Association, tea worker Fanny Paul gained the financial knowledge she needed to
