Tiwale means “let us shine” in Chichewa, one of the national languages of Malawi. Tiwale is also the name of Ellen Chilemba’s for-profit social enterprise in Malawi. Tiwale’s mission is to empower women to develop sustainable ventures that transform communities. Tiwale started with a team of five young people, including Ellen Chilemba, between 14 and 19 years old in January, 2012. Now the main team consists of six Mount Holyoke students and four Malawian nationals.
Tiwale began an a business education program for women coupled with a micro-loan program. The first loan program enabled 12 women to start businesses. To date, Tiwale has trained 150 women in business education programs, guided 40 women to start businesses through micro-loans and trained 66 women with new vocation skills.
These skills include dying tapestries (like this one)
and dying and crafting tote bags that are sold both online and in Malawi. The revenue from the sale of these items is used to fund other programs run by Tiwale. These programs include a school grant program and the micro-finance loan program. Recently, Tiwale purchased land to build an education center that will offer secondary education classes as well as vocational training for women.
Tiwale is a fabulous example of an organization working to alleviate poverty in a sustainable way.
This is such an interesting perspective on alleviating poverty through business. Tiwale has a great idea of partnering with those in a difficult life situation, and through the partnership giving them a handshake, not a hand-out or a hand-up. I really enjoy learning about businesses that do this. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love that Tiwale is not only giving these ladies money, but they are backing that money with education. Its great to see this organization supporting women as entrepreneurs I also love that they are building an education center. Very inspiring!
What a great social entrepreneurship idea! I think it’s so interesting to hear the stories behind products made through programs like these, it’s such a great idea to easily help a community thrive. Also very interesting that it’s a for-profit business model – most ideas like these are non-profit, great to see that it’s been successful!
Wow this organization does a lot! I’ve noticed a lot of missionaries, charities, and other cool business ventures like this are doing a lot in Malawi. I had never heard of this one before though. I’m curious as to what type of businesses these women who have been trained have been able to create. Either way, I am glad to see how entrepreneurship can bring blessings in the most interesting way.