Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019
Farming Futures: Growing eco-friendly rural business in Malawi
3 – 10 December 2019
What a difference a year makes. Last Christmas, many of you took part in Temwa’s Big Give Christmas Challenge. You helped us reach our goal of being able to support 10 farmer associations and community enterprises in 2019, and we were able to go even further to support 13. A big big thank you to all who took part.
“My life is changing.. First and foremost I am now able to earn money on my own, while previously I was relying on my husband’s income.” – Eliness
We have exciting news, we have been accepted to take part in the Big Give again, and in one month it all goes live!
Our 2019 Christmas Challenge is focused on continuing and growing this support to rural businesses in 2020. By taking part in this year’s challenge, you’ll help these 13 groups and enterprises add value to their products, e.g. turning maize or cassava into flour or refining honey, and reach new buyers through marketing support and training. Every donation to the project will be doubled to help farmers and families be part of community enterprises to increase their incomes.
“Thanks for all the support that Temwa gives to me and the people in my community… I planted more in my farm and I expect high yields so I can have more food for myself and my family” – Joyce
What’s more, the businesses supported are designed to be eco-friendly. They protect the local natural resources and forests, using them sustainably with support from local forestry bodies. For example, the Usingini beekeeping cooperative provides income and, as bees rely on forests, this creates a material incentive for tree conservation. This helps communities mitigate and adapt to the changing climates, improving the local eco-systems and local economy.
Farming Futures will enable families and communities to become more resilient to climate and economic shocks.
We are inviting you to be part of the Christmas Challenge 2019, every £1 goes a long way in Malawi and with donations doubled we can have double the impact. Sign up to receive a Big Give E-Reminder on the 3rd December and read our FAQ below to find out more about the process.
BIG GIVE E-REMINDER
“Our lives are being transformed now that we have diversified our livelihoods.” – Ward
Temwa’s Christmas Challenge 2019: FAQ’s
What is the Christmas Challenge?
Temwa has been selected to participate in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019, the UK’s largest match funding campaign. The challenge is a one week window where online donations, given through the Big Give platform to a charity of your choice, are doubled. From midday on the 3rd to midday on 10th December, each donation given directly to Temwa’s page on the Big Give website will be doubled, so it is the perfect time to contribute to our projects. If we reach our target of £20,000 that becomes £40,000!
What does my money support?
Your money will support farming households in remote communities in Nkhata Bay North, Malawi. Malawi itself is the third poorest country in the world and 2 in 5 people live on less than £1 a day in Nkhata Bay North. Most families (90%) farm to survive and during crises like droughts or food shortages, many resort to cutting down trees to sell wood at market or clear land for crops. Deforestation decreases the quality of the soil, making it harder to grow crops, and increases risks of flooding and droughts – leading to a negative cycle of poverty and climate insecurity.
In 2019, Temwa has helped establish and develop 13 Farmer Associations and Community Enterprises. Farmers are pooling resources and selling crops and goods at market. In 2020, Temwa will build on this work – helping develop viable enterprises with marketing and business skills training, and helping add value to produce with simple machinery and establishing broader markets. Farmer Association incomes will increase – meaning members and their families can save and invest for the future.
At the end of the project, at least 10 of the 13 Farmer Associations and enterprises will have achieved profit and be achieving top prices for their produce with established partnerships with buyers. The long term goal is that increased income will enable recipient households to be more resilient to climate and economic shocks as, for example, they will not need to resort to chopping down trees to sell. It will also help expand opportunities for their families, such as sending their children to school.
You can read the full budget to see where your money goes and aims on our Big Give project page.
How can I get involved?
The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge relies on everyone to participate, a little goes a long way in Malawi, especially with doubled donations. Without help from our supporters none of Temwa’s work would be possible. So from the 3rd to the 10th of December please give what you can.
Two Simple Steps
- Sign up to our E-reminders* or set an alarm on your phone or calendar for 12pm on the 3rd December with a link to the campaign page: http://bit.ly/TemwaBigGive19 .
- Have your 3D secure card details ready when you make your donation.
*You will only be contacted about the Big Give and you can ask us any questions about the Christmas Challenge through the form.