Malawi
The Chikweo Mayi Wala Group comprises 10 women with an average age of 40. Based in rural Malawi and without access to electricity from the national grid, these women are engaged in the solar energy business. Violet Matemba, a 38-year-old mother of three, is one of the group’s members. She owns a restaurant and joined the Mayi Wala to improve energy access in her community.
This group of women is part of a large-scale solar lighting project led by Lendwithcare's partner, SolarAid. The project aims to bring clean, affordable light to households in some of the most remote areas of rural Malawi.
The impact of just one solar light on a family’s life is transformational:
- Families save significantly over the lifetime of a solar light, no longer needing to buy hazardous candles or kerosene lamps. These savings are redirected to essentials like food, school fees, and livelihood improvements.
- 97% of solar light users report feeling safer at night, avoiding the risks of open flames and benefiting from increased security provided by the lights.
- Children’s educational opportunities improve, with a 33% increase in homework completion after dark.
By working with local women’s groups, the project not only generates alternative income for participants but also establishes a reliable network of solar agents who can effectively reach underserved rural communities. This group will receive support from local partners SunnyMoney and FEBCO to identify households in need, sell solar products, and provide installation and maintenance services.
The loan provided to this group will enable them to purchase 500 Solar Light Systems to sell within their communities using a pay-as-you-go scheme. This model makes the systems more affordable and accessible, allowing households to pay in instalments rather than upfront.
Solar Light System Features
Each system includes:
- Three bright and efficient lamps (200 lm per watt), with adjustable brightness levels to meet varying needs.
- A durable solar panel and a wall-mount battery hub with a user-friendly display and keypad.
- A smartphone charging holder, wireless wall-mount light switch, and options for future system expansion with additional batteries, panels, and lamps.
The women’s group will sell each Solar Home System for approximately $53.46 (£42), earning a profit of around $15.94 (£13) per unit. These profits will be reinvested into the business to establish sustainable energy enterprises within their communities.
Loan Details and Timeline
The loan will be used to purchase the solar stock, with installations planned for April 2025. Following the installations, the women will set up payment schemes with their customers and begin collecting repayments. Loan repayments to Lendwithcare are scheduled to start in June 2025, with the full loan expected to be repaid within 24 months.
This project represents a significant opportunity to improve livelihoods, promote renewable energy adoption, and empower women to lead sustainable energy businesses in their local communities.
Loan added: 19 December 2024
Chikweo Mayi Wala Group's loan repayment schedule
| Date | Expected repayments | Actual repayments |
|---|---|---|
| £1,970.54 | ||
| £0.00 | ||
| £0.00 | ||
| £0.00 | ||
| £0.00 | ||
| £788.21 | ||
| £788.21 |
The above amounts are indicative, based on the exchange rate the day this loan was added to the website. The actual amounts you will receive will be based on an exchange rate at the time the repayment is returned to your account. See our Help Centre for more information.
