Mtalimanja Village was built with funds from the Nu Skin
Force for Good Foundation in 2007.
The village is home to the School of Agriculture for Family Independence (SAFI) and is focused on helping the people of Malawi learn better agricultural techniques to provide for themselves and their families. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and one in three people in Malawi is threatened by hunger every day. The majority of the people are farmers and live on less than one dollar a day. Named by the local people of Malawi, Mtalimanja means "long hands that give."
The village is home to the School of Agriculture for Family Independence (SAFI) and is focused on helping the people of Malawi learn better agricultural techniques to provide for themselves and their families. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and one in three people in Malawi is threatened by hunger every day. The majority of the people are farmers and live on less than one dollar a day. Named by the local people of Malawi, Mtalimanja means "long hands that give."
The foundation, in partnership with local non-profit
organizations and civic groups, built an actual village at Mtalimanja to house
30-40 farmers and their families while they are educated in fish farming, drip
irrigation, sustainable farming, forest conservation, tree farming, animal
husbandry, nutrition and other subjects. Husbands and wives attend classes
together and children are sent to primary school.
Families attending SAFI spend their second year of study
back at home and continue to learn through an extension program. They implement
their new skills and teach these principles to others, including their
children, to ensure that the ideals of self-sufficiency will last for
generations.
May 2009 was the first graduation ceremony for students from the School of Agriculture for Family Independence. The graduation was nothing short of a celebration as graduates danced across the stage to receive their diplomas. The village has thrived during the past three years as residents have learned proper farming and irrigation techniques they will now use when teaching in their own villages.
The second class will graduate in June 2011 and the third class of student families has just arrived in Mtalimanja this fall.
May 2009 was the first graduation ceremony for students from the School of Agriculture for Family Independence. The graduation was nothing short of a celebration as graduates danced across the stage to receive their diplomas. The village has thrived during the past three years as residents have learned proper farming and irrigation techniques they will now use when teaching in their own villages.
The second class will graduate in June 2011 and the third class of student families has just arrived in Mtalimanja this fall.
"What
is so significant about this program is that it's not about giving
handouts, it's about giving people knowledge,
skills and hope. It's a real opportunity to become self-reliant and help others
to do the same."
Sandie Tillotson, member of the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation's executive committee
Sandie Tillotson, member of the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation's executive committee
