Case Studies

Habitat for Humanity was established in 1986 with the aim of alleviate housing poverty amongst underprivileged people. Over 3,000 houses have built and handed over to vulnerable families and disabled people in Salima district (Malawi) where Constructing Jobs, Building Lives project is being implemented by Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity has been looking for ways of improving lives of underprivileged people beyond providing decent shelter to poor families and disabled people. Constructing Jobs, Building Lives (CJBL) project which is focusing on empowering youths with construction, entrepreneurship, life and digital literacy skills has been found to be reliable and a complimentary solution to problems which Habitat For Humanity work to eradicate. Speaking during official opening event of Habitat Resource Centre in Salima, National Director of Habitat For Humanity Malawi (HFHM), Kelvin Kalonga thanked delegation of European Union (EU) for providing funding for this project which will see at least 100 disadvantaged youths from Salima being trained in Carpentry & Joinery and Bricklaying and Making courses and assured the gathering that Habitat for Humanity will do its level best to deliver quality education and inspire underprivileged youths to achieve their dreams through CJBL project . “European Union through Habitat for Humanity and SOS Children Malawi is giving best gift, skill and knowledge, to underprivileged youths from Salima,” Kelvin Kalonga added. Mussah Chatuwa, Project Coordinator (HFHM), further added that CJBL project will improve lives of more 100 youths who will be trained at Habitat Resource Centre as the grandaunts will be employing other youths from the community and also be a productive citizen who will be paying taxes to government. Habitat Resource Centre was officially opened on 16th July, 2018 and 30th July, 2018, 42 selected underprivileged youths from Salima started their journey of becoming an entrepreneurs.

My name of Batison Bisalome, I stay in Mfuti Village, T/A Kalonga Salima. After undergoing 6 months trainings in Carpentry & Joinery at Habitat Resource Centre in 2018, I decided to start my own carpentry and joinery business. I have established this business in May 2019. My desire to be independent and responsible citizen has been my greatest drive for starting up my own business. Before I was trained at Habitat Resource Centre, I was relying on piecework to support my mother and siblings. Thanks to Habitat For Humanity and donors for equipping me with skills in Carpentry & Joinery and entrepreneurship during the training and internship. I started from scratch a week after completing internship at Emmanuel Workshop. With the few tools I bought with the money I saved during the internship, I started this business. This is a first month in business but I have sold out a bed, coffee table and door. And I have also received part payment from customer for bed. I have to admit starting up a business is not easy, I have faced many challenges. As you know carpentry and joinery business requires one to have many tools to fully meet customer demands, so far I have few tools, I don’t have enough capital and I rely on renting tools from other carpenters. I have already started and I want to elect workshop shed, buy more tools and materials. I will appreciate for any support to meet my startup costs. My future plan is to have my business registered and grow this workshop into a bigger workshop with electric machines and employ more peoples. My advice to my fellow is that the time is here now, there is no better day to start your business than today. Whatever skills you have, start your journey of being your own boss with that.