News – Page 21

MICROFINANCE

Our programme is a core part of our operations and our goal of helping women to fight the effects of HIV/AIDS by tackling poverty, which is a key driver of HIV/AIDS in Malawi and most parts of the world.

Youth groups

Youth programmes were established in 2015 and now there are 30 youth support groups. They are comprised of girls that are infected and those that are not infected by the virus.

Women's support groups

MASYAP’s 31 women’s support groups meet regularly and consist of members that are infected, affected and not affected women.

Due to the poor rains in Malawi this year, many of MASYAP’s members have found it a struggle to secure food for themselves. Thanks to a donation from Madiha Bakir, one of MASYAP’s board members, and donors in Luton, UK,

HIV Testing and Counselling, Balaka

With help businesswoman Mrs. Mpango, MASYAP visited her home town in Balaka, in order to spread information about HIV, as well as the work that MASYAP does. After talks by our Support Group Coordinator Marriam, and our Youth and HTC

HIV Testing and Counselling outreach in Nchalo

Last week, MASYAP visited Nchalo, to the south of Blantyre, in order to conduct HIV testing. Our Support Group Coordinator and our Youth and HTC Officer both talked to the women about HIV, before giving a small quiz on the

HIV testing and counselling in Mulanje

Due to the success of MASYAP’s visit to Mulanje in April, this month we returned to continue the work that we started last time. The day started with a talk about HIV/AIDS given by our Support Group Coordinator, who talked

Thank you!

World Appeal has donated a further £4,000 to MASYAP, £2,000 of which was donated by Challney Girls School in Luton. Thanks so much! Half of this will go towards expanding MASYAP’s recently created youth microfinance scheme (read more here), allowing

Road to Relief fundraiser

At the end of February, MASYAP were one of the beneficiaries of a fundraiser held at Ryall’s Hotel, Blantyre, by Road to Relief. The African-themed event started off with entertainment like traditional music and dances, before a meal, raffle and

MASYAP youth microfinance pilot scheme

MASYAP has begun to expand its microfinance scheme to some of the youth we work with; in total, 26 girls will be involved in the pilot scheme. At the beginning of this week, 17 girls from around Blantyre received microfinance

HIV Testing and Counselling in Mulanje

On Saturday 19th March MASYAP visited Mulanje, an area just outside Blantyre, to conduct HIV testing and counselling. The day started with a talk about HIV, followed by a quiz to test the knowledge they had been given.