Latest news

Business skills, as important as practical skills

At the SMART Centre we value business skills as much as practical skills. As we aim for sustainability, we want our entrepreneurs to have a company they can manage on their own. Someone who is able to drill a borehole but doesn’t know how to make a quotation, will most definitely struggle with entrepreneurship. To refresh everyone’s knowledge, it was about time to organize another Business Training at the Centre.

Don’t fear, Lexah is here!

What do you do when trained entrepreneurs mention they lack the ability to manage their funds? When they are unsure of how much they are worth, and struggle with managing their profits in a sustainable way? You could lend them money, or provide them with equipment. But you could also invite Mrs. Lexah and organize a training with her.

Business Training

We have organized similar trainings in the past, and had very good experiences with Mrs. Lexah. She knows her stuff, and has an interactive way of teaching entrepreneurs how to manage their business. We invited her to the Centre in Luwinga and had 12 of our entrepreneurs attend the training. Besides various financial courses, she covered topics such as bookkeeping, market research and customer care.

Sustainability

These ten days of full-time training have provided the trainees with extensive knowledge on how to handle their business. This contributed greatly towards our aim for sustainability.

An eye opener

I am really appreciative of the training, as it was an eye-opener to improve the way I am doing my business. I am now interested in a drilling training, I have a market for that and I want to become SMART Centre’s first female driller.

Shelli Huma, trained and certified civil worker who attended the training.
SimoneBusiness skills, as important as practical skills
read more

Postponed until further notice – Short course on Self-supply Technologies

The CCAP SMART Centre Malawi, in collaboration with the SMART Centre Group, is organizing a short course on low-cost Water and Sanitation Technologies with a focus on Self-supply.

The course

The training will be given by specialists with 5 to 30 years of experience in rural water supply including Mr. Mzumala, who has drilled over 300 wells and Henk Holtslag, senior advisor of the SMART Centre Group. The training will include the demonstration of technologies like the SHIPO, Mzuzu and EMAS drilling, a range of 8 different hand and solar pumps, household water filters, latrines and the production of various parts.

For who?

The training is for WASH advisors of NGOs, Government Officials and those with general interest in learning more about technologies and approaches that can help to reach SDG 6 and other water related SDGs like poverty, food security & employment. The focus will be on solutions for households, farmers and small communities. Please note that the number of trainees is limited to 15.

The objectives

  1. Create awareness on SMARTechs.
    Simple, Market-based, Affordable, Repairable Technologies for Water and Sanitation.
  2. Create awareness on the existence and experiences of innovative approaches like supported Self-supply, Well Clubs and Faith & Water that can help in rural development.
  3. Discuss ideas on how to scale supply chains of low-cost water technologies, which are applicable for families, small scale irrigation and communal supply in remote rural communities.

When: Monday 8 June – Friday 12 June 2020

Where: SMART Centre Malawi, Luwinga, Mzuzu

Want to know more?

Click below for more information, such as the training fees and the modules.

Please note the Short Course on Self-supply Technologies has been postponed until further notice, due to the spreading of COVID-19. Thank you for understanding. If you’re interested in the course and would like to stay up-to-date on when the course will be held, please contact us. We will then message you in the future when further information is available.

SimonePostponed until further notice – Short course on Self-supply Technologies
read more

SMART Centre Malawi featured in the Rotary Magazine

Rotary Club Apeldoorn-‘t Loo has been a long time supporter of the SMART Centre in Malawi through the ‘Walking for Water’ fundraising activities. Recently the Rotary Magazine published a short article in Dutch on this long term partnership, underlining the need for local production through local businesses.

The full article can also be accessed through the website of Rotary Netherlands.

SimoneSMART Centre Malawi featured in the Rotary Magazine
read more

Our local Young Expert James on his adventures abroad

YEP batch 18, Photography by Manon Visser, courtesy of YEP Programmes

As you may remember, we have sent James to the Netherlands to attend the Young Expert Programme as part of his role as local Young Expert here at the SMART Centre. He returned from his training in December, so it was about time we sat him down to ask all about his adventures abroad. We spoke about what surprised him most, and how he spent his free time. Enjoy the read!

Tell us, what was the most exciting thing about the training?

“The training was full of exciting topics to equip participants with skills on personal development. The most exciting thing was to understand your personal preferences through MBTI instrument and how you can use them productively in a workplace. As a person I have strong preference in certain things and unique way of approach to different things.”

How will you apply these new findings here in Mzuzu?

“At the office we have different personalities all trying to achieve a common goal. Appreciating our different preferences and style is key. I might not be good at everything and should be flexible to learn from others.”

We can imagine it was quite intensive. Did you struggle with anything during the training?

“Finding myself in an environment which was completely different from where I am coming from was really a struggle. Language was the most challenging of all. Almost everything was in Dutch. If you go to supermarkets you never know what you are buying unless someone reads and interprets for you. 

To take a train or tram you first need to ask people around which one to board or you find yourself in a location where you were not intending to go. The weather was also challenge. Most time of the training was spent indoors and that was great. After sessions every night and during the weekends we usually visited places, walking in the streets and that’s when you could experience the extreme weathers of the Netherlands.

Using chip cards to buy and access certain services was another strange thing. For example, checking in and checking out each time you use public transport gave me a very hard time.”

Now that you’re back, what do you think was the most memorable aspect of the training?

“Sharing stories, different culture and experiences with fellow YEPpers. It gave us an opportunity to appreciate how it is working in different political and cultural setups. And most of all learning from personal experiences in various countries and fields. Although most of the experiences shared were those in development countries where challenges are more similar, but every experience was unique.”

You also had some free time to explore the Netherlands, how was that?

“Visiting Amsterdam was a dream come true. Before the visit I had heard a lot about the city. How beautiful it was and that it attracts a lot of people all over the world. Finding myself there and especially at The Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam was exciting. Being a football lover and a fan for the Dutch team, that experience is something to remember for a very long time.”

Was there anything that surprised you?

“Seeing the majority of Dutch YEPpers speaking African or Asian languages, singing African or Asian songs and some dressing in African or Asian attire was something I didn’t expect. Most of the Dutch YEPpers had experience working in Africa, Asia and other developing countries, something which was good.”

YEP batch 18, Photography by Manon Visser, courtesy of YEP Programmes

For more information about the YEP Programme, please have a look on their website: https://www.yepprogrammes.com/.

SimoneOur local Young Expert James on his adventures abroad
read more

Our past year at a glance

SMART Centre staff and entrepreneurs at the End of the Year Meeting
SMART Centre staff and entrepreneurs at the End of the Year Meeting (20-12-2019)

With 2019 coming to an end, we decided on doing some self-reflection. Our entrepreneurs joined us at the Centre on the last Friday of 2019, and told us about their past year. We spoke about what they struggled with, and shared successful stories with one another. We would like to share our highlights here with our readers, as well as take this opportunity to thank all of you for your continuous support and interest in the SMART Centre.

Changes in the team

In 2019 there were quite a few changes in our team. As you most likely know, Johan joined the team in March and later in July took over the management position, as Reinier left Malawi and the Centre. His wife Rianne spent a considerable amount of time and effort into SMART Centre projects as well, so this left two spots open. Simone has joined in March as well, taking over some of the tasks Rianne previously did.

We welcomed Cecilia in November, who joined the team to help us with monitoring our projects. She’s proven to be a much needed helping hand, with Daniel leaving us for a new opportunity.

James has joined the YEP Programme, and finished his trainings in the Netherlands. His role is expanding, with more responsibilities fitting his newly acquired skills.

Succesful projects

We’ve had multiple projects running this past year, but would like to highlight two. The first being our Faith and Water project, where we go out into rural Malawi and visit communities, explaining the importance of clean water and sanitation. This project has been one of our longest running ones, and has been proven to be successful yet again in 2019.

The second project we’d like to mention, is the partly subsidizing of wells and sanitation with help of a donor. It is still ongoing, and we’re very enthusiastic about the results so far. This project has been a win-win for everyone. Our entrepreneurs are earning an income with the extra work coming from this project, and local people gain access to safe water and sanitation for an affordable price.

Trainings

Of course, our core business is training local people in the production of our Technologies. In 2019, we’ve completed the following trainings:

  • Solar pump training with a focus on electricity safety
  • Apron production training
  • Pedestal and slab production training
  • SHIPO/Jetting training
  • Rope pump production and installation training in association with …
  • Faith and Water

More to come

This coming year we’re continuing our partly subsidized project, and are planning on extending the project due to the positive results. Furthermore, we are planning on some new trainings, training both our experienced entrepreneurs and new ones. We are kicking-off the year with a new way of monitoring our projects, to give anyone interested a better understanding and a more accurate overview of what we are doing. But more on that soon!

Thank you

We’d like to express our gratitude towards everyone who has been involved with the SMART Centre in 2019 in one way or another. We could not have done it without our staff, our entrepreneurs, our donors, our customers and enthusiasts. We hope to have your continuous support in 2020 and look forward to another successful year spreading the usage of low-cost WASH Technologies. 

SimoneOur past year at a glance
read more

The SMART Centre Newsletter November 2019

Our November newsletter is here! There is a lot of exciting things happening at the centre, so make sure to give it a read.

You can view the newsletter here.

If you would like to receive our newsletters automatically, you can subscribe to our mailing list by filling in the form on this page.

SimoneThe SMART Centre Newsletter November 2019
read more

Peter Kayira

It is with great sadness we are announcing the passing of our dear friend and hard working entrepreneur Peter Kayira. He passed on 11 October 2019.

We wish his relatives strength in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.

SimonePeter Kayira
read more

Faith and Water: training rural communities

Spreading awareness by training rural Malawi the importance of WASH.

One of our longest running projects is our Faith and Water training. It fits perfectly within our organization, as it is focused on rural Malawi and consist of giving training to local people. First piloted in 2017, our staff members are getting better at making these trainings a success. That’s why, when funding became available to the Centre for training purposes, the choice to continue with Faith and Water sessions was quickly made. This time we went to four regions, visiting two communities in each.  

Focussing on WASH

The Faith and Water trainings are focused on clean and safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; WASH in short. The benefits are explained to local church in their local language. With help of games, visual aspects and case studies, it is for example explained how bacteria spreads, or how a water filter can prevent diseases. For instance: to give them a better perspective on contaminated water, we show two bottles filled with water. To one, salt is added. Both look identical, but after a taste test the difference between the two are made clear. This goes to show contaminated water can look as clear as any water, but may still be filled with bacteria.

Linking WASH to Bible verses

We emphasize the training is not a lecture, but a dialogue. As this training is provided to church leaders and their congregations, we link safe and clean water and sanitation to verses from the Bible. In many verses, God teaches the benefits that come with taking proper care of yourself. This way, we try to get the people following the training involved and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge to their communities after the training is finished. After some time, we do a follow-up visit to see how things are going and whether the techniques they learned during our training are still being used, and whether knowledge has been shared with community members.

A team effort

Our staff members were excited to help, and put a lot of effort into the trainings. Medass Mhone is our office assistant, and visited the communities to help spread awareness:

Due to my educational background I’m interested in communities. I studied about community health. If community members are not happy and healthy, communities cannot develop. The same goes for a healthy community.
 
Especially in Malawi, our economics come mostly from farming. If someone is sick, this person is unable to work in the field and therefore cannot provide for the community or their family. I want to help create awareness about good sanitation in order to help preventing diseases. A nice addition about this training is that I’m able to learn about different cultures and the way of lives in rural communities

SimoneFaith and Water: training rural communities
read more

Providing water for all, to a growing population in developing countries; EMAS and SMART Centres are joining forces

The only way to provide water for all, to a growing population in developing countries, is to capacitate the same people to solve that problem. EMAS and SMART Centres have been training and guiding small-scale entrepreneurs in developing countries for many years. Trained entrepreneurs now supply affordable water technologies to communities and households in over 20 countries serving more than 2 million people.

Mutual goals

EMAS and SMARTechnologies are complimentary and the organisations share the same philosophy towards sustainable development. Our mutual goal is to establish supply chains of Market-based, Affordable and Replicable technologies that are also fit for households (Self-supply). By joining forces SMART Centres and EMAS will increase the number of small water enterprises, make them more robust and offer a larger variety of technologies and services to their customers.

We believe that investing in capacity building creates the conditions for sustainable and rural water supply.

Interested?

Feel free to contact SMART Centre Group or EMAS International, or visit their websites for more information: www.smartcentregroup.com, www.emas-international.de.

SimoneProviding water for all, to a growing population in developing countries; EMAS and SMART Centres are joining forces
read more

Stockholm World Water Week: A Call for a Marshall plan with Africa

World Water Week 2019, Tele2 Arena – Photo by Mikael Ullén

At the 2019 Stockholm SIWI World Water Week, where the SMART Centre Group had its own booth and several presentations, a proposal was launched called ‘Marshall Plan for Water in Africa’. The proposal is focussed on clean water and safe sanitation in Africa by 2030. This initiative includes the need for vocational training, as done by the SMART Centres.

Clean water and Safe sanitation in 2030

On August 28th, the proposal for a ‘Marshall Plan for Water in Africa’ was presented. African water ministers and several non-governmental organisations presented the plan, focussed on guaranteeing all Africans clean water and safe sanitation by 2030. Proposers strongly believe water is key to a prosperous future for Africa. The plan includes a proposal for funding, which can be used to finance more opportunities in WASH. It is believed the plan holds a potential for many new jobs. Read the full press release here.

World Water Week

World Water Week is the biggest annual focal point for global water issues. This year it was held in Stockholm, in the last week of August. The SMART Centre Group was represented with its own booth, and provided presentations at several sessions.

A broader plan

The proposal builds on a much broader proposal, presented last year by German minister Gerd Müller: ‘Migration, Sustainability and a Marshall Plan with Africa’. This plan was created to boost Africa’s economy, create jobs, peace and gender equality, and reduce poverty, migration risks, healthcare costs and risks from climate change.

SimoneStockholm World Water Week: A Call for a Marshall plan with Africa
read more