Mai Mbambande Foundation, one of the reputable elderly homes in Lilongwe, has become the talk of town for mainstreaming self-sustaining initiatives such as horticulture to keep the elderly home running.
Mai Mbambande Foundation is a beacon of hope to over 70 elderly people to whom they provide shelter, food, clothing and other recreational activities with.
Meanwhile, Mai Mbambande Foundation is brimming with confidence for its enviable stance on horticulture which is done at a small scale.
The foundation grows different types of crops such as tomatoes, maize, vegetables, cassava and Irish potatoes. At exciting intervals, the foundation engages the elderly in the farm produce, a development which draws the attention of the people.
Currently, they are grading Irish potatoes and receiving orders.
“The Irish potatoes are priced at K8,000 per 5 little bucket. People can call us on 0884240499 or 0995443614 to place their order,” said Deborah Mbale, the founder of Mai Mbambande Foundation which is located in Dzama village in Lilongwe.
She said the foundation is engaged in different small-scale farming activities such as horticulture to sustain them.
“It’s not easy to provide for the elderly men and women at the center because it requires a lot of resources. That’s why we practice agriculture activities at a small scale in order to sustain ourselves,” said Mbale.
She urged other foundations that provide care for the vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children in the country to embrace income-generating activities like horticulture.
“Apart from selling some of the produce such as vegetables, they are used to feed the beneficiaries at our center. The beauty of horticulture and other small income generating activities is that they do not only serve as cash crops but also for consumption purposes. We don’t have to buy anything like vegetables from the market,” said Mbale, adding the foundation relies on well-wishers to operate.
According to Mbale, proceeds from Mai Mbambande Foundation’s income-generating activities go towards the purchase of necessities at the centre.
Village headmaster Dzama appealed to more well-wishers to support the Mai Mbambande Foundation, saying it was giving hope to community members.
“At first, the elderly people were being accused of witchcraft and neglected in our community. But with the coming of Mai Mbambande Foundation, the narrative has changed. People now realize that old age doesn’t equate witchcraft.
“We need more initiatives that support different needy groups who are accused of all sorts of wrongdoing due to their vulnerabilities,” said Dzama.
