Overview

We are convinced that decentralised and sustainable development needs empowerment of individuals and the local communities through enhancement of entrepreneurship and wealth. Efforts are done to retain highly trained staff (health, education, local government) in the area, as such developments can only take place with these leaders and authorities present within the local community. Our microfinance operation supports individual entrepreneurs and farmers with the aim to gradually improve their wealth situation.

Microfinance (Umino Community Loan Services Ltd)

UMINO (www.umino-finance.com) is granting loans to farmers or small businesses in Rufunsa and Luangwa District to kick-start something new or to expand an existing operation. Receivers of the loans are individuals. Loans are extended for investments with the aim that these investments generate directly income for the loan taker. Loans are always covered by securities (collaterals) on physical assets and also by personal guarantors.

UMINO adheres to the principles of fairness, transparency and consistent enforcement, while being committed to treating the loan receivers as valued customers.

Our financial goals are:

  • To be slightly profitable by latest the end of year three of operation
  • UMINO has a maximum loss rate of 1.5 percent
  • We want to maintain a largely stable interest rate over time
  • We want to be independent from external capital as long as possible, thus financing ourselves

Our social goals are:

  • People trust UMINO and are motivated to expand their micro businesses with the help of our loans
  • UMINO is well known and of good standing in all areas of operation in Zambia
  • We want to see measurable progress in the income levels by each household who got supported by our micro loans

Support for Accommodation and Property Acquisition (PAMP Consultancy Ltd)

  • A company was formed (PAMP consultancy limited) for the construction and maintenance as well as marketing of appropriate houses in rural settings.  These houses are offered for rent or for sale mainly to workers of the public sector. So far 22 houses have been constructed in Mpanshya area and 8 houses in Chamilala. After an initial non-refundable investment, the further running and construction of additional houses will be funded through the returns (rent, sale).
  • PAMP in addition started to acquire and construct property to be rented by specific businesses with an expected impact on wealth and wellbeing of the local population (Bike Shop Every Orphans Hope at Mpanshya, UMINO Community Health Shop at Mpanshya, UMINO Community Loan Services [Microfinance] at Chitope).

Extension of offices of UMINO Community Loan Services at Chitope, Luangwa District

Youth Advisory Service

Teaching of primary school pupils in sustainable land use and protection of environment through Community Training Farm (CTF) to prevent the excessive and very destructive wildfires mainly set by school children during their August school holidays.

Facilitation of Programs at District Level

The supported primary school Nkholoma has been upgraded by the Ministry of General Education to a Secondary School thanks to their perfect renovation works. Counselling and administrative support will further be rendered for the development of that school.

An additional project has been launched to upgrade Chewe Primary School in Lunte District (Northern Province) to a secondary school in close co-operation with the local communities.

In Mai 2018 construction works started for a 1×3 classroom block and 3 staff houses in close cooperation with the local communities and the Ministry of General Education of Lunte District and Northern Province. These buildings have now almost been completed and official opening and handing over of them is foreseen for early 2019. First intake of grade 10 students will be in January 2019. This secondary school will cater for students from 45 primary schools in the area.

1×3 classroom block in Chewe

One of the three new staff houses for teachers

The Chewe Secondary School has officially been commissioned on 26thof March 2019 by local authorities, the Ministry of Education and the communities involved. In May 2019 after the rainy season, construction works will recommence with an additional 1×3 classroom block and an administrative building. The local population has started crashing stones and collecting sand for construction works.

Completed 1×3 Classroom Block of the Secondary School in Chewe

Official commissioning of Chewe Secondary School