By Gift Sitima:
A non-profit organisation called Faizan Global Relief Foundation (FGRF) has launched a K100 million economic empowerment programme to support business tart-ups.
Speaking at the launch at BCA in Blantyre, where 100 people from different areas received K1 million each, Head of FGRF Africa and Dawateislami Malawi, Muft Usman Madani, underlined the importance of empowering people to be financially independent.
“We have been reaching out to people throughout the month of Ramadan, but now we want these people to be independent and sustain themselves.
“We believe that people who are healthy and economically stable are key for development. That is why we also focus on healthcare, education and community development programmes apart from food relief and disaster response,” he said.
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Madani called for a collaborative effort to reach out to more vulnerable people across the country.
“There are a lot of people who are suffering, hence the need for all stakeholders to join hands in helping these people,” he said.
Prominent business people Hanif OG Issah and Abdul Munaf Siku, who attended the event as special guests, encouraged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds and help others in the future.
Munaf Siku challenged the beneficiaries to be honest and hardworking for them to succeed in business.
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“This donation is far better than giving handouts, as people will decide what they want to do. I believe if they manage it well, it will not only help their families but also develop their communities,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Hanifu Quassimu from Machinga district, commended the gesture, saying the money will help him to start a business.
Director of Communications at FGRF, Ibrahim Omar, said since the beginning of Ramadan this year, the Foundation has distributed food and non-food relief items worth over K1 billion.
“We have reached out to about 30,000 families in Blantyre, Nsanje, Thyolo, Zomba, Salima, Mangochi, Chiradzulu and Mulanje districts, and we will now focus on continuing with many sustainable humanitarian projects,” he said.
