The Alok Institute maintains a learning exchange with the Brazilian humanitarian organization “Fraternidade sem Fronteiras,” providing voluntary and free support for monitoring the processes and results of Fraternidade’s actions in Mozambique, Malawi, and Madagascar (Africa).
Their actions:
From 2021 to 2023, the initiatives have had a significant social impact on more than 26,000 people, focusing on:
– Food logistics
– Workshops for income generation
– Solar panels for clean energy production
– Construction and maintenance of schools
– Sustainable/agroforestry planting
– Expansion and maintenance of infrastructures
– Access to water
Beneficiaries:
• 14,000 people directly and 20,000 indirectly benefited in Mozambique (Acolher Moçambique project)
• 2,000 people and another 50,000 indirectly benefited in Malawi (Nação Ubuntu project)
• 10,000 people directly and 33,000 indirectly benefited in Madagascar (Action Madagascar)
Entrepreneurship Initiatives:
Mozambique
More than 100 young bakers are professionalizing and selling bread in the communities in the region.
Sewing workshop – Over 100 young individuals have participated in this workshop, creating 10 different types of items, including T-shirts, pencil cases, toiletry bags, towels, and eco-bags. They produce approximately 100 units per month, which are sold at fairs, in stores in Maputo, to project visitors, and are also sent for sale in Brazil, increasing the financial return that helps sustain the workshop itself.
Solar Power – The installation of solar panels in schools and reception centers promotes clean energy, providing access to clean water and benefiting 214 children, 13 elderly individuals,and 11 staff members, in addition to the indirect impact on neighboring communities.
Malawi
Agriculture – In the Field Mothers Initiative, from the Ubuntu Nation project, 200 women who live in extreme vulnerability participate. In approximately 25 hectares of land, they plant food for the families, assisted by the project and also for income generation.
Biochar Workshop – Over 50 training sessions were conducted for refugees to generate income and reduce carbon emissions and deforestation. A storage structure for biochar and a drying space were built. Through the workshop’s production, wood is replaced with charcoal. All meals offered by the project are now exclusively prepared with sustainable biochar: serving 1,200 people twice a day (counting a total of 48,000 meals per month).
Carpentry Workshop – The workshop produces new furniture for the Ubuntu School classrooms, with over 500 pieces already manufactured. Additionally, tasks that were previously done by people outside of the project, such as repair services and roofs, are now done by the participants, contributing to the project’s sustainability.
Sewing Workshop – Over 20 training sessions, mostly for women, have contributed to income generation and project maintenance. The installation includes cabinets, display structures, cutting and sewing tables, machinery, and an independent solar energy system. The products are sold to project visitors, making the workshop self-sustainable.
Solar Panels and Water Well Drilling – The drilling benefits over 2,000 people (around 500 children) by supplying water to the entire school complex, including cafeterias,18 classrooms, staff room, office, and outdoor areas.
Buildings – Structures including a cafeteria, playground, spirituality center, “palhoça” (a pedagogical and gathering space that provides protection during dry and heavy rain periods), and an agricultural production area (with a kitchen, cafeteria, storage space, and daycare) were constructed. The acquisition of furniture for cafeterias (100 tables and chairs) facilitated the expansion of meal offerings to 600 per day.
Madagascar
Ecological Brick Workshop: Over 3,000 bricks are produced monthly, being used in the construction of new project infrastructures, while also generating income for the workers. With these bricks, three water basins were built for the Family Farming project, and ten dry toilets were renovated.
Biochar Workshop: The production of 400 bags of biochar per month benefits the Campo da Paz project, the health clinic and the central kitchen.
Carpentry/Blacksmithing and Forge Workshop: The workshop produces school desks, Montessori-style furniture for the Horova school, playgrounds, the health clinic, and tables for the sewing workshop machines. The forge workshop aims to provide professional training for income generation.
Soap Workshop: The production of herbal soap and washing soap is sold to the Health Clinic, generating income for 20 families.
Bakery Workshop: The workshop generates income for about 100 families who sell the 12,000 loaves of bread monthly.
Sewing and Handicraft Workshop: 20 families now sell their products at local fairs.
The installation of solar panels and reflectors impacts the lives of over 3,000 people in the workshops, schools, health clinic, and common areas of all project units.
About FSF
Fraternity without Borders (FSF) is a humanitarian organization based in Campo Grande (MS) with Brazilian and international operations. All works are maintained through donations and mainly through sponsorship. With R$ 50 per month it is possible to contribute to a project and make a difference in the lives of many people.