Economic empowerment for persons with epilepsy

We are pleased to share recent developments on our ongoing initiative to financially empower individuals living with epilepsy — supporting both their medical needs and sustainable livelihood.

Since posting the project on GlobalGiving, we have successfully established a peer support group in Bangwe Township, Blantyre. The group is formally structured with a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and active members who have been convening for monthly meetings. This platform fosters mutual support and collective advocacy for community issues affecting individuals with epilepsy.

In addition to our focus on strengthening the group's economic resilience, we were pleased to provide a first aid pod to the peer support group — a generous donation from Epilepsy Scotland to our organization. This pod is designed to preserve the dignity and privacy of individuals experiencing a seizure by shielding them from public view. Furthermore, it offers protection from UV rays, creating a safer and more respectful environment during seizure events.

In the coming weeks, we plan to host business-focused sessions for group members, encouraging them to explore income-generating opportunities. These sessions will include practical training on business planning and financial management, designed to strengthen their economic resilience.

We have thus far facilitated meetings using alternate sources of funding, which unfortunately restricts the scope of our activities. At present, our support is limited to covering transportation costs to meet with the group. Nonetheless, we remain committed and hopeful that, with future support, we can broaden our engagement and implement additional activities that advance the goals of this project.