Major Challenges faced in 2008

2008 has been a challenging year for everyone involved with NESMAC. The doubling in size of the organisation through up major issues surrounding representation and structure of the organisation. In addition this placed great pressure on the office staff. The old committee members had been their positions in many cases for 5 years and the process was not smooth going. NESMAC trustees have become increasingly important in NESMAC during the year and have assumed a greater role in the organisation their support has been important in implementing and discussing organisational changes.
The NESMAC office in Neno has also been forced to re examine how it provides support for so many farmers. To cope with the increased planning and managerial load NESMAC have decided to hire a new NESMAC manager. This post will be new changing roles throughout the NESMAC support team in Neno.
Work has progressed slowly on the construction program. Although now the plot has been marked out and the lease agreed with the Neno district assembly NESMAC are still awaiting key documents. These did not arrive in time for construction to commence prior to the rains however will do so in 2009.
The project funding has been effected by the Malawi Kwacha exchange rate with the Pound in the last quarter of 2008. All the project budgets were written at an exchange of MK280:£1 the project was benefiting from the favourable exchange of MK300:£1 for a large amount of 2008. However the relative cost of basic commodities such as fuel cement has pushed up the cost of running the organisation. At present the exchange rate with the pound is 200 which will have a large impact upon funding levels in 2009.