The Nchima Trust Centre in Thyolo has been constructed on land leased to the Trust, free of charge, by the Nchima Tea and Tung Estates. Its aim is to provide a location where local activities can be easily supported and facilitated for the local population.

The Centre is currently used by a group of craft workers who make paper from recycled paper. This paper is then made into attractive cards which will soon be on sale on this website. In addition to this, the group makes mobiles, products made from beads and various other enchanting curios and pictures. The principle behind this project is to encourage and support the group to build and manage their own business. the Trust will support this by offering advice and support and promoting the products on this website and beyond.

In addition to the craft workers, the Trust has employed a Manager called Mr Somanje. Mr Somanje has overall responsibility for the Centre which includes 3 hectares of land. The objective is to produce crops which can be sold to local clients such as the Hospital and schools and to demonstrate how a sustainable agricultural business can be run. We also hope in the longer term to grow more unusual crops such as mushrooms and possibly produce honey. If we are successful we should be able to share knowledge and experience with others in the area.

The Trust also holds literacy classes at the Centre which prove to be popular.

Aside from several other buildings, we have also installed an Ecodome which is a safe and sanitary WC. More information is available HERE.