Terms and conditions for loans and donations
1. Any money you lend or donate through this site by cheque will be transferred to the Mbewa Self-Help Project in Malawi in its entirety for allocation to your selected project at the prevailing exchange rate for the Malawi Kwacha. If you wish to pay by credit or debit card, this can be arranged using PayPal, but the amount of your loan or donation will be the amount received after PayPal charges have been deducted and this is the amount that will be repaid.
2. The Mbewa Self-Help Project in Malawi is coordinated by a Project Committee elected by residents of Mbewa village (total population approximately 3,000 people). The Malawi project is responsible for covering any transfer fees for the money you lend from the profits of its activities and fees and exchange losses in repaying the loan. The UK project may cover these fees and exchange losses at its own discretion. You may make an optional donation to cover these costs.
3. The Mbewa Self-Help Project in Malawi is registered as a Community Based Organisation (CBO) with the District Social Welfare Office in Mulanje under the name 'Madalitso CBO' ('Madalitso' means 'Blessings'). The Mbewa Self-Help Project in the UK does not yet have sufficient annual income to qualify to register as a charity (the minimum requirement is £ 5,000). It will do so at the appropriate time.
4. All Mbewa Self-Help Projects aim to become self sustaining as soon as possible. One injection of capital through loans provided by this site may be sufficient to achieve this, but this will not always be the case. In addition, some projects will proceed in phases, with capital required at each phase. If you make a donation, it will be invested in the same way as a loan, being expected to show a return, which will be added to the operating capital of the particular project. All running costs for projects are expected to be met from the income generated by the project.
5. The Project will aim to repay your loan in its entirety, by the specified date. No interest is offered on loans, in part because of possible legal complications.
6. The economic viability of all projects is carefully considered. However, there may be factors beyond the control of the coordinators which prevent a project proceeding as planned. While every effort is made to foresee and minimise risks, the project does aim to be innovative. Repayment of loans is dependent on the specific activity you select being successful and generating income. Should a project suffer a loss, you may not receive some or all of your money in return, so please do not lend more than you would be prepared to view as a donation if things do not work out as planned. If there is to be any delay or difficulty in repaying the loan, you will be informed of this as soon as the information becomes available to the UK coordinator.
7. You will receive reports during the course of a project and may request full accounts for the particular project that you are supporting.
8. In the event of queries, please contact Mike Brady either via his email or facebook.
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