BarEl For Learning for Civic Action

Lack of opportunity by people to learn about and take civic action to improve their communities and the world is a major stumbling block. Billions of people around the world do not have a voice or choose not to participate in community, state, national, or global governance.They lack formal opportunities to learn and practice civic skills. As such, they can not hold  public officials  for poor governance , lack of transparency and accountability. https://www.brookings.edu/poli...

https://www.nyasatimes.com/mal...

https://www.bpb.de/die-bpb/par...

Corruption is rampant in Malawi and beyond. It is a global problem. According to World Economic Forum, corruption costs developing countries $1.26 trillion every year.  https://www.weforum.org/agenda...

According to Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index,  Malawi decreased to 34 Index Points in 2022. The maximum level was 41 Index Points and minimum was 27 Index Points. https://tradingeconomics.com/m...

Malawi is the 110 least corrupt nation, out of 180 countries, according to the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. https://www.transparency.org/e...

The scale of corruption and financial mismanagement in Malawi and globally is enormous as evidenced by annual audit reports and reported corruption scandals.

In 2012, there was a corruption scandal called Cashgate at Capital Hill, the seat of Malawi Government - millions and millions of US dollars were stolen. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...

In 2021, public funds for Covid-19  were abused and stolen. https://www.devex.com/news/mal...

Every year, Auditor General report in Malawi, discloses glaring abuse and theft of public funds. https://www.nao.gov.mw/index.p...

According to Malawi Local Government Accountability and Performance Report, which was done under the support of USAID and UKaid, Malawi Local government financial reports or final accounts are often behind schedule.  https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs...

World Bank, IMF and other organisations have reported in their websites about delays in preparing financial reports by ministries, departments and agencies of  Malawi Government . https://documents.worldbank.or...

Public financial management is not all that good in Malawi because oftentimes financial reports are doctored in order to hide any corrupt or fraudulent activities. Public financial statements lack credibility. Unfortunately, many right-holders and Civil Society Organisations do not have requisite skills to analyse government financial reports  so as to assess their credibility; and to hold duty-bearers accountable.  They fail to hold  duty-bearers accountable because they lack information. They can not by themselves calculate or interpret key indicators of different sectors or do project analysis or ratio analysis to make sense of government data. They have not learnt for civic action.

https://share.america.gov/4-ways-you-can-hold-officials-accountable/

https://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/how-make-sense-government-accountability

https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/anti-corruption/module-10/key-issues/the-role-of-citizens-in-fighting-corruption.html

https://gsdrc.org/topic-guides/communication-and-governance/access-to-information-and-its-constraints/

https://www.ciesin.columbia.ed...

https://www.congoma.mw/more-civic-education-campaigns-needed-at-grassroot-on-procurement-matters/

https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/336505/er-accountability-malawi-effectiveness-review-211114-en.pdf;jsessionid=D007BBEA219DB17AC7F77C44B96007A6?sequence=2

Corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement beget other social problems in our society like: crime, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, alcoholism, poverty, high population, child labour, gender issues, malnutrition, stress, education problems, health problems,  unemployment, indecent jobs,  marriage breakdowns,  etc.

Millions and millions of people are affected by the problem both locally and globally.

My team and I believe in positive social change  through sustainable solutions. 

Where is our society heading to? Are we doomed for failure? Is catastrophe of imaginable proportions just around the  corner? Should we bury our heads in the sand hoping that  problems will disappear on their own? If we are not going to do anything about these problems; then this will be a recipe for disaster for the future generation;  and the posterity will not forgive us.  All in all, this urgent call to action should be taken seriously. Time is not on our side. We believe we can do it; and we will forever do it. Let us embrace social change. We have a higher purpose.  We see the world as a place where we are all linked together. Let us help  others regardless of distance. Let us  never give up. Let us achieve people's happiness,  betterment of the world and improve things in the community.

Our goal is to help people learn about and take civic action to improve their communities and the world. We want learners to take effective action on community and global issues by deepening civic knowledge and practicing collaborative problem solving.

Our solution helps learners acquire key civic skills and knowledge, including how to assess credibility of information, engage across differences, understand one’s own agency, and engage with issues of power, privilege, and injustice through understanding government accounting system so as to combat corruption, public financial mismanagement and poor delivery of public services or poor governance.

Our solution employs different ways of imparting knowledge to learners like: learner-centered learning, active learning, reflective learning, collaborative learning, experiential learning, problem-based learning, interdisciplinary learning, transdisciplinary learning and transformative learning.

Our solution uses BarEl software, which we developed. It uses database management and Excel.

With the aid of BarEl software, our solution is able to compute health, educational and agricultural indicators. It is able to  do project analysis, economics analysis; and calculate financial ratios.

It automates entire  processes.

Our solution, through BarEl software, enables the general public, activists, business owners, marginalised communities and young people to raise their voices so as to root out corruption in government.

By using pivot table, BarEl software is capable of analysing expenditure or revenue reports by date, project, item, donor, cost-centre, revenue centre, sub-item, budget type, vote, and many more.  The analysed expenditure or revenue reports can be shown in tables or graphs, and may show red flags, fraud or  potential corrupt practices. And they can be used to name and shame those behind  corruption scandals. Thumbiko Shumba, the CEO & Founder of TK Computers & Consultancy, successfully used it when he was working as the Deputy Director of Finance in Malawi Government.

Through the project analytical tool, our solution can show whether a project is behind schedule or not, and whether its expenditure is over or under; thereby, prompting remedial action.

Below is the link to the video of the product demo:

https://youtu.be/KngFY9k3CJA

The target population is everyone in Malawi. This includes:

• women.
• children.
• youths.
• girls
• learners.
• everyone.
• ethnic minorities.
• people with disabilities.
• the marginalised.

The target population is underserved through:

1. Lack of  civic education.

2. Lack of transparency and accountability.

3. No access to information.

4. Misinformation and disinformation.

2.  Poor quality or lack of economic and social overheads like: power, telecommunications, irrigation, transport network, ports and airports, water supply, sanitation and sewerage, waste collection and disposal, drainage, health and education. 

4. Poor delivery of public services like bad or impassable roads, poor quality of education, poor health care.

The target population will benefit from the solution by:

a. being equipped with civic knowledge on government accounting system, government procedures and government ministries and departments.

b. holding public officials accountable through computation of key indicators of  health, agriculture, health and finance or accounting.

c. demanding transparency and accountability from duty bearers.

d. getting accurate and timely information from duty bearers.

e. eradicating or reducing corruption; that means, the money which would otherwise be lost through corruption would be used for intended purposes like  provision of public services, economic and social overheads.

f. enjoying improved public service delivery in agriculture, health, education etc.

Generally, civic education; or eradicating or reducing corruption, financial mismanagement, poor delivery of public service through civic education will result in socio-economic development and prosperity, better transport system, infrastructure development, better health, better education; and reduction in crimes, juvenile delinquency, teenage pregnancies, population growth rate, poor housing, and other social problems.

Problems our people face, are the problems we have faced ourselves, and are still facing. 

We have an empathy for the trap they are caught in. 

We have a meaningful relationship with groups whose identity or experience are systemically stereotyped, feared, dismissed, or marginalized. 

We have the experience, relationships, data, and knowledge that are essential for developing  measurable, sustainable, high-impact strategies and solutions. 

We are a part of our community; and we are meaningfully guided by our community’s input, ideas, needs, perspectives, agendas, and assets.

We ensure our communities participate in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation through surveys, suggestion boxes, focus groups, interviews, prototype and product review.

We motivate people in  our communities to be change-makers in their lives, families and communities.

We enhance collaborative processes with our communities through communication, coordination and  mutual support. We take advantage of local groups and free events that provide networking opportunities.

We are a team as well as friends who have supported each other in many ways. We come from the very community we are trying to help, enabling us to recognize both the challenges and assets our communities face.

We have the ability to recognize and leverage assets and expertise within our communities we seek to support, that are often overlooked or misunderstood when viewed through a dominant culture lens.

We will create social media groups to learn and capture trends, and for communities to see and understand their own journey. We will use  data to enable other stakeholders, including government and philanthropists to better understand how our communities move out of poverty.

We practise Bricolage. We make with what we have and we make something unique and valued.

We nurture human potential.

We are asset-based in our view of those we wish to help. We view them as people filled with knowledge, skills, ideas, and solutions that if respected and supported, can advance sustainability, impact, and self-determination.

We have the following attributes:

Human Dignity:  we  recognise that all people have unique gifts and assets.

Connection :  intimate knowledge of our communities enable us to find  ways  that might not be as apparent to others who do not have their lived experience.

Community : we  recognize that we are part of a larger group walking together on the same path.  

Agency : we ensure that everyone feels  that they can shape their future, relationships, and environment. 

A Sense of Possibility: We believe that  nothing is impossible.

We  lead, not follow experts in creating solutions to our community’s challenges.

We are not only  supported in creating solutions,  but we are also provided with resources to scale up solutions that are working. 

We are not objects of charity, but drivers of change.

We support people and planet alongside profit. We are far from self-serving. 

We are brave  to create positive social change.  We are passionate and persistent. 

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We are applying to Solve because of the following reasons:

• We need financial help for operations. We need funding in the form of grants and investments, including through prizes and Solve Innovation Future.

• We want to join a class of impressive peers that act as a trusted support group, offering inspiration and guidance.

• We want to join a powerful network of impact-minded leaders across industries and sectors, with dedicated spaces to meet year-round and during Solve’s flagship events such as Solve at MIT.  

• We want to access leadership coaching and strategic advice from experts in the Solve and MIT networks. 

• We want to receive monitoring and evaluation support to build an impact measurement practice. 

• We want to gain exposure in the media and at conferences.

• We want to access relevant in-kind resources such as software licenses and legal services from Solve supporters. 

With BarEl software , which we developed, our solution is innovative as follows:

• It is probably the first of its kind to do public expenditure analysis as it does.
• It is a positive improvement.  It is feature rich. It is beneficial to users and consumers. It is a more efficient way. It is a better product or  process. It brings improvement. It stands out from the rest and truly makes customers’ lives easier.
• It is something different and unique. It is original and authentic. It is a new method or technique that was not previously available. It is something out of the box. It is a  new way of doing something that has not been tried before and based on real insight of a problem. It is a different way of approaching something. It is a different and better way to solve problems: It is a genuinely new way of looking at things that will have an actual, positive impact on people. 
• It is multipurpose. It is a successful change.  
•  It is customizable. 
• It is sustainable: It is self-sustaining. It does not solely rely on donor aid and funding.
• It is socially inclusive.
• It  strives for inclusion in the workplace. 
• It is diversifiable: Different products are offered.  
• Our solution demands a high level of professionalism.
• It can easily be replaced.
• It can be beneficial to a larger group of people. It can be highly scalable so that it can be cascaded to the entire market ecosystem. It is scalable owing to a huge potential market worldwide.
• With it, we can can satisfy needs of people globally.
• It is reactive. It responds actively to social needs and provides answers to problems within a community.
•  It is not theoretical. It is feasible.
• It saves time; thereby, improving productivity. 
• It solves a problem in a cheaper or better manner. It brings about cost reduction. Money is saved because less paper and less labour are used; thereby, enhancing profit margin or surplus.
•  It provides effective solutions to existing problems; thereby, eliminating a certain amount of stress and saving mental sanity. 
• It is a very easy application to use and learn.
• It provides clear cut jobs with authorization. 
• It enhances security and  internal control environment through segregation of duties as a result of multi-logins. 
• It helps to compare and analyse data across  an organization within a specific period and between two or more periods.  
•  It increases quality and accuracy of information.
•  It facilitates integration and collaboration across departments. 
• It achieves centralization of data as well as harmonisation and simplification of disparate information.
• It can be used both online and offline.
• It has a long list of indicators for corruption and financial management than any other software. 

• There exists a market for our solution, locally and globally.
• The solution will be highly usable by consumers.
• The solution does not generate new problems that need to be solved before or after the solution is consumed.

The following are the impact goals.

1.   Within a year from the commencement of the project, improve access to information  by 20%.

2.   Within a year from the commencement of the project, reduce disinformation and misinformation by 20%.

3.  Within a year from the commencement of the project, reduce corruption and financial management by 20%.

4.  Within a year from the commencement of the project, reduce corruption by 20%.

5.   Within a year from the commencement of the project, timely produce  government financial statements or reports  by 100% 

6.    Within a year from the commencement of the project, hold all public officials accountable by 100%.

7.   Within a year from the commencement of the project, timely expose fraud or corruption  by 100%  

8.   Within 5 years from the commencement of the project, improve financial management by 100% .

9.  Within 5 years from the commencement of the project, improve by 100% public service delivery.

10.  Within a year from the commencement of the project, improve  economic growth and development  by 5%.

11.  Within a year from the commencement of the project, reduce inequalities by 20%.

12.   Within a year from the commencement of the project, open space up by 100%, for the public to take part in voicing against corruption.

 13.  Within a year from the commencement of the project, improve public service delivery and governance by 20%.

We will measure our progress toward our impact goals by:

1. measuring management effectiveness survey questions to get employee feedback and reviews at regular intervals.

2. monitoring and evaluating the theory of change. 

3. comparing results of baseline survey with those of end-line survey.

4. documenting our progress. All our goals, tasks, milestones and deadlines will be recorded. then with a calendar, we will track our progress by checking off completed tasks and achieved milestones.

5. tracking the units completed.  

6. tracking incremental milestones.  

7. capturing starting and finishing point of a task.

 8. calculating cost ratio  

9. using experience/opinion.

10. taking the following steps: 

a. review the scope of the project. 

b. evaluate the project specifications. 

c. analyze the project budget

d: review client satisfaction.

e:  review internal growth and team satisfaction.

11. conducting regular surveys and  meetings.

12. calculating the following:

a. cost performance

b. schedule performance

c. cost performance index

d. schedule performance index.

e. critical path analysis

13. using Gantt chart.

14. We will also be monitoring and evaluating indicators.

The following are the indicators we will be measuring:

1. percentage of timely government financial reports or statements produced.

2. number of government officials held accountable.

3. percentage of timely exposed fraud or corruption .

4.  percent of budget utilisation.

5. percent of allocated funds utilized.

6. economic growth rate

7. Gini coefficient.

8. number of meetings for naming and shaming corrupt individuals conducted.

9. number of public debates on corruption conducted.

10. number of people trained on how to use BarEl software to analyse government budgets, revenue and expenditure.

11. number of trainings conducted on how to use BarEl software to analyse government budgets, revenue and expenditure.

12. Number of clean audit reports.

13. Number of incidences of disinformation or misinformation.

14. number of times budgets, revenue, expenditure and financial reports are analysed by the general public or CSOs using BarEl software.

15. number of financial statements timely and accurately prepared.

16. number of corruption or fraud cases.

17. education indicators like pass rate and enrollment rate.

18. health indicators like mortality rate, disease prevalence and incidence, and number of people accessing safe drinking water.

19. agricultural indicators like domestic food gap and farm income.

20. other socio-economic indicators.

21. financial ratios.

In order to ensure  follow-up and evaluation of  project’s results, we will use in-house and/or external resources.  We will hire enumerators who will collect data for outcome based evaluation, process based evaluation and goal based evaluation. Methods of collecting data will include questionnaires, surveys, checklists,  Interviews, documentation review, review of applications, finances, memos, minutes, observation, focus groups and  case studies. These methods will require resources in form of money, stationery etc.

Problem

Lack of opportunity by people to learn about and take civic action to improve their communities and the world is a major stumbling block.

Context

Teachers are involved because it is them who impart knowledge and skills on learning for civic action.

Accountants, Anti-corruption agencies, NGOs, auditors, administrators and public officials are engaged in the project activities because it is them who are the agents of change to end corruption and financial mismanagement. 

The beneficiaries are:

• women.
• girls.
• youths.
• everyone.
• ethnic minorities.
• people with disabilities.
• the marginalised.

They are engaged in the project because they will  benefit from it. The expected impacts and benefits of the solution are: 

a. good governance.

b. efficient and effective public sector.

c.accountability and transparency achieved.

d.elimination of corruption, fraud and bribery. 

e. poverty reduction.

f. economic development and growth.

g. checks and balances achieved.

I. right-holders will start holding the duty-bearers accountable.

Goal:   provide learning about and take civic action.

The assumptions and risks are:

• Economy is doing fine: no inflation
• No electricity outages.
• No political interference on corruption policies.
• There is sufficient capacity at government institutions to scale-up programme initiatives.

 Enablers

• Beneficiaries have positive attitudes.
• Politicians affect the operations
• Availability of motor vehicles.
• Right quality and quantity of staff is available.

Inputs: staff, funds, laptops, i-pads, memory sticks, projector, flash disks, printers, stationery, fuel etc.

Expected outcomes: Medium term

• Increased competence, performance, transparency, accountability and Institutional strengthening.
• Improved public finance management.
• Effective governance in the public sector vis a vis better decision making and efficient use of resources and strengthened accountability for  stewardship of those resources.

Strategy

• Providing space for different actors including non-state actors to share information, strategies and chart progress on fighting corruption in the country.

Outputs:

• 5000 participants trained on how to use BarEl software in analyzing government expenditure and revenue reports; and in conducting ratio analysis, project analysis and economics analysis.

Actions and Activities

• Conduct training workshops on how to use BarEl software on analyzing government expenditure, revenue, projects and indicators in health, education, agriculture etc.
• With the help of BarEl software, name and shame corrupt individuals or institutions: The aim is to curtail revenue loss and increase integrity.
• Conduct public debates with the help pf BarEl software to improve financial resource governance through increased knowledge among the public: The objective is that people will then demand better resource governance.
• Conduct training on how to do ratio analysis and economic analysis.

The core technology that powers our solution is software or app. It uses a software called BarEl, which I developed using database management and Microsoft Excel. Though BarEl software is based on Microsoft Access, it can be upgraded to Express Edition, which has a bigger capacity to store information. It can also be upgraded to SQL Microsoft Azure, which can enable it to reach many users worldwide through cloud services.

Our approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work is as follows:

1.  Employ people of different backgrounds. It is our policy to have the following as our employees: women, youths, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, people from different  racial or tribal backgrounds, people from different homes of origin, people of different religious and economic status. In fact, we have two women in our solution team; namely, Tiwonge Kuyokwa and Mwayi Mbewe. They are both Data Analysts.

2. Help employees to understand how individuals are impacted by unconscious bias, and what actions continue to reinforce biases. We encourage every employee to review, question, and analyze their own personal biases and assumptions.

3.  Respect and embrace other people's experiences and realities. Cultural humility is another way leaders and employees can manage bias and foster more inclusive environments.

4. Identify patterns or trends that may exist where certain groups of employees are underpaid within certain areas of the business; and observe equal pay for equal work.

5. Conduct diversity training that helps employees understand how cultural differences can impact how people work and interact at work. It can cover anything from concepts of time and communication styles to self-identity and dealing with conflict.

6. Promote awareness of, and acknowledge a variety of upcoming religious and cultural holidays. 

7. Make it easy for our colleagues at work to participate in employee resource groups.

8. Ensure that people of different gender, cultural background or age are working together. Diversity in teams positively impacts creativity and innovation.

9. Encourage our colleagues at work to share their feedback to get a better understanding of what is going on under the surface.

10.Assess areas of the business in which discrimination can exist. Determine whether policies promote discrimination in the workplace such as racism or sexism; and then take corrective measures to move towards a more equitable workplace. 

11. Believe in equity and justice.

12.Ensure that our leadership team is diverse by promoting women, people with disabilities, youths and ethnic minorities into leadership positions.

Key Partners  and stakeholders

Learners, teachers, government, local leaders, NGOs,  Anti-corruption agencies, the marginalised.

Knowledge partners: 

Axel Angeli of Logos! Informatik GmbH (Germany) and Jasper Bhaumick of UMa Soft GmbH( Switzerland).

Collaborative partners: University of Livingstonia (Malawi) and

Youth and Society (Malawi).

Research Partners: Research Software & Systems Engineers Africa.

Business and inclusive partners:

EMD Consulting Engineers, the water engineers (Malawi) and  BIZ-LOGIC SOLUTIONS LIMITED (Tanzania).

Member of 50 Experts Alliance

 1. https://www.50experts.com/ 

2. https://50experts.com/50experts/shumba

Key Activities

·         Train users of BarEl software .

·         Provide office services and routine activities for management of the project.

·         Set up monitoring mechanisms and conducting evaluation.

·          Achieve policy dialogue, coordination and knowledge management through advocacy .

·         Promote project results.

.         Customer service.

.         Support and participation. activities 

Key Resources

• Human – employees, volunteers
• Financial - cash.
• Physical - computers.
• Intellectual - copyright, knowledge and skills

 Cost Structure

• Classes of business structures:
  • Cost-driven.
  • Fixed costs –  salary, rent, motor vehicle insurance.
  • Variable costs – fuel, allowances.
  • Economies of scale - facilitation allowance 
  • Economies of scope – labour, utilities, stationery etc.

• Characteristics of cost structures:

Cost of delivery

·         Marketing

·         Logistics

Social Innovation

·         multipurpose.

.     Detect fraud or corruption.

. Employ separate or a combination of these models: One-for-one, Service subsidization, Awareness & Cause, Environmental, Entrepreneur support, Organizational support, Low-income client and Fee-for-service.

Format of the intervention

• Provision of BarEl software.
• Training workshop to use BarEl software.

Value Proposition

• Corruption  reduction.
• Public service delivery improves.
• Price of BarEl software is reasonably low.

·     BarEl is a quality brand, new, convenient, cost-effective, efficient and customisable .

. Cost savings.

. Time savings. 

. Revenue increase.

. Customer satisfaction.

. Vertical scaling.

Revenue streams

• Grants.
• Revenues due to training.

·         Donations.

·         Asset sales: Revenue sales from BarEl software.

·         Subscription fee

.        Participation and support funding.

Surplus

        This is how we intend to use the surplus:

·         Community reinvestment: reinvest our surplus into growing our social business.

• Make a donation to a social mission-aligned organization
• Reach out to more customers, stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Customer Relationships

• Personal assistance e.g. social media, newsletters, forums .
• Dedicated personal assistance.
• Self-service: user manuals.
• Personalised service, repeat custom, loyalty, long-term customers.

Consumer benefits

·         Children educated.

·         Better family health.

·         Economic opportunity.

.        Corruption reduced.

.         Better public service delivery .

Distribution channels  

Types of channels

·         Owned channels: website, social media, newsletter and online advertising and store front. 

·         Partner channels:  marketplaces, partner websites, retail, social media, global awareness raising events, campus and school programs, corporate cause marketing partnerships and referral marketing.

Customer segments

·   Mass market: General public

• Niche market: Youth NGOs.
• Diversify: Government, local leaders, NGOs, Anti-corruption agencies, .
• Philanthropists, local offices, regulars, ethical consumers, other social enterprises.

Beneficiaries

• women.
• girls.
• youths.
• everyone.
• ethnic minorities.
• people with disabilities.
• the marginalised.
• teachers

Impact measure will be done through the following Indicators: economic growth, number of corruption or fraud cases and number of corrupt or fraud incidents detected.

Our plans for becoming financially sustainable are  :

.selling our digital product BarEl software as a service sold per unit. Our customers can access our product through subscription. It is a licensed software. We offer freemiums to our potential customers. It is on YouTube as well as on Face Book marketplace.We aspire that it should be on other marketplaces like MIT Solve.

. charging a small fee for installation, maintenance, consultancy and training. We are also looking forward for grants or donations from MIT Solve or philanthropists or investors so that we scale our activities.

. charging different prices to different customers. Price discrimination will depend on size, location and type of customer.  Low income earners will be charged low prices. Government and corporate customers will be charged more than individual customers. Prices will also be charged on SaaS. The more features or functionalities of BarEl software a customer acquires, the higher the price. We will  charge per year  $5 to individual customers with low income and $50 to corporate customers with no or low profits, and $1000 to governments or big corporate customers that are financially able. We will charge maintenance and installation fees.

. ensuring input efficiency by conducting trainings  en-masse and at once; hence,  reducing training cost per unit, resulting in  higher profit margins. 

. scaling through:

a. vertical scaling. We will create partnerships .We will improve our product for small customers before targeting larger customers. We want to build relationships with more global brands to enable larger sales orders. And we will agree on how to share profits .  BarEl software is  multipurpose.

b. horizontal scaling : we will expand our offering to customers in neighbouring countries, then the Sub-Saharan Africa; and then, the whole world.  African market is largely untapped,and BarEl software is currently one of the few players in the space.

In addition, our revenue models that we will or we employ separately or as a combination:

Hiring or Employment, One-for-one model also known as buy-one give-one, Service subsidization, Awareness & Cause, Environmental, Entrepreneur support, Organizational support, Low-income client  and Fee-for-service .

Transaction revenue: One-time sale of BarEl software or our services. 

Recurring revenue: Our customers will pay for access to a product or service in installments; usually, monthly or yearly.

Service revenue: Our customers will pay periodically, and for our expertise. 

Advertisements. We will sell ad space. 

Furthermore, our plans for becoming financially sustainable are through:

. selling consultancy services to government and other customers.

. service contracts to governments.

. raising investment capital.

. diversifying donor base and developing long-term partnerships with donors. We will continue to rely on donations and grants. 

. effectively and efficiently managing financial and physical resources.

. developing new partnerships, boost existing relations with donors, beneficiaries and stakeholders.

The Total Addressable Market annually for Malawi annually is $10 million, and is $20 billion for Africa.

Some examples of how our plan to achieve financial sustainability has been successful so far are:

• Our organisation has a hybrid structure i.e. it has a traditional approach of generating income through sale of BarEl software and through receiving grants or donations; hence, reduction in reliance on the gen­eros­ity of donors.
• We increase rev­enue through sale of BarEl software or training provided to users of BarEl software. We  achieve this by increasing customer base through promotional activities. Scalability is done through use of internet and entering more markets; including national, regional and global markets. We joined  Face Book and YouTube and we will join  other platforms or marketplaces like MIT Solve to connect buyers to us. 
• The solution is scaled to affect lives of more people living in low and middle income countries; hence, more revenue.

• We have so far created partnerships, which are already bearing fruits. Sales revenues realised or that will be realised from such partnerships  will help to subsidise  costs of the project, and will also be used to fund social programs. We will also be advertising our software called BarEl on partner websites. 
• Below are some of our partners:   

a)    BSL, an IT company of Tanzania with strong links to India, Serosoft,  an IT company of India with branches in USA and Europe, EMD Consulting Engineers of Malawi,  University of Livingstonia in Malawi and NBM Development Bank of Malawi.

b)  https://www.50experts.com/ 

c)  https://50experts.com/50experts/shumba

• We  also had some sales revenue through provision of consultancy services using BarEl software to clients of NBM Development Bank on how to prepare business plans so that they access credit: This business activity has the potential of generating $12.5 million annually in Malawi.
• We  also intensify appealing for more grants or donations to achieve double-digit rev­enue growth.
• We have raised $2000.00 through my monthly pension.
• We incre­men­tally improve our gross and oper­at­ing profit margins through cost minimization.
• We  man­age  work­ing capital through proper cash management and work­ing cap­i­tal account, which can cushion against short-term rev­enue downturns.
•  We effi­ciently invest cap­i­tal in growth projects, while taking into consideration investment appraisal techniques like (ROI, IRR, NPV) and also break-even analy­sis.
•  We steadily build our asset base, which is key to mov­ing for­ward with impact-driven activ­i­ties even when cur­rent dona­tions are down.
• We use low-cost debt in man­age­able amounts as a financ­ing tool.
• We engage with a com­mu­nity of investors who are inter­ested in invest­ing in the mis­sion of social busi­nesses and enter­prises rather than donat­ing.  They can invest with equity or debt, with low­ered expec­ta­tions for returns.  This is a valu­able source of funds for our organisation.
• We appeal to all our stake­hold­ers why our organisation deserves their con­tin­ued finan­cial sup­port.