Malawian orphan succeeds against all odds

Nicola Taylor • July 24, 2019

Another JTS / KASFA Partnership Success Story

This is Mac Milan Mwafulilwa. He is a double orphan who has been brought up by a disabled sister. Due to this, he had no prospects in life, both have had to struggle through most of their lives supporting each other and raising their younger brother. He was destined to a life of poverty on the streets. This would have been tragic as Mac Millan had so much potential, he was a bright boy who wanted to create a brighter future for himself, his sister and his younger brother. He worked hard and was determined to be the best that he could be and it was this determination that changed his life.


JTS buy the award winning Kilombero rice from KASFA (Kaporo Smallholder Farmer Association) in Northern Malawi. We have worked closely with them for the past 10 years and have set up a bursars fund for children just like Mac Millan who have no family to support him or pay for his education. KASFA saw the potential in Mac Millan and have supported him all the way through secondary school and college. They sent him to a technical college to study Electrical Installation, he has now just completed his level one course and come out with a grade 1 trade test.


Mac Millan now wants to be an electrician in the local villages as his way of giving back to the community of farmers who helped him and his sister throughout these past few years.


If you want to be a part of helping children in a similar situation to MacMillan, you can do so by:


  • Giving to the JTS fund
  • Buying Kilombero rice from JTS ( shop online )
  • Undertaking the 90kg Rice Challenge which gives rice farmers enough of a sustainable income to enable them to send their child to secondary school for a year.

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We’re absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news: Ethical Consumer has extended its prestigious Best Buy status to the entire True Origin product range and Traidcraft Tea! This recognition previously applied only to our True Origin Kilombero rice, but now it covers all True Origin products — and our beloved Traidcraft Tea as well. This is a huge moment for us — and for everyone who chooses to shop with purpose. The Best Buy label is Ethical Consumer’s highest ethical rating, reserved for brands and products that go above and beyond in areas like environmental impact, workers’ rights, sustainability, and transparency. To receive this mark across our True Origin product range is a powerful endorsement of our ongoing commitment to fairness, justice, and sustainability in global trade – and of the way we do business here in the UK too. Ruairidh Fraser, researcher at Ethical Consumer, said “True Origin are clear ethical leaders in their field, so we're delighted to expand our Best Buy certification to cover all of their branded products. It’s rare to find a company of True Origin’s size which demonstrates such a comprehensive understanding of its social and environmental impact.” He continued “True Origin scored 100/100 for its approach to its supply chain, going above and beyond to ensure that workers’ rights are respected and their communities supported. From agriculture to food waste, they are rejecting greenwash and are instead focused on doing the right thing where it matters." From the fragrant Kilombero rice grown in the heart of Malawi to the rich, responsibly sourced Traidcraft Tea, from the fantastic relishes and spices from South Africa to the exotic Kenyan jams — every product in our portfolio stands for dignity, opportunity, and ethical excellence.  We couldn’t have done it without our producer partners, staff and customers. Every time you choose True Origin or Traidcraft, you’re choosing a better world — and now you’ve got Ethical Consumer’s seal of approval to back that choice. 🛒 Explore the full Best Buy-approved range here . 📣 Spread the word and tag us when you share the news! Together, we’re changing trade for good. See Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label