A year long evaluation relative to the realignment of some of the job responsibilities between members of the Malawi Project and the Blessings Complex has now been concluded.
“It has always been our desire to supply the Malawians with the appropriate supplies, expertise, advise and encouragement to do the job, then step back and let them run with it,” Stephens said to the Board. “I remember in the beginning when Napoleon Dzombe pleaded his case with the statement, ‘Do not do for us what we can do for ourselves, or you will make us a nation of beggars.’ We have remembered and tried to respect his request. It has been our view during the past year that the Malawians are ready and desirous to accept more of the responsibility for operations on their side,” Stephens commented. “Our year long evaluation has indicated two things; (1) It is becoming more difficult for the management team to schedule and work with the incoming teams, while at the same time completing the other responsibilities that are required while we are in Malawi. This past year we must admit that both areas suffered because of our inability to keep up on all fronts. (2) This yearlong evaluation also indicates an increasing desire on the part of Napoleon to have a larger degree of autonomy in the work at the complex. We understand his desire and in keeping with the past policies of the Project we are both willing and desirous to turn more of the responsibilities over to Malawians.” Stephens concluded his report and the board discussed a number of options in this matter.
The Board concurred with the conclusions by both Stephens and Gordon and a unanimous decision was recognized to transfer the responsibilities for scheduling, supervision and other responsibilities related to handling the teams over to members of the Blessings staff on August 15, 2007. The date was set in order to give teams who are already in the discussion stages the opportunity to shift their requests and questions over to Napoleon Dzombe.