#FacesOfToM – Max & Simon

8 May 2021

Three months have passed so fast. Today we want to restart our interview series to look behind the scenes of Taste of Malawi. You get the chance to meet two members who have joined more than a year ago. Max and Simon are working together on the Logistics Team, and they are excited to share their motivation, some stories and so much more below.

Welcome Max and Simon!

As a duo, they take care of everything that has to do with the logistics of our project. In addition to supporting concepts (e.g. the INO Business Plan), the Logistics Team is also dedicated to answering the central question: What are the options for shipping product X from Malawi to Germany? In the period before spring 2020, flight partners have emerged. But how can we continue this work during a global pandemic? Since the beginning of their time with ToM, they have worked  on these topics together.

What made you want to be a part of Taste of Malawi?

During Max’s  search for an internship, in early 2020, he came across Taste of Malawi’s  Facebook page. He had not heard of ToM before. He read the website, and the project’s mission, with the combination of female empowerment and training these women to become tailors convinced him right away. It is particularly important to him that there is direct contact with the tailors in Malawi. “It’s really cool that we can make a difference directly and inspire change through our project.” 

Simon’s connection to Malawi goes back several years. During his voluntary social year in Malawi, he met Jana, the co-founder of ToM, at a Christmas party at the German Embassy in Lilongwe. He still keeps in touch with some friends in Malawi. Simon has seen Taste of Malawi grow, and  felt the need to get involved and do “something with meaning.” Due to his personal connection to Malawi, he did not think twice before making his decision to become part of the  project. In the combination with his geography master’s degree, his interest in the field of logistics evolved. Having  received packages from Germany himself during his stay in Malawi, he is aware of some logistical difficulties.

One year at Taste of Malawi, let us take a look back. What made this time so special?

At Taste of Malawi, Max gets “the opportunity to relate and reflect on his theoretical input from his International Cultural and Business Studies and can apply his knowledge in practice”. Values play an important role in this context, and he finds it unique how we work together as an entire team scattered across different countries and continents. 

The past year is filled with many memories. The beginning of 2021 alone was eventful. From our yearly meeting, the launch of the label INO, and to   our birthday celebration, this year has already been filled  with many events. In regard to INO, he was able to contribute his logistics point of view during the concept development of the business plan. 

When Simon takes a look back then he remembers the tasks that they have accomplished since their early days in the logistics team as well as the entire ToM team. Their work is multifaceted – from joint intensive research on storage and transportation options to the specific goal of creating a network of flight sponsorships for Malawi. Through their lively exchange, as a team they face the question of how to optimize and adapt processes and steps in the area of logistics. 

After more than a year working at ToM, the two have had a positive experience working together as a team and look forward to the rest of the year with excitement.

We are so excited to have another #FacesOfToM interview soon.  Are you curious about who’s next? We sure are! If you have any questions for the off-  site team, we are always happy to include them in the interviews. Just drop us a line on our social media. See you soon!