Partnership with Worldwide Logistics Group

By Beth Cohen and Jordan Heinzel-Nelson

Worldwide Logistics Group (WWL), a global logistics and supply chain management company, is donating warehouse and shipping services to help support Villages in Partnership (VIP), an organization whose mission is to help impoverished people in Sakata, Malawi. As VIP continues to secure much needed supplies for Malawi, WWL will receive, store, pack and ship the donations. Upon arrival in Malawi, WWL’s agent will arrange custom clearance and delivery of items to various villages there.

Using their warehouse in Cranbury, New Jersey, Worldwide Logistics Group will be collecting and processing supplies as they are donated. Once all the donations are received WWL will containerize the items and move by ocean to Malawi.   

“We are passionate about moving goods around the world, but when we can be part of shipping resources to Malawi, it takes our passion to the next level,” said John Rapczak, general manager of NTDS and the WWL warehouse in Cranbury, New Jersey. “This endeavor is very meaningful to every employee involved.”

The first items donated came through the beekeepers, sending beekeeping equipment, due to arrive at the WWL warehouse this week. This equipment will assist a group of Malawian bee keepers who harvest honey and sell it for their business as well as a group of Malawian women who have started a beeswax candle company with the help of Villages in Partnership.

Villages in Partnership has a unique outreach approach. They work with villagers to understand their needs. Next, they mobilize support in the West to provide resources and expertise. The entire village works with Villages in Partnership to build a solution and when the project is completed, the villagers take ownership. Each project helps build an entire community.

“We are excited to see the fruits of this partnership,” said Liz Heinzel-Nelson, Executive Director of VIP. “For years we have dreamed of sending supplies over to Malawi to help propel these projects forward. The partnership with WWL has made these dreams a reality.”

Other possible donations expected are hospital beds, medical equipment, microscopes to fill High School science labs and books.

“Once we receive all the expected donations, we will get them containerized and moving as quickly as possible.  We’re excited to be involved in this project”Mr. Rapczak said.

In addition to the shipping support, WWL has sponsored VIP in their annual Water Walk fundraiser. This year, the Water Walk raised over $360,000 through the help of sponsoring businesses like WWL.

If you are interested in providing resources, please contact Ms. Heinzel-Nelson at liz.hn@villagesinpartnership.org