Communities empowered through savings, farming
Communities in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Msakambewa in Dowa District are now improved economically following an orientation on village savings and loans (VSL) for businesses, conservation agriculture, environmental protection, child protection and local governance.
The Khwamba sustainable livelihood improvement project which is funded by Scottish government through Tearfund Malawi started in 2015 and aims at reducing poverty and extreme hunger for 30 000 people in the area by empowering vulnerable households through livelihoods improvement and strengthening of local governance and development structures.
Speaking after the monitoring progress last week. Tearfund Malawi project manager Aaron Lewani said he was impressed with the impact of the project.
He said: “We are passionate about ending poverty and seeing communities transformed. First time we came to this area, people were facing numerous challenges like hunger and low household income.
“Since the launch of the project, we have seen the same households which were poor and after the trainings they have managed to solve their own problems.”
Lewani observed that self-help groups are helping are motivating the communities to work together which will help to increase productivity of crops with value addition.
Dorica Kusamale acting executive director of Ministry of Hope which is implementing the project said the project has archived its purpose in the area.
“We have managed to empower the community through livelihood improvement. We organize people through self-help group, a model of development which allow them to save money together get skills from each other. We train them into conservation agriculture and new technology of making their own organic fertilizer by using local resource which doubles the yield,” she said.
Kambeni Kayuwe, a farmer and member of village savings and loans said the project is enhancing the financial status of the community and improve livelihoods.
“I have managed to build two houses roofed with iron sheets, I bought water pump which is helping in my farming and also able to send my child to school and taking good care of my family. I’m planning to buy a car this year because in this land has wealth that can change our lives for the better.
