Long before the first raindrops fell, Allan Chiotcha was already awake.
As dark clouds gathered over Chimpeni Primary School in Dowa District, the headteacher lay listening—not for thunder, but for the wind.
Rain is often considered a blessing as it signals a good harvest, but in his mud house, the storm signalled a strong warning.
“For us, rain wasn’t something to welcome,” says Chiotcha. “It meant fear.”
Built through communal efforts, the house was never designed to withstand extreme weather patterns now common in the district.
About three years ago, a violent rainstorm tore through the area, ripping off the roof and leaving Chiotcha and his family homeless.
The damage forced him to seek shelter at the nearest school. However, that came at a cost.
He explains: “I had to relocate for safety, but that created challenges in my work.
“A head teacher is expected to be available. When you live far, you miss opportunities to engage with pupils and staff beyond class hours.”
Long daily walks; limited involvement in sports, clubs and remedial lessons; and the inability to respond quickly to school emergencies weighed heavily on an educator who believes leadership extends beyond the classroom.
That chapter, however, is slowly closing.
Rising on the same ground where the fragile house once stood at Chimpeni Primary School is a K178 million climate-resilient home, funded by the Regional Climate Resilience Project Two (RCRP-2), implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with funding from the World Bank.
The project aims to help Malawi adapt to climate change by strengthening public infrastructure, restoring degraded environments and safeguarding essential services in climate-vulnerable districts.
This includes ensuring that teachers have safe, durable housing within school compounds so that learning can continue uninterrupted even as climate shocks intensify.
For Chiotcha, the house taking shape represents more than bricks and mortar; it brings peace of mind.
Unlike his previous home, the climate-smart home is constructed using concrete blocks instead of burnt bricks, steel trusses replacing timber and a raised, reinforced foundation to withstand floods and strong winds.
Dowa District Council engineer Yotamu Nkhonya says the design reflects lessons from past mistakes.
“The previous house was built quickly by the community, using materials that could not last. This time, we are prioritising durability, environmental protection and safety,” he says.
He points out that concrete blocks help reduce deforestation, while steel fittings address termite infestations that weaken traditional timber structures.
“Extreme weather, termites and environmental degradation are persistent challenges here. The new designs respond directly to those realities,” Nkhonya says.
As construction progresses, some community members who once helped mould mud walls for the old house are now engaged through paid labour, learning improved construction methods and witnessing a shift towards long-term resilience.
Watching the structure take shape, Chiotcha allows himself a moment of ease.
“This house is being built with the future in mind. It gives confidence, not just to me, but to the community,” he says.
The Roads Authority and NLGFC jointly implement the RCRP-2 project.
NLGFC is managing a $90 million (about K156.2 billion) allocation, with $70 million (about K121.4 billion) channelled directly to councils as grants for climate-resilience interventions.
Flemmings Nyirenda, deputy RCRP-2 programme coordinator at NLGFC, says the focus is on rebuilding stronger structures that can withstand future disasters.
“We are constructing classrooms, teachers’ houses and rehabilitating agriculture extension planning areas damaged by strong winds, heavy rains and cyclones. The goal is to ensure that when disasters strike, structures are resilient,” he says.
The project is underway in all 20 district councils.
It is also rolling out early-warning systems to alert communities of impending water-related climate risks.
For Chiotcha, the meaning of the new house is simple: “When your home is secure, you teach better. You are not distracted by fear.”
