Farming Tools And Training Give Mposa’s Struggling Families In Malawi A Fresh Start.

By Bernard Kankhono, 

World Vision Malawi Communications Officer.

Machinga District is one of the districts in Malawi that often experiences natural disasters. The district is frequently hit by floods, dry spells, strong winds, cholera outbreaks, and crop pests. These challenges continue to affect people’s livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, water and sanitation, education, and business.

Funny Kachingwe, 44, is one of the farmers whose crops were badly damaged by Cyclone Freddy induced floods.

“After the cyclone destroyed my crops, I felt like my world had collapsed. My husband was stressed, worrying about how we would support our five children,” says Kachingwe.

Even though the cyclone happened over a year ago, its effects are still felt. Many people need more support to fully recover.

Kachingwe and other farmers affected by the floods have been getting help from World Vision’s Livelihood and Resilience Project as part of recovery from the impact of the cylone.

Kachingwe, a mother of five, received two bags of 23:21 fertiliser, urea fertiliser, and hybrid maize seeds. With these supplies, she started irrigation farming and harvested over seven bags of maize in her first season.

“Along with irrigation, I was trained to make Mbeya organic fertiliser. This has helped me prepare better for climate challenges. I am proud to be part of this change,” she says.

Through the Livelihood and Resilience Project, World Vision has worked with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) to train farmers and provide tools for irrigation farming. This has improved food security and livelihoods, ensuring children have enough to eat.

Group Village Head Manja says the project has brought real change.

“The project has helped my people recover from climate shocks. Most families who benefited now know how to use irrigation and have the tools to grow food. This makes it easier for them to support their children,” says Group Village Head Manja.

For the past 15 years, with support from World Vision Canada, World Vision has implemented various projects in Mposa to tackle the root causes of poverty, such as natural disasters. One of these is the Livelihood and Resilience Project. Flata Shaba, Area Sponsorship Officer for Mposa says is pleasing to see the progress World Vision has made in the area. 

“We have worked closely with the community and district council to improve children’s lives. As World Vision prepares to leave, we are confident the systems we have built will sustain progress,” says Shaba.