In the heart of Phalombe district, nestled along the banks of the Phalombe River, lies the village of Group Village Headman (GVH) Tamani, home to Mr. John Mbendera, a 58-year-old farmer with a story of resilience and hope. With a wife and five children depending on him, Mr. Mbendera's livelihood has long been sustained by his crop farming activities. However, his world was rocked in 2023 when Tropical Cyclone Freddy wreaked havoc on his main crop field, leaving him grappling with the aftermath.
Mr. Mbendera, a dedicated member of the GVH Tamani Village Natural Resources Management Committee (VNRC), was one of the 7,855 project participants enrolled in the Lake Chilwa Basin Project goat distribution program in 2023.
With funding from Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), Scottish Catholic International Fund (SCIAF) and Trocaire Malawi, we are implementing this initiative to safeguard the biodiversity of the Lake Chilwa catchment area while strengthening community resilience to alleviate household poverty.
Among its various interventions, the project supports VNRCs by providing goats through a pass-on program and supplying beehives to engage in beekeeping enterprises, thus empowering them to manage Village Forest Areas effectively. Owing to his unwavering commitment and hard work within the VNRC, Mr. Mbendera was honored as one of the initial five recipients of goats from the Tamani VNRC, he was awarded five goats, a gift that proved to be more than just livestock but a lifeline towards a brighter future. With four she-goats and one he-goat in tow, Mr. Mbendera embarked on a journey of empowerment.
Recalling the devastation, Mr. Mbendera shares, "I only managed to harvest three 50kg bags from the remaining section, but previously I could harvest 11 bags from the same field." It was a significant blow to his family's sustenance.
Gratefully reflecting on the impact, Mr. Mbendera expresses, "I am so glad to have been one of the recipients of the goat pass-on program, through this initiative, I am now able to make compost using the dung that I collect daily, enabling me to cultivate crops despite the challenges posed by expensive inorganic fertilizers."
The goats not only provide him with essential resources but also symbolize a newfound resilience against future adversities. Looking ahead, Mr. Mbendera envisions a future where his household thrives through diversified income streams.
With gratitude towards the support from organizations like CARD and its partners, he expresses his aspirations, saying, "I am very thankful for this intervention, which has helped me diversify my income sources. One day, I will be able to afford iron sheets to extend my house and pay for my daughters' school fees."
With laughter in his voice and determination in his eyes, Mr. Mbendera shares his dreams of prosperity, confident that through perseverance and the unwavering support of the initiative, his aspirations will soon become a reality. As he bids farewell to the officers, he leaves behind a tale of hope, resilience, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow
