• Alice  Kumunda

A new dawn for 66-year-old John Mbendera and his family in Phalombe.

For 66-year-old John Mbendera, a father of four, the weight of feeding his family once felt impossible to bear. Living in Traditional Authority Jenala in Phalombe District, he often had no choice but to send his children to neighbouring Mozambique in search of food.

But today, everything has changed and John credits Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) for this transformation. CARD`s support has given him the tools and resources to rebuild his livelihood, allowing his family to thrive and keeping his children closer to home. This is more than relief; it is hope for a stable, self-sufficient future.

"I do not know what to say; CARD, you have bailed me out of hunger. At my age, it is hard to find work and provide food for my family. Now, thanks to manure from the goats I received, I no longer worry about fertilizer costs," he says gratefully.

With his children now able to focus on school, he reflects on the brighter days ahead, no longer overshadowed by the daily struggle for food.

Last season, John harvested three bags of maize a yield he once thought impossible. He shared how Nutrient-rich manure from goat dung, has replaced costly fertilizers. John`s farm productivity is rising and he anticipates an even bigger harvest in the coming season as he gathers more manure from his livestock.

John is just one of many participants benefiting from the "Community-led Planning and Management for Biodiversity Protection and Resilient Communities in the Catchment Area of Lake Chilwa" project.

We are implementing this project in partnership with Trocaire, with support from Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), the project is opening doors for farmers in rural Malawi. By providing livestock and sustainable farming solutions, it empowers local farmers to achieve food security and build resilience against economic hardships.

This project underscores the power of community-led initiatives to address hunger, protect biodiversity, and strengthen livelihoods.