Malawi: A Renewed Hope after Cyclone Freddy

-
Agnes points to a part of the Zomba district's house affected by Cyclone Freddy. CARE/Samuel Chibaya

Agnes Tambala,31 & mother of six, faced economic trials after her house partly collapsed under the relentless force of Cyclone Freddy. The climate-induced natural disaster struck after the mother of six exhausted her savings through farming investments. Agnes said, "I couldn’t think of anyone to lend me money. Moreover, Agnes lost her livestock kraal and her chickens. Agnes' resilience shone through as she quickly responded to reduce the economic impact she was facing. As a Tikondane Village Savings and Loans Association member, Alice approached the group to borrow cash.
Agnes is cleaning pots at home with the ducks loitering around. CARE/Samuel Chibaya

"I received a K50,000 loan in April," said Agnes. She financed careful investments to revive her source of income. "I used part of the money to buy five ducks to replace the lost chickens. Then, I used the remaining K30,000 to buy a fishing net for my husband, who fishes in Lake Chirwa." The strategic investment proved fruitful. "Imagine, my husband went fishing for just two days and brought home K13,000. With the income returning, we are sure of paying school fees and buying necessities for family support at home," she said, her voice brimming with relief and optimism. Markford Tayimu, the area’s Village Civil Protection Committee chairperson, confirmed Agnes' ordeal during Cyclone Freddy. He lauded her for utilizing the loan to rebuild her life. In the face of the storm, Agnes' story stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the community, bolstered by the support structures put in place by Titukulane.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DRC: Local Women group's advocacy influencing the health center to be built

-
Image
By Alice Bikuba, CARE DRC Reporting and Communication Officer. Fabiola Kambere in her field at Sake/CARE International in DRC. “I am more than a rural woman because through the Village Savings  Loan Association Network I take part in advocating for my community and results are visible.” - Fabiola, Faida Yetu VSLAN   Fabiola is a member of the Faida Yetu Network of Village Savings and Credit Associations (VSLAN) set up by CARE's Gender Equality Women Empowerment Program (GEWEP) in 2019. The Faida Yetu RAVEC, of which Fabiola is a member, is made up of women who advocate for the implementation of the joint plan to improve the health center (CS) in Kaduki (Sake). This advocacy led to the mobilization  of funds to purchase a plot and i nfluence the direction of funding from the health structure development program (PDSS) to the construction of a maternity building, a placenta pit, and a latrine at CS Kaduki.   These advocacy actions are carried out in the context of supporting the impl
Read more

Celebrating 10 Years of Serving My Community

-
Image
By Mawlid Mohamed Mawlid attending to a patient. CARE International It has been 10 years since I joined CARE International as a nutrition officer. Allah gave me a chance to support my vulnerable community in Somalia delivering humanitarian health and nutrition services.  Over these years, my career developed from being an officer, senior officer, nutrition supervisor, health, and nutrition manager. Now, I am in charge of the CARE Somalia Health Management Information System (HMIS). I have been privileged to work in the Garowe office, Bosaso, Burco, and Ceerigabo, offices. This has exposed me to different communities and the challenges they face in their contexts.  In my current position, I am responsible for ensuring the availability of quality data to make informed decisions. CARE Somalia works across more than 100 health facilities, and I ensure that we provide the most effective services and support to communities.  Mawlid checking through the files. CARE International. Being a huma
Read more

Sudan's Silent Suffering: Urgent Action Required to Remedy Worsening Situation

-
Image
CARE Sudan's Country Director Abdirahman visited a CARE-supported clinic. CARE International in Sudan. Abdirahman Ali, CARE Sudan's Country Director, issued this statement to draw urgent attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan. In his recent visit to Kassala, Abdirahman saw the plight of the internally displaced people, after fleeing conflict from Sinnar and Sinjah, with temporary homes and limited basic needs. Abdirahman was uniquely positioned to witness the unfolding humanitarian disaster firsthand while understanding the broader implications and needs.   "Muna, a 43-year-old woman displaced from Sennar, exemplifies the suffering we're witnessing," said Abdirahman Ali CARE Sudan's Country Director. "She along with her husband, who is an amputee, and five children and thousands of others fled the conflict with nothing. They now face unimaginable conditions – lack of food, clean water, and sanitation – in makeshift camps in overcrowded sc
Read more