Agnes Kalongonda, a 44-year-old widow from T/A Nkhulambe in Phalombe district, found herself in dire straits after Tropical Cyclone Freddy wreaked havoc on her life. 

"Since the disaster, I have been struggling to source food to feed my six children and my 73-year-old grandmother," she tearfully recounted.

Agnes lost her crops to the devastating floods, leaving her with no means to provide for her family. She had to rely solely on the kindness of her neighbors to put food on the table. However, a glimmer of hope arrived when she received assistance amounting to K80, 000 from the Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) in the wake of the disaster.

With this lifeline, Agnes hurriedly made her way to ADMARC to procure maize, which would provide much-needed relief to her family. Her emotional journey reflects the struggles faced by many families in Phalombe District.

In a heartwarming update, we are thrilled to share the remarkable progress and positive impact we've achieved in assisting the survivors of Cyclone Freddy in T/A Njema, Malawi. 

With funding from Christian Aid-start fund, CARD has been tirelessly working on a project aimed at providing crucial support to affected households through shelter kits and agricultural inputs.

On Thursday, 14th September, 2023, CARD`s  Programs Manager, Arthur Lichenya, and Christian Aid country representative Luke Theu, paid a special visit to T/A Njema in Mulanje. Their purpose was to witness and celebrate the remarkable progress being achieved in helping the local households. These compassionate leaders came together with one strong message to uplift the spirits of the T/A Njema communities, assuring them of their steadfast support and unwavering commitment.

During the visit, we were deeply moved by the story of Ephraim Fabiano, a father of six from Ndunde village in Mulanje district. He shared with us the devastating impact Cyclone Freddy had on his life, as it left him and his family with nothing. Fabiano recounted how, on that fateful day, he and his family found themselves perched on an anthill for three days without access to food.

Furthermore, Cyclone Freddy had ravaged his farm, which was his source of sustenance. However, a beacon of hope emerged as CARD stepped in, providing them with 2kg of maize seeds and other essential agricultural inputs.

Today, Fabiano proudly tends to a thriving backyard garden where he has successfully cultivated tomatoes.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Fabiano expressed his heartfelt appreciation, saying, "I would like to express my gratitude for giving us help in times of our need. We are even grateful for the training we were given in cultivating these products."

On Wednesday 13th September, 2023 in a picturesque setting of Khwalala, TA Juma, Mulanje district a ray of hope emerged as we officially launched the transformative Cash Transfer Program under the banner of the Tropical Cyclone and Recovery project.

This initiative, laser-focused on aiding 2500 households battered by the ravages of tropical storm Freddy, is set to usher in a new era of relief and prosperity. By harnessing the power of cash transfers, the project has set its sights on three critical objectives: vanquishing hunger, combating malnutrition, and championing gender equality in the very heart of the humanitarian crisis.

Here is the game-changing part:  Every participating household will receive a lifeline of K50, 700.00, providing them with the vital resources they need to stand tall once more. Furthermore, each beneficiary will be granted a voucher worth a whopping K75, 000. This golden ticket can be exchanged for 10 kilograms of basal dressing fertilizer, 10 kilograms of top dressing fertilizer, and 5 kilograms of high-quality maize seeds.

In a heartwarming declaration of support CARD`s Programs Manager, Arthur Lichenya, stood before the resilient communities of TA Juma during program`s Launch and made a pledge that’s set to light up their lives.
"Today, I stand before you as a representative of CARD, and I want to assure each and every member of this remarkable community that we are here to ensure your lives not only recover but flourish," said Lichenya, radiating optimism.

Every year, farmers in the area of Sub T/A Phimbi in Balaka Malawi, grapple with the formidable adversaries of dry spells and floods during the rain-fed season and winter. These challenges often cast a shadow of uncertainty over their agricultural endeavors.

Today, we bring to light the remarkable journey of Poison Bowman, one of the resilient farmers who faced the devastation of last year's dry spell and floods. The memories of his fields being washed away and the subsequent lack of harvest during the rain-fed season still haunt him.

However, a new chapter has begun, and hope has blossomed, thanks to the collaborative efforts of CARD, in partnership with the Quton Seed Company, under the auspices of the Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB). Bowman was the fortunate recipient of 1kg of the newly introduced MIM4594 maize seed, a game-changer in his farming experience.
With unwavering determination, Bowman planted this seed and witnessed the impressive results it yielded.