"I am grateful to CARD," Sarah Banda beams with pride, "they taught me to practice mulching as one of the conservation agriculture technology accompanied  with planting with precision and now I have graduated from harvesting 8 bags to 20 bags on my half-acre farm. I can now support my 4 children!" Her smile radiates a sense of accomplishment that speaks volumes.

At 38 years old, Sarah narrates how CARD rescued her family from the clutches of hunger by providing essential resources and invaluable knowledge in farming. "From the provision of seeds and fertilizer (for making mbeya manure) to the invaluable farming insights," Sarah explains, "CARD truly bailed us out of hunger."

With a glimmer of hope in her eyes, Sarah shares the tangible fruits of her labor. "Last year, I made MK250, 000.00, from the maize sales that I made from my rain-fed harvest " she reveals " and with that, I bought a goat, provided clothing for my family and paid school fees for my children." Sarah's transformation is not just about economic prosperity; it's about rebuilding dreams and securing a brighter future for her loved ones.

With funding from Canadian Foodgrains Bank through Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D), CARD is implementing the Enhancing Climate Resilience for Improved Income and Food Security (ECRIF) project. Operating in Traditional Authority Nkaya, Sub Traditional Authority Phimbi and Mgomwa in Balaka, with a target of 1200 project participants this project is more than just a mission; it's a lifeline for communities striving for a better tomorrow.

In the village of Kampila, under Traditional Authority Ndamera in Nsanje district, CARD implemented transformative movement: Integrated Homestead Farming (IHF) which is a beacon of hope for families like that of Felix George Fombe, a 52-year-old husband to Ntchai Lolesi and father of five – a son and four daughters.

IHF is not merely about growing crops and rearing small stock; it's a holistic approach aimed at enhancing household food security and combating micronutrient deficiencies. With its focus on producing diverse and nutritious food while generating income, IHF has become a cornerstone of the Community Led Disaster Preparedness and Management through Scaling and Institutionalizing Local Led Approaches project.

Under the guidance of CARD, funded by Norwegian Church Aid-Danish Church Aid (NCA-DCA), lead farmers and farmer followers have been trained in IHF principles. As part of this initiative, 61 farmers, including Felix George Fombe, were equipped with knowledge and resources, receiving goats for breeding and diverse vegetables to enrich their kitchen backyard gardens.

February 28th, 2024, is imprinted into Mwanza's records as a day of resounding hope and resilience, particularly for the residents of Senior Group Govati. Against the backdrop of adversity, a beacon of hope shone brightly as Mwanza launched a transformative cash distribution program at the Group Village Headman (GVH) Mpeni.

This initiative, propelled by the partnership between the Scottish Government, Christian Aid and Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD), aims to uplift 3,100 households across Mwanza's Traditional Authorities of Govati, Kanduku and Nthache.

With each household receiving K138, 500, a lifeline is extended to sustain them through the challenging months of March and April.

In the face of adversity, dreams are often the seeds of hope that keep communities resilient. In Nsanje, the dream of overcoming the effects of Loss and Damage is becoming a vibrant reality.

Gratitude fills the air as communities from Group Village Mambundungu, Traditional Authority Malemia in Nsanje, express their joy at the transformative power of micro grants provided by CARD. These micro grants are not just financial assistance; they are lifelines, empowering communities to reduce the impact of flash floods and forge a path towards resilience.

CARD's visionary approach to project ownership, sustainability and accountability is empowering local structures to take charge of their own destiny. Through training and collaboration, communities are designing and implementing early actions to mitigate forecasted disasters, with the Village Disaster Risk Management Committees (VDRMCs) at the helm, crafting proposals that draw from existing contingency plans aimed at Disaster Risk Reduction.