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.

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.

Today, February 7th, 2024, marks the dawn of a remarkable initiative in Mwanza district as CARD and Christian Aid unveil their latest endeavor: a groundbreaking Humanitarian Emergency Response project! 

Filled with optimism and unwavering commitment, representatives from CARD and Christian Aid came together to present this vital project to the esteemed members of District Civil Protection Committee (DCPC) in Mwanza. And the excitement was palpable!

With support from the Scottish government through Christian Aid the project is not just about numbers; it's about touching lives. Over the span of two months—February and March—this initiative aims to reach out to 3,100 individuals across the three Traditional Authorities of Nthache, Kanduku, and Govati. 

Each project participant will receive a significant cash sum of K69, 250 per month, providing crucial support during times of need. However the cash for the two months shall be paid once in February which means each project participant shall receive K138,500.