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Hope in the Lean season.

Morning had only just begun, yet the sun was already heavy in the sky as we arrived in Machinga District under Traditional Authorities Chamba and Mposa. For many families here, the lean season has been long, harsh and unforgiving. But on this day, there was a quiet sense of hope.

We were delivering the second round of cash transfers under the Lean Season Response Project reaching the most vulnerable households including child-headed households, elderly caregivers, female-headed households and persons living with disabilities among others. These are families who feel hunger first and hardest and for them, this support means more than money it means relief, dignity and choice.

In total, 385 participants received cash support to help meet their immediate food needs while also supporting local markets. Instead of food handouts, families can buy what they need most from nearby trading centres, restoring a sense of independence at a time when options are few.

The project runs for three months, with each participant receiving a total of MWK 90,500. This distribution follows the first phase held in December 2025, with the final transfer scheduled for February 2026.

Among those waiting patiently was Ester Nikisi, a 76-year-old widow, a mother of three, and the sole caregiver to her three orphaned grandchildren. Before the cash transfers, life was painfully difficult for the family. Hunger was constant, and for the children, school was a daily struggle rather than a place of learning and hope.

“My grandchild used to come home crying,” Ester shared softly. “She would tell me school was hard because her feet were hurting and she was always hungry.”

The child walked to school barefoot, unable to concentrate in class, carrying worries no child should have to bear.

Holding the cash transfer, “Now I will buy food and shoes for my grandchildren, they will be happy and they will focus on their education. That suffering is now history.” Ester’s face lit up with quiet relief.

With emotion in her voice, Ester added, “Trócaire and CARD, God bless you. I am very grateful.”

This project is being implemented in Machinga District with support from Trócaire in response to the severe impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, which has significantly worsened food insecurity across Malawi. The intervention complements ongoing efforts by the Malawi Government and UN agencies through cash transfer assistance, helping to fill critical gaps left by limited coverage due to the overwhelming number of affected households. For families like Ester’s, this support is more than an emergency response to hunger it is a powerful reminder that they are seen, supported and not alone.