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Hope rising around Lake Chilwa: Communities taking the lead

Earlier this week, we travelled to Machinga and Zomba to see firsthand how communities are transforming their lives through the Community-Led Planning and Management for Biodiversity Protection and Resilient Communities project in the Lake Chilwa catchment area.

What we found was more than progress reports and statistics. We found stories of determination, teamwork and hope.

In Traditional Authority Kuntumanji, Group Village Headman Namasalima in Zomba district members of Katanda Village Savings and Loans (VSL) group gathered proudly to share their journey. The group received a capital of 5 million Malawi Kwacha. The VSL operates as an off-taker business, purchasing rice from fellow farmers within the community and selling it to markets beyond the local area

But the real impact is seen in their daily lives. Some members have bought push bicycles, making it easier to travel to markets and clinics. Others have built stronger homes for their families. Laughter and confidence filled the air as they spoke about their next dream: purchasing a rice miller to boost their businesses even further.

Their story is a powerful reminder that when women are given opportunity and trust, they do not just improve their own live they uplift entire communities.

We are implementing the project with funding from Jersey Overseas Aid and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) through Trócaire, implemented in partnership with CISONECC and ICRAF. The project is active in Zomba, Machinga and Phalombe—districts that surround the Lake Chilwa Basin.

At its heart, the project is about people and the environment they depend on. Lake Chilwa is more than water; it is a source of food, income and identity. By supporting sustainable land management, biodiversity protection and income-generating activities, the initiative is helping communities become stronger and more resilient while protecting the ecosystem that sustains them.

During the visit, SCIAF Programme Officer Jonathan Dames expressed his appreciation for the visible progress on the ground. He commended the communities for their commitment and hard work, noting that the results reflect true local ownership.

Over four years, the project aims to reach 9,000 households across twelve Traditional Authorities in the three districts. Importantly, 60% of direct beneficiaries are women, alongside youth and persons with disabilities, ensuring that those often left behind are part of the change.

As we left Machinga and Zomba, one thing was clear: this is not just a development project. It is a story of resilience, of women daring to dream bigger and of communities protecting the lake that gives them life. Around Lake Chilwa, hope is growing one household, one business and one restored landscape at a time.