Where we want to get to
Three years ago we started an innovative sponsored 10-year programme in Malawi that will reach 30,000 farming households. To ensure this ambitious project really meets people’s needs we carried out an unprecedented listening and in-depth planning process involving community members and local leaders. As part of our planning process we supported communities to think about their vision for a developed community and the steps they were going to take to make that vision a reality. When Find Your Feet team members Olivia Wills and Molly Stevenson visited FYF’s work in Malawi for the first time this May they learnt about the life changing effect that this approach had had on people’s lives. “By working together we are strong”
Joyce and Aaron Chavuloa are from Jandang-onbe village in Rumphi. After discussing a range of options during the Rumphi planning process the couple, along with other members of their village, decided to apply for a loan to buy goats. The group decided to buy goats because they already had experience in goat keeping and they discussed that the goat manure could be used to increase their crop yields and they could eventually sell the kids to earn an income. FAIR gave them additional support by providing them with training in livestock management and in the construction of a good goat pen. Making effective use of manure
By planting their maize in pits Jandang-obe group members have made excellent use of the manure they are getting from the goats. Planting in pits conserves more water for plant use and reduces weed infestation. The same pits can be used four years running and you only need to apply manure once. From there....to here!
“Before we didn’t have enough money to buy soap or send our children to school. We used to run out of food in October meaning that we didn’t have food for up to six months. Things are really changing for us. We built this house as a result of the increases in our yields. You can see the difference between our old house and our new house!” Joyce Chavuloa Joyce and Aaron’s story is a clear illustration of what can be achieved when people are supported to build on their own resources to achieve their vision for a developed community. By considering the resources they already have (goat keeping skills) and working alongside others they now not only have more than enough to eat, they have also been able to build a better place to live!
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“FAIR (Find Your Feet Malawi) helped us to think about where we want to go and how we get there.” Gogo Mtampha, Bolero, Rumphi District.
“With a loan through the project our group bought 12 goats. Our goats gave birth and then we had 28 goats! We have passed 12 of these goats on to another group so that they can benefit as well. By working together in a group we are strong.” Joyce Chavuloa, Rumphi.
“Through FAIR we learnt about maize pit planting. We constructed a demonstration plot near our house to show our fellow farmers how to do it as well. We are now doing it on a larger scale in our fields and have had bumper harvests"
