This Christmas, we are sharing stories from Christian Aid’s partners in Malawi. Fyness Tembo, a mum in the Mzimba district, looks forward to a special celebration on Christmas day.
She says: 'Here in our area, we host dances. The young people play football matches. And we celebrate by eating the food we have prepared. We cook chicken and rice. After eating my rice, I feel very happy and satisfied. I wish I could be eating rice every day.’
But sadly, this Christmas, many families in Malawi will struggle even to have their staple food of maize porridge. Hunger has grown, due to the climate crisis.
Hotter temperatures and drought, and destructive downpours and floods are playing havoc with the growing seasons, causing poor crop yields and food shortages.
With support from our local partner, the Synod of Livingstonia Development Department (SoLDEV), and a project called SOSURE (Social Support for Resilience), nearly 15,000 of the most vulnerable, food-insecure households in Malawi are now building their resilience to climate shocks.
SoLDEV and SOSURE provide training in climate-smart farming, seeds and training for backyard gardening, village savings and loan groups, and technologies like sustainable cookstoves to help women conserve wood and time.
Fyness and her family have improved their food security with SoLDEV.
Image credits and information
Christian Aid’s partner here taught us the importance of having a garden...I used to lack food, but now, I am able to feed my family. I am grateful to Christian Aid. Thank you very much.
You can learn more about our work in Malawi by joining our next Virtual Supporter Gathering on Zoom on 28 February 2023.
Christian Aid staff in Malawi will be sharing project updates and will answer your questions live. Speakers from our Country Teams are always the most popular session at the Gathering, for good reason!
We will also hear about Christian Aid Week and find out about the Kilkwalk events planned for 2023 and we will celebrate all the local fundraising efforts across Scotland.
