Clucking Companions Uplift Village from Poverty's Grasp
With a modest beginning of just nine chickens per household, the community is now experiencing an uplift, breaking free from the clutches of extreme poverty.
MANGOCHI, Malawi- In the heart of Mangochi, Malawi, a transformative poultry-centered initiative is reshaping the narrative of hardship, propelling a community toward prosperity, writes Esther Banda.
With a modest beginning of just nine chickens per household, the community is now experiencing an uplift, breaking free from the clutches of extreme poverty.
"I was really suffering a lot; I couldn't even manage to pay my daughter's school fees, which is MK3,500 per term. But now, I can do everything with ease, no worries anymore," said Patricia Asikoti, a beneficiary from Chilonga village.
AfricaBrief brings you the story from Mangochi, where these clucking companions are not only laying eggs but also rewriting destinies, putting school fees on tables and enriching dinner plates.
Asikoti proudly shared that she can now pay her daughter's school fees without the burden of worries.
Her flock has grown to fifty-nine chickens.
Walesi Awali, another beneficiary, expressed his joy, stating that his family lacks nothing. With ten children, Awali highlighted that he can now provide for his family and even produce manure from the chicken waste.
The program, implemented by Plan Malawi in partnership with WFP and funded by USAID, commenced in 2017 across four Traditional Authorities: Nankumba, Chowe Makanjira, and Mponda.
Originally initiated by Emmanuel International and Concern Worldwide with WFP, Plan International joined in 2019 to continue the program.
In Mangochi District, Plan Malawi distributed over eight hundred chickens, with Chilonga Village having 25 beneficiaries.
The chickens were distributed in September last year, marking a significant step toward breaking the chains of poverty through the humble clucks of these newfound companions.
"The goal is to build resilience in farmers, especially the vulnerable," said Harrison Chilonga, Project Coordinator of Plan Malawi.
"The climate has changed, and that is the time they need more support."