From Potatoes to Prosperity: NGO's holistic approach transforms lives in rural Malawi
Makalani's story is one of resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of accessible clean water.
DOWA, Malawi—In Malawi's Dowa District, the Rhema Institute for Development (RHID) is spearheading a quiet revolution, transforming lives through a multifaceted approach to community development. At the heart of this change is Enelesi Makalani, a resident of Ntchenenje village in Traditional Authority Mkukula, whose thriving Irish potato field symbolizes the far-reaching impact of RHID's interventions, writes Winston Mwale.
Established in 2005, RHID's mission extends beyond providing clean water. The organization aims to reduce poverty, mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, and empower communities across Malawi. Their 2020-2023 strategic plan focuses on education, water and sanitation, nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention, and women and children empowerment.
"Rhema has helped in encouraging us to fend for ourselves," Makalani acknowledges. "Previously, we could just sit at home, do nothing, but now we do Village Savings and Loan (VSL) and we don't lack anything."
RHID's holistic approach is evident in Makalani's story. The NGO's implementation of a diesel-powered piped water supply system, supported by Hope for a Child, provided the foundation for her agricultural journey. This crucial intervention has ensured safe drinking water for the community at Dowa Turn-off, addressing long-standing issues of water scarcity and contamination.
For Makalani, the reliable water source became a springboard for economic empowerment.
"I started growing Irish potatoes because of the problems I was facing," she explains.
"It all started because I had no money to buy shares at VSL. After selling the potatoes, I buy shares at VSL and also get what I want for myself."
The sophistication of RHID's intervention is evident in the prepaid system accompanying the new water infrastructure, ensuring sustainable operation and maintenance.
This stability has allowed farmers like Makalani to plan and invest in their crops with confidence.
Now in her second year of potato farming, Makalani's success is tangible.
"During the first year, I got K120,000 from one plot. I bought a pig," she shares proudly. Her ambitions continue to grow: "This time around, I expect to get K100,000 more from the sales."
RHID's impact extends beyond agriculture and water provision.
Their focus on education has ensured primary school-going children are enrolled and provided with adequate education and health facilities.
The organization's emphasis on financial management skills has empowered women like Makalani to participate in VSL programs, fostering economic growth and poverty reduction.
The NGO's comprehensive approach also addresses nutrition education and sanitation management, contributing to overall community health and well-being.
As RHID continues to expand its services, bringing them closer to more households, stories like Makalani's serve as powerful testimonies to the organization's impact.
The ongoing assessments and surveys for further extension of their programs promise even greater changes on the horizon.
Makalani's message to her community encapsulates the spirit of RHID's work: "Those of you who are listening to me and have not started VSL or farming, I urge you to start now."
In Dowa, with every initiative implemented by RHID, a seed of hope is planted. For Enelesi Makalani and countless others, these seeds are already bearing fruit, transforming not just landscapes, but lives.
As the sun sets over her potato field, Makalani stands tall, a living testament to the power of holistic community development, support, and unwavering determination.