NCA Uplifts Lives in Rumphi Through Poverty Alleviation Programs
RUMPHI, Malawi - People from Rumphi District under Traditional Authority Chikulameyembe have praised Norwegian Church Aid for uplifting their lives through different poverty alleviation programs, writes Victor Musongole.
NCA has been implementing several interventions through partners like Sprodeta under Chikulameyembe in Rumphi.
Thomas Zimba from Magongoninga Model Village under Traditional Authority Chikulameyembe who benefited goats from Sprodeta project says the goats have given his family steady income and manure as he also produces mbeya fertilizer learned from Sprodeta project, a partner of NCA early last year.
"I'm very happy with the goats I get manure and sell some for my needs," Zimba explained.
"I was among the first beneficiaries and I currently have 11 goats and have already passed on to my friend. I have also bought a motorcycle from processing mbeya fertilizer where I learnt last year. I have sold more than 15 bags and I have bought a motorcycle."
Zimba says together with the family they have set goals and they are hopeful of purchasing a car in years to come as he has steady income from goats and mbeya fertilizer, selling a 50 kilogram bag at 40,000 kwacha each.
Village Headman Walutundu Gondwe, speaking to visiting students from Denmark under NCA, says the organization's interventions in his area cannot go unnoticed as it has greatly improved through different teachings.
"They gave out goats, taught us how to make manure, bee farming and how to conduct village tribunal," Gondwe said.
"These things have greatly changed our village and I hope in next two years my village will be food secure."
Happy Njikho, head teacher for Luviri Secondary School where visiting students from Denmark spent a night and donated sports uniforms, says the garden irrigation kit they received from NCA last year helped the school reduce their food purchase for students.
"From the garden they supported us last year we harvested some were used in our kitchen while some were sold and used to pay fees for one underprivileged student," Njikho said in an interview.
"The newly established orchard will help us greatly as students will access fruits at their doorstep freely and we have learned a lot about how our friends in Denmark are tackling environmental issues."
Njikho's words were echoed by head girl Jenala Chikanda who says they have learned climate change impact and will implement what they have learned.
Twenty-one Danish students are in the country to appreciate how NCA interventions are helping people.
Over the weekend they visited several villages in Rumphi to see how the village tribunal works in handling local cases and bee farming.
They spent a night at Luviri Secondary to experience daily life at the school.
They also donated school equipment to Chikwawa Primary and Chenachena in Rumphi.