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In the heart of Nkhwapu T/A Mwadzama, Joseph at the 34 years old, found himself shouldering the weighty responsibility of providing for his family of seven children. However, his path took a transformative turn with the Youth Employability Scheme, a project implemented by FOCCAD in collaboration with Tools for Self Resilience.

Through the project, Joseph seized the opportunity to acquire invaluable skills in carpentry and joinery, setting the stage for a remarkable transformation. With dedication and unwavering determination, he honed his craft, emerging as one of the finest carpenters in his community. From crafting intricate door frames to meticulously designing beds and tables.

“Previously burdened by worries about how to feed my large family, I now find stability and prosperity through this newfound trade,” Joseph expressed with pride. With his newfound skills and entrepreneurial spirit, he embarked on a journey of self-reliance, establishing a thriving furniture-making business that transformed his fortunes.

Today, Joseph’s success shines brightly as he earns a monthly income of over MWK 50,000, a testament to his hard work and dedication. With the financial stability afforded by his flourishing business, he can easily provide for his family’s needs, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for generations to come.

Rhoda, a 17-year-old girl from Makuta village in Nkhotakota, embarked on a transformative journey of empowerment when she sought out sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services at the FOCCAD clinic. Facing the challenges of adolescence and navigating the complexities of sexual health, Rhoda’s decision to seek support marked a significant step towards taking control of her well-being.

At the FOCCAD clinic, Rhoda found a safe and welcoming environment where she could access comprehensive SRHR services tailored to her needs. From information on contraception and family planning to screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Rhoda received vital education and support to make informed decisions about her reproductive health.

With the guidance of healthcare professionals and counselors at the clinic, Rhoda gained knowledge and confidence to prioritize her health and advocate for her rights. Through counseling sessions and she was guided to join one of FOCCAD AGYW peer support groups, where she found solidarity and reassurance, knowing that she was not alone in her journey.

Matilda Buwa, a 63-year-old farmer from Kakopa village in T/A Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota, faced a common challenge shared by many smallholder farmers: low crop yields due to the prohibitive cost of commercial fertilizer. However, Matilda’s determination and ingenuity led her to forge a path of success through innovation and resourcefulness, with the support of FOCCAD’s extension services.

Recognizing the need for an alternative to costly fertilizers, Matilda embarked on a locally available resources, she devised a simple yet effective solution: homemade manure which she was trained by FOCCAD . By blending ash, goat droppings, and maize bran with water and allowing it to decompose over three weeks, Matilda created a nutrient-rich fertilizer tailored to her crops’ needs.

The results were nothing short of remarkable. Matilda’s maize and rice fields flourished under the application of her homemade manure, exhibiting vigorous growth, increased productivity, and enhanced resilience to drought.

“Instead of purchasing expensive fertilizers, I redirected my limited funds towards essential farming activities and household needs” Said Matilda. This newfound freedom empowered Matilda to invest in additional food, seeds, tools, and farming items, further boosting productivity and self-sufficiency on her farm.

Mary, a resident of Nyemba village in T/A Mawadzama, faced challenges due to the scarcity of clean water in her community. Like many women in rural areas, she grappled with the daily ordeal of traveling long distances, often up to 5 kilometers, to fetch water from a clean water bore hole to another village.

However, Mary’s story took a hopeful turn with the intervention of FOCCAD through the Spark project. Empowered by the community-driven approach of Spark, the residents of Nyemba village came together to address their pressing need for clean water. Through collaborative efforts and determination, they chose to prioritize the development of a borehole in their village.

For Mary, the inauguration of the borehole marked a profound transformation in her daily life. No longer burdened by the grueling trek to the muddy stream, she could now access safe and clean water just a stone’s throw away from her home. The impact rippled throughout the community, benefiting not only the residents of Nyemba village but also neighboring villages who shares the newfound resource.

Picture 2 shows : A stream of muddy water before bore hole where people used to drink water.

With the borehole in operation, Mary’s smile radiates with relief and gratitude. As a mother, she no longer worries about the health and well-being of her family, knowing that they have access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. “Moreover, the convenience of the borehole frees up valuable time for me to pursue other activities, contributing to my overall quality of life.” Says Mary.

In the rural village of Besimen in Dedza T/A Kachere, Malawi, Dayiseni and Sayita faced unexpected challenges as teenage mothers. Forced into early marriages after becoming pregnant, their futures seemed dimmed by societal pressures and parental insistence.

However, hope arrived in the form of a peer leader from the Breaking Barriers project. Advocating for their rights to education and autonomy, the peer leader engaged local leaders and parents, gradually shifting perspectives on forced marriage.

With newfound support, Dayiseni and Sayita were welcomed back into their homes, liberated from the constraints of early matrimony. Joining Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) groups, facilitated by Breaking Barriers, they found empowerment and belonging.

Engaging in discussions on reproductive health and entrepreneurship, Dayiseni and Sayita seized opportunities for growth. Participating in small businesses and village savings initiatives, they secured financial independence and contributed to their families’ well-being.

Cathy Born into a family of five in Dedza T/A Kachere, Cathy faced adversities that threatened her future. However, with the intervention of FOCCAD’s Breaking Barriers project and the support of the Kalilang’anga FOCCAD AGYW club, Cathy’s life took a remarkable turn.

Initially, Cathy found herself among the many girls who dropped out of school due to pregnancy, feeling lost and uncertain about her future. But FOCCAD’s initiatives brought a glimmer of hope. Through health talks on reproductive health and STI prevention, Cathy gained crucial knowledge, empowering her to make informed decisions about her well-being.

Moreover, the supportive environment fostered by FOCCAD and the involvement of school governance structures helped address stigma and discrimination, paving the way for Cathy’s educational journey. With the encouragement of peer leaders, Cathy embarked on the challenging path to reclaim her education, re-entering school despite the hurdles of being a young mother.

Today, Cathy’s perseverance has yielded remarkable results. Resuming her studies in STD 7, “I am  driven by the desire to build a better future for myself and my child.”Said Cathy.

Beyond academics, Cathy’s involvement in the club has equipped her with valuable life skills, including financial literacy, through village savings initiatives facilitated by FOCCAD.

Cathy’s journey has not only transformed her life but has also brought pride and joy to her family. Her mother acknowledges the positive impact of FOCCAD’s intervention, recognizing Cathy’s dedication to her education and newfound sense of responsibility.

FOCCAD and WFP Provide Vital Assistance to 19,500 Households in Ntcheu District In a concerted effort to address food insecurity in Ntcheu District, the Foundation for Community and Capacity Development (FOCCAD), with support from the World Food Program (WFP) under the MVAC Lean Season Response Program, has undertaken a significant initiative. The program involves the distribution of LSR (Lean Season Response) cash to over 19,500 households across 11 Traditional Authorities, 141 group villages, and 35 Community Development Programs.

Each of the beneficiary households  received MK50,000, totaling close to MK1 billion disbursed to meet their basic food basket and livelihood needs. This initiative marks a departure from the traditional provision of maize by the government of Malawi, transitioning to a cash-based approach for greater flexibility and effectiveness.

Dan Nthara, the Executive Director of FOCCAD, expressed his endorsement of the program, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that families are food-secure and capable of meeting their basic needs, particularly in the face of unfavorable weather conditions.With the district experiencing inadequate rainfall, Nthara urged communities to embrace irrigation practices as a means of mitigating the impact of droughts.

One of the beneficiaries, Harriet John from Msakwela village, shared her gratitude for the assistance provided. Having endured days without food due to her dry field, Harriet expressed relief at receiving the cash assistance. She pledged to utilize the funds to purchase food and expressed optimism for the future.

Harriet commended the collaborative efforts of WFP and FOCCAD, expressing hope for continued support from well-wishers.

In a transformative initiative, 76 out-of-school youths from T/A Malengachanzi and T/A Mwadzama have successfully completed a year-long vocational skills training under the Youth Employability Scheme (YES) project, spearheaded by the Foundation for Community Capacity Development (FOCCAD). The program, aimed at empowering youths, mitigating risks like early marriages, and fostering self-reliance, has culminated in the graduates receiving start-up tool kits and forming business groups.

The comprehensive vocational training covered diverse areas, including welding and fabrication, tailoring and designing, bricklaying, motorcycle mechanics and repair, carpentry and joinery, and electrical installation. The graduates, equipped with their start-up kits, are now set to run their businesses collaboratively, emphasizing the communal spirit fostered by the program.

As a meaningful way of giving back to the community, the tailoring students, showcasing their acquired skills, produced school uniforms for more than 36 needy primary children. This act of generosity highlights the holistic impact of FOCCAD’s initiative, extending beyond vocational skills to community welfare.

The YES project goes beyond skills training; it is about empowering youths to create positive change. The graduates, now equipped with start-up kits, are not only entrepreneurs but also contributors to community well-being.”

With the successful completion of 12 months of vocational training, FOCCAD envisions additional programs beyond skill development. The focus remains on sustainable empowerment and continued positive contributions to the communities served.

ALLEVIATING POVERTY THROUGH VSL.

Adija Ashimu’s   born in 1986 in Chiula Village, under the Traditional Authority of Kalimanjila in Nkhotakota, her life took a transformative turn in 2020 when she became a member of TIYAMIKE VSL (Village Savings and Loans) with the support of FOCCAD, an organization dedicated to community development.

Adija is not only a loving mother of five children but also an entrepreneur with a strong spirit. Her journey began with a loan of MWK 20,000 from her VSL group. With this financial boost, she ventured into the world of small-scale business, primarily dealing in the buying and selling of rice and fresh tomatoes. Her determination and hard work paid off, and she was able to generate a profit of MWK 150,000 per month from her various businesses.

What’s even more impressive is that she has managed to construct a house worth MWK 1,000,500 which is under construction  . She didn’t stop there. Adija’s commitment to her family’s well-being is evident in her decision to send her son  who is in form 3 now to a boarding school at College Secondary School, where she pays MWK 290,000 per term, ensuring he receives a quality education.

Adija’s long-term dream is to alleviate poverty among her family members, and she’s well on her way to achieving that goal as she still acquires skills through guidance from  FOCCAD.

In a significant endeavor to promote community development and empowerment, the Foundation for Community and Capacity Development (FOCCAD) and Spark MicroGrants are embarking on a transformative journey.

Their collaborative program, with a budget of K480,274,414, aims to bring about positive change in Nkhotakota. FOCCAD’s Director, Dan Nthara, announced that the program’s extension is a direct result of the highly successful pre-pilot phase. This initial phase left an indelible mark on 12 villages, introducing projects such as soap making, poultry,pig production, community maize mill and even the construction of a community school. These initiatives brought tangible improvements to the livelihoods of the communities involved.

Under the new program, a total of 24 villages will actively participate, each receiving grants totaling K11.3 million Kwacha. What sets this initiative apart is its empowerment of the villages to choose and execute projects that align with their unique needs and aspirations. This collaborative partnership between FOCCAD and Spark MicroGrants is set to expand the program’s reach to 24 villages, spanning four Traditional Authorities—Mphonde, Kalimanjila, Mwadzama, and Malenga Chanzi—in Nkhotakota. It’s a testament to the power of collective efforts in fostering community development and creating a brighter future for the region. This program represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of positive change and development in Nkhotakota.

Titukulane program highlights the remarkable achievements that can be accomplished when organizations, communities, and local authorities unite for a common goal. The future holds the promise of lasting and meaningful transformations in the lives of the communities involved. Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of this transformative initiative.