As the backbone of Malawi's economy, agriculture accounts for approximately 30% of the country's Gross Domestic Product. It is the primary source of livelihood for many rural Malawians, who solely rely on farming to make ends meet. However, the journey to a successful harvest is never easy for these rural farmers, who face numerous challenges that threaten their livelihoods. In this week's blog article, we delve into the current challenges facing Malawi’s rural farmers this farming season.
Empowering Women, Transforming Lives: The Story of Judith Kachala
Author: Praises Padambo
Empowering Women, Transforming Lives
Aged 51, Judith hails from Kachala village, Traditional Authority Chakhaza. She is a single mother of four whose life depends on her businesses.
“I started with running a business, selling cooked beans in my village. Everyday, I could cook beans and carry them by the roadside where people could come to buy for relish,” says Judith.
Judith explains how despite her efforts in the business, her business struggled due to limited capital.
This is what made Judith apply for our Financially Empowering Microloans (FEM) program to boost her business capital.
The Financially Empowering Microloans (FEM) for Women program began in 2017 with the goal of supporting women in our community who were stuck in a cycle of poverty.
Women apply for a no-interest loan that will be paid back in equal installments over the next four months. The money helps them buy more supplies to trade or otherwise invest in their small business. Then, they use the profits to improve their lives by doing things like funding their children’s education or building a floor for their house.
A Life-Changing Loan
In December 2023, Judith applied for a loan amounting to 50,000 MWK (Approximately $65 USD), which she invested in her cooked beans business and part of it she invested in a Tea Room business.
“I decided to diversify the businesses so they could support each other as per the training that the FEM program took us through,” she says.
After running both businesses for some time, Judith says she found the Tea Room business more rewarding hence she decided to concentrate more on it and she stopped selling beans.
“I later decided to diversify into selling Zigege, a snack made out of Irish Potatoes and Flour, because I still saw a need for diversifying businesses,” says Judith.
After running her businesses for some months, Judith is very happy with the progress she has made. She has constructed a structure which once finished, she will be using as a Tea Room.
“Not only that. My life has also completely changed. My household used to lack basic things such as a bar of soap and money for maize milling. But it’s all now history. We no longer lack such things.”
A Brighter Future
Judith’s plan for the future is to buy iron sheets for the Tea Room she has constructed and to open a grocery shop which will not only help her household, but also serve her community.
When asked about what drives her in her business, Judith says: “The pain of seeing my family suffer motivates me to work hard. I love seeing my children well-fed, educated, and with basic necessities.”
Judith’s story exemplifies the transformative power of access to financial resources and business training. Our Business Development Program continues to empower women like Judith, fostering economic growth and improved living standards.
Join us in celebrating Judith’s success and supporting more women like her. Learn how you can get involved with our Business Development Program and FEM initiative by contacting our Development officer at [email protected].
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