Irrigation Clubs at Work in Malawi
Meet Christina Lemani, Chairperson of the Madzimayera Irrigation Club
Orant is always excited about the progress and the fruits our Irrigation clubs bear. We are happy seeing people’s lives transformed through different initiatives from our Irrigation clubs. However, we understand that all this would not be possible without the commitment of individuals from the communities who work tirelessly to make sure that their communities are transformed.
In this blog, we meet Christina Lemani, the chairperson for Madzimayera Irrigation Club. Christina is married with 8 children and has been the chairperson for the Irrigation club since 2021.
Why did you join an Irrigation club?
With many challenges that my family was facing, I decided to join the Irrigation club to find an income for my family. Not only that, considering my big family, the harvest from rainfed agriculture was not adequate to feed my family in years where the rains were lessened. Thus, I thought joining the Irrigation club could help me have enough food even when my rainfed crops could not do well.
Why did you choose farming as a source of income?
I live only a few kilometers from Kasangadzi river. Everytime I walked by this river, it pained me because I felt like we were putting an important resource into waste. I have always been passionate about irrigation farming but I lacked knowledge and support. When I heard that Orant was establishing an irrigation club around my community, I did not give it a second thought but to join. And to me, it was a passion fulfilled!
Adding to that, during the chilimwe period (the dry season between the months of April and November), most of us just stay idle waiting for the next rains to come. I decided to channel this wasted time into something useful; as I wait for the next rains to come, I do the irrigation farming.
What is your responsibility in the Irrigation club?
As a chairperson, my responsibility is to guide and manage others with the aim of making sure that the group is on the right track and moving towards achieving our goals. This involves getting people motivated and organized at all times. I understand that without strong leadership, the club might completely collapse.
Anything you would like to share?
As a club, we are always grateful for all the support that Orant Charities gives us. Our lives, families and communities have greatly been transformed by their support. Not long ago, the water from Kasangadzi river was being put to waste. But now, Orant has taught us to put such a resource into use as a way of transforming our lives.
To read more about Orant’s Irrigation clubs, click here.
