This project works to improve the livelihoods of poor people from 2,600 households.
The project aims to:
• Improve household food and nutrition security
To increase crop production, the project promotes a range of sustainable farming practices including composting, contour ridges and agroforestry. Crop diversification is promoted and community seed banks are set up to hold these alternative crops. As a result, hundreds of households are now able to access seed to grow OPV maize, Soya bean and drought tolerant crops such as cassava and sweet potatoes. Farmers also have access to various seeds including okra, egg plant and green pepper for their vegetable gardens. The project provides treadle pumps and watering cans to families so that they can grow crops during the dry season and water their tree nurseries. Promoting the sustainable use of wetlands is an important part of the project.
• Increase incomes and assets from small businesses
The project encourages off-farm income-generating enterprises to increase incomes. Farmers receive training in the development of business ideas and plans, market research and establishing market linkages. This enables people to set up a range of successful businesses which include running grocery stalls, local beer brewing and vegetables selling. Training in beekeeping and fruit farming has also taken place which is opening up new opportunities. A livestock pass-on programme is yielding positive results with more families benefiting from the nutrition and income that goats, chickens and guinea fowl provide.
Savings groups have been established. The members are trained in credit management and are linked to the Opportunity International Bank of Malawi, which enables access to larger loans to set up businesses.
• Increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and help people to cope with its negative effects
Communities are encouraged to go for Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). There has been a very significant increase in the number of people taking this up at the project’s mobile clinics. The project has trained peer educators to raise awareness of issues around HIV and reduce discrimination. Home Based Carers are being trained to provide support to those affected. Improving nutrition is a key aspect of the projects work on HIV and Aids.
Self Help Africa is working with MALEZA (Malawi Enterprise Zone Association) and MACRO ((Malawi Aids Counselling and Resource Organisation) to implement this project. An important part of Self Help Africa’s work involves supporting and strengthening the capacity of MALEZA.
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