Mary Mikuwa, a 25-year-old farmer from GVH Kimu, faced a daunting challenge when the El Niño weather phenomenon devastated her crops, leaving her family without a harvest. Farming was their primary source of livelihood, and the loss brought on food scarcity, plunging Mary and her husband into uncertainty about how they would make it through to the next planting season.
Relief came through the Hunger Response Project, a partnership between YODEP and Save the Children Malawi. Mary received K180,000.00 to buy food, offering immediate relief from hunger. Yet, Mary saw beyond her current crisis and seized the opportunity to invest in her family’s future.
“I used the money to buy 50kg of fertilizer,” Mary explained. “I am hopeful that with good rains this season, we will have a better harvest and sustain ourselves in the future.”
In addition to purchasing fertilizer, Mary and her husband turned to peace work, a community-based labor exchange system, to meet their immediate needs. Their hard work allowed them to secure food while planning for the next farming season.
Mary’s resilience and resourcefulness, coupled with the support from YODEP and Save the Children, have given her hope for a brighter future. “This assistance has been a lifeline for us,” she said. “We are determined to rebuild and thrive despite the challenges.”
Mary’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the impact of timely support. With her determination and the resources she received, she is paving the way for a more secure and prosperous year ahead for her family.
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