Stories of Change

It has been over a year now since Cyclone Freddy made its destructive pass over Malawi. It has been a difficult year for those affected, living with such overwhelming loss – but there has been progress as well. We are encouraged by the signs of recovery, while we remain very aware of the ongoing risk of repeated weather-related disasters.  

Eagles Project Team - Chikwawa

As we approach the end of this assignment, our thoughts are occupied by the memories of the people we have met. What an amazing privilege to work alongside (in a small way and for a very short time) the passionate and committed individuals who selflessly dedicate their lives to others through their work in the humanitarian aid sector. Our Eagles and Word

Word Alive Project Team - Phalombe

Alive partners leave us inspired and humbled – what an experience to get to know them and to hear their stories.

And then there are those that live in the community and were affected by the tragic events caused by Cyclone Freddy. Those that were put in the terrible position of needing to rely on others to aid in their survival. There are so many stories of courage, perseverance, and inspiration there as well.

Here are some of their stories….

---

Rose Kandiado

Rose with her 5 Children - in front of the shop she was able to open with the help of a loan from her VSLA

Rose lives with her family in Masache village in the Chikwawa district of southern Malawi.  She is 27 years old, and became a widow two years ago after her husband’s death.  Her household of seven includes her grandmother, aged 57, and her five children: Ruth, Stella, Marita, Patience, and Precious. “My grandmother and I farmed sorghum and millet on our 2-acre plot, and we had our home garden of vegetables,” Rose says.  “This kept my family well and healthy.” She recalls the evening everything changed. “We endured hard rain and terrible winds for 3 days, and on that 3rd night, we heard the dreadful sound of rushing water. All my grandmother and I could do was rush my children out of our collapsing home, and secure their safety in the school,” Rose recounts.  “There was nothing left of our home or crops, but sediment from the floodwaters.” 

Rose and her family sheltered in the school for one month, along with many others in the area whose homes had been destroyed.  The Village Civil Protection Committee subsequently moved her family, along with over 300 other displaced families, to the Tiyanjane camp for another three months.  Rose and her family now live temporarily in a home that was generously offered to them by a member of their community who currently lives in the city of Blantyre. 

Stella and Patience were able to remain in school

“I am so grateful for the cash transfer that has been provided,” Rose says, “because I can buy the necessary food for my family.” I also place high value on my children’s education, and I have saved enough to keep them all in school, and to buy them important supplies.”                 

By investing some of the cash in a Village Saving and Loan Association, Rose has been able to take out a loan to open a home front shop selling beans, vegetables, and snacks.                      

“I have already made a small profit in my shop, and by doing piece work (casual labour) for others in neighbouring fields and gardens, I have been able to buy bricks to rebuild my home,” she proudly states.  “I will also save some cash from the last distribution, and will buy the remaining materials I need.  My new home should be complete in August of this year.” 

Rose and her grandmother cleared and worked their plot of land, preparing it for planting the millet and sorghum seed provided by the project. However, nature has unexpectantly deviated from course once again. Southern Malawi finds itself in the grip of El Niño, and is experiencing an extended dry spell during what should be the rainy season. Regrettably, this will result in reduced yields for Rose’s harvest.

“My grandmother and I will not harvest much this planting season,” Rose says, “but we still look forward to the winter season crops that are being provided. We both work hard to care for our farm, and I trust that we will have a harvest for our family once again. We also realize how important it is to belong to a Village Saving and Loan Association because soon we will benefit with having some goats of our own.”

Some of the cash provided by the project was used to purchase bricks - which Rose will use to re-build her new home on this site. This location is at a higher elevation than her old home, and will be less prone to flooding.

When asked what her hopes and dreams are for the future, Rose replies with determination.  “With God’s blessing, I plan to grow my shop into a bigger business, and to continue to save.” My children are my priority, and if I work hard, provide for their education, and set a good example for them, they will have success in life.”

She concludes with a smile.  “May the Lord bless you, World Renew, and Eagles, and may He continue to bless me and my family.”

---

Felesta Lyford

We first met Felesta in 2022 - after Cyclone Ana had destroyed her home and farm - and she and her family were living in a displacement camp. In the two years following Cyclone Ana, Felesta worked hard, along side her sons, doing piece work for other farmers – harvesting millet and sorghum for food and income. She managed to save enough money to rebuild her home, and to purchase seeds for the following year’s crop, planting and harvesting millet on her own land. She also replaced her banana trees and planted a vegetable garden alongside her new home to supply her family with some of the produce, and to generate extra income by selling the surplus. She and her family were well on their way to recovery.

Now, in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy, Felesta confronts overwhelming loss once more. Her home, belongings, and farm – everything she had rebuilt - lay destroyed by flooding, sediment, and fierce winds.

The site of Felesta's former home - washed away by Cyclone Freddy

Felesta lives in Kambuzi village within the Chikwawa district, where she continues to care for her three orphaned grandchildren, Grace, Maxwell, and Thokozani, all of whom are now of school age. Her adult sons, Ledson and Hyfen, along with Hyfen’s wife Maria, and their two children, all reside on the same compound.

The rear wall of Felesta's temporary home - still showing damage from the flooding

“The flood waters once again came so quickly,” Felesta recalls, “that all I could do was warn my grandchildren to leave everything, and move as fast as they could through the rising water. Thankfully, my son Ledson helped all of us reach higher ground and safety. Now, all that remains of my home are a few bricks lying under the sand left behind by the water.”  Felesta is now living in Hyfen’s family home, which also sustained damage from the cyclone, and is currently under repairs.

“I am so thankful to be part of the project and to have received this cash,” Felesta says. “I can buy my family the essential food they need, and I can make decisions about buying other household necessities. I have also bought three ducks, five chickens, and a rooster,” she shares proudly. “They provide us with fresh eggs, and will soon reproduce and add more support for my household.”

Felesta has used a portion of the cash to continue paying the school fees so her grandchildren can remain in school. “I want my grandchildren to go to school because it is important that they receive an education,” she explains. “This will help them to be self-sufficient when they are grown.”

Felesta diligently worked her plot of land, and planted and cared for the rain fed cropping inputs she received through the project.  Yet nature’s unpredictability has had its way once more. Southern Malawi is experiencing the effects of El Niño, and this has resulted in a severe dry spell in what would normally be the rainy season.  Unfortunately, this means a compromised yield for her harvest. “I fear if the rains do not come soon, we will not have a harvest at all,” Felesta says, quietly, “but I pray to God, and I hope for the best. I continue to look to the future, when we will start winter cropping,” she smiles, “and I will plant and harvest again.”

Felesta with the fruit tree seedlings that she will plant in her home garden

The funds provided through the project have allowed Felesta to join a Village Savings and Loan Association that was recently formed in her village - the Tiwoloke Village Bank. This group will be provided with five goats as part of a pass-on program, and through reproduction, each member will eventually receive goats to start their own herd.  “I am grateful and happy to be part of a VSLA, and I have managed to put some of the cash into savings. I will save even more in the future, and soon I will be able to take out a loan to rebuild my home,” she states. “At some time, my family and I will also benefit from the goats that our VSLA will receive.”                      

Felesta affirms that her faith in God does not change. “I am still strong; that is God’s blessing to me, and even though we face hardships, He continues to bless me and my family.”

Felesta's story exemplifies her strength and perseverance to continue to provide for her family, even amidst repeated disasters.

Felesta with her two sons, her daughter-in-law, and two of her grand-children

---

Alefa Pinto

Alefa Pinto is 37, and lives with her family in Petromoro Village in the Phalombe district of southern Malawi. She is a single mother, and manages a household consisting of six individuals. This household includes her three children; Violet, aged 17, Trevor, aged 15, and Hannah, who is 9. Additionally, Alefa cares for her late sister’s son, Deveson, who is 15 years old, as well as her mother, Lydia James, aged 57.  Alefa also faces the additional challenges of living with a physical disability, and relies on a cane for walking assistance, and a custom built 3-wheel cycle that allows her to travel within the community.

Alefa describes the harrowing evening when the flood and landslide struck. “I was terrified when the floodwater rushed into my home. Then I heard the sound of a wall collapsing because the water also brought down large rocks and mud from the mountain.” She gratefully acknowledges her mother, Lydia, indicating the house across the compound. "My mother heard the crashing sound and rushed over to help rescue me and my children.”

Alefa and her daughter Hannah - in front of her mother's home

Alefa sought refuge with her children in a nearby school for over 2 months.  While her mother’s residence also suffered damage, it fortunately remained intact.  Following repairs, Alefa and her children have since moved in to Lydia’s home.  Her church has contributed bricks for her home's reconstruction, and by setting aside some of the funds which have been provided through the project, she has been able to start re-building.

Alefa still remembers the day, as an active young girl at the tender age of 10 - and without warning - she suddenly collapsed to the ground. She was rushed to the hospital, but when she returned home, she was left with permanent structural joint impairments.  “It has been difficult for me sometimes,” she shares, “but I do not face any discrimination, in fact, my community is very supportive. I always thank my mother for her help. I am still able to walk, I am active, and I keep very busy with caring for my family, farming, and community activities.”

Stating that she is very busy is somewhat of an understatement. Alefa is the Chair of the Area Civil Protection Committee (ACPC) – a position that carries a great amount of responsibility.   

Alefa uses this custom designed cycle to travel for her ACPC Chairperson responsibilities

ACPCs are groups charged with disaster risk management for a large geographical area, and for overseeing and coordinating the activities of similar groups at the village level. Alefa’s responsibilities include involvement in a wide range of practical activities, such as tree planting, capacity building, warning message dissemination, provision of advisories to people in flood-prone areas, and search and rescue.  “I enjoy the training, and I like the work I do for communities - it is good work,” Alefa explains.  “The communities I work in are always happy to learn and practise the activities we bring to them, and they enjoy discovering some of their own solutions, especially for Disaster Risk Management.”

“I am so thankful for the cash provided through World Renew and Word Alive,” Alefa says. “It has allowed me to buy the necessary food for my family. I have saved enough funds to keep my children in school and to buy them notebooks for their work. I continue to save to purchase cement mortar to complete the rebuilding of my home.”

Alefa and her family have started the long process of rebuilding their home.

Alefa has diligently planted the seeds and plants she received, but nature’s unpredictable course has disrupted plans one again. Due to El Niño, southern Malawi is experiencing a dry spell during what should be the rainy season - impacting crops and compromising yields. “I am able to water a portion of my maize crop and vegetables by hand, using water from our borehole (community well), so I will still get some yield from my maize field and garden crops. I look forward to the future, because I also intend to save enough money to rebuild my goat herd, which was lost in the landslide,” Alefa says. She adds, “I continue to pray for rain, and I have faith in God. He hears all prayers, so I remain hopeful.”  Alefa finishes with a smile. “May God bless you, and God bless World Renew and Word Alive.”

Alefa’s courage is truly inspiring. She faces so many challenges – from natural disasters, to physical disabilities, to supporting her family as a single mother. But she is a survivor. Through all of this, she has assumed a position of great importance within her community, and maintains her focus on her faith, her family, and her community.

---

Mary Kachingwe

Mary Kachingwe is from Mchenga Village, in the district of Phalombe, southern Malawi. She is 32 years old, and is married to Evans Poloma.  They have 3 children, Praise, 13 years old, Beatrice who is 9, and Patricia, 3 years of age.  They farm their plot of land, where they plant and harvest maize, and they do piece work (day labour) in the fields of neighbouring farmers to buy extra food, and other household necessities at the market.

“We had a good life, and no real problems,” Mary says, “and we had everything we needed to provide for our family.”  Until the cyclone arrived…

Rocks and mud slid down from the mountain in the background - destroying everything in its path

Mary recounts how their peaceful, quiet life changed. “It had rained very hard for three days, and as evening approached on March 14th, we saw the clouds become very dark; too dark, and the wind became even stronger,” Mary explains. “Then we heard a terrible noise coming from the mountain above our village. It sounded like an earthquake, and we saw water, rocks, and mud coming towards us. I told Praise to run, and Evans and I frantically grabbed our two girls, and carried them to safety. Some people tried to go back to get some of their household items”, she recalls painfully, “and they lost their lives.”    

Up to 2 meters of debris surround this partially remaining shop

She and her family found shelter one kilometre away with friends who had opened their home to seven other families.  They have since moved into Evans’ ancestral home, on a compound with his extended family. In the aftermath, over 200 homes were lost in the villages of Mchenga, William, and Mweta that night, resulting in 81 fatalities, with 14 individuals still unaccounted for.                                                                                         

Mary & Evans stand on the site of their former home.

“We are very grateful to be supported by this project - the cash provided has helped me to buy the food I need for my family,” Mary says. “I am also thankful that I can continue to pay the fees to keep my children in school. My passion is that my children receive an education.”

Mary and her husband worked tirelessly to ready their plot of land, diligently planting the seeds and tending to the crops provided by the project. However, nature took an unexpected turn once more. Southern Malawi is currently facing the effects of El Niño, causing an unusual dry spell during what should be the rainy season. Regrettably, this will lead to a diminished yield for Mary's harvest. “We were so thankful to be planting on our farm again, and we were excited to have crops to harvest, but if our field does not get some rain, I think we may not see a harvest,” she shares.  “But we still give thanks for what we do have, because without this support, we would not have the food we need to survive.

What are Mary’s hopes, dreams, and plans for the future? “Evans and I work hard helping other farmers with their harvest.  It provides us with income, and we will continue to do this work,” Mary says.  “We will buy and plant the maize seed we need to support our family, and save enough money to rebuild our home. It may take some time, but I believe we have the strength to do so.” she firmly states.  “We also want our children to continue their schooling, so they can support themselves well when they are older.” 

“I have faith, and I know God is with us, so I believe this is possible,” she adds.

Mary & Evans with children Beatrice & Patricia – on the porch of their temporary home