It is one of life’s cruelest ironies that people in some countries can die from too much food, while in much of the world, others die from too little. This is particularly true of Malawi, which is not blessed with the lush, verdant soils of the Congo, and has never been the breadbasket of Africa that nearby Zimbabwe once was.
The farmers of Malawi have always scrubbed out a living from the depleted soil of their Motherland, dependent on the kindness of the rainy season for the success or failure of their harvests. However, as the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the weather conditions during the growing season in Malawi have become more unpredictable and the lives of subsistence farmers in Malawi have become more difficult than ever.
Because of this, Villages in Partnership has invested in large scale solar irrigation technology for Malawian farmers. The second site, completed in 2020, provided a dependable water source for over 70 farmers and their families. This will allow the villagers we partner with to become less dependent on the weather for the success of their harvests. We are moving towards the day when every farmer in Malawi will become self-sufficient.
In addition to our investment in solar irrigation, VIP supplies hundreds of farmers with improved seed varieties and fertilizers that provide increased crop yields and a buffer against future droughts. VIP also distributes livestock—primarily goats and chickens—to hundreds of vulnerable families. In turn, this livestock provides eggs, meat, and a source of much-needed income.
One thing that makes VIP unique is our commitment to local leadership. We do not choose which families receive livestock. That responsibility rests with the Village Implementation Committees (VICs), groups of villagers elected by their community to work alongside VIP staff and manage the ongoing success of our initiatives.
Our other Areas of Development: