MALAWI: Scottish Government Applauds CADECOM’s Initiatives
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| Joana Keating, Head of International Development for External Affairs Directorate in Scottish Government |
Head of
International Development for the External Affairs Directorate in the Scottish
Government, Joana Keating has commended the Catholic Development Commission in
Malawi (CADECOM), a relief and development arm of the Episcopal Conference of
Malawi (ECM) for reaching out to vulnerable people in the rural areas through
its interventions.
International Development for the External Affairs Directorate in the Scottish
Government, Joana Keating has commended the Catholic Development Commission in
Malawi (CADECOM), a relief and development arm of the Episcopal Conference of
Malawi (ECM) for reaching out to vulnerable people in the rural areas through
its interventions.
Keating was
speaking at Mapira Village, Chimutu in Lilongwe where she visited and
appreciated interventions undertaken by CADECOM through its ‘Women
Access to Markets and Adaptation to Climate Change Project’ which is
funded by the Scottish government through OXFAM.
speaking at Mapira Village, Chimutu in Lilongwe where she visited and
appreciated interventions undertaken by CADECOM through its ‘Women
Access to Markets and Adaptation to Climate Change Project’ which is
funded by the Scottish government through OXFAM.
Keating said
she was impressed with the way the project is being implemented particularly
noting that it is transforming people’s lives especially women.
she was impressed with the way the project is being implemented particularly
noting that it is transforming people’s lives especially women.
“I am
impressed with what you are doing in this community. I would like to encourage
you that you continue doing this good work,” she said.
impressed with what you are doing in this community. I would like to encourage
you that you continue doing this good work,” she said.
OXFAM
Country Director, John Makina commended CADECOM for working to the expectation
of his organization and the Scottish government as a donor partner.
Country Director, John Makina commended CADECOM for working to the expectation
of his organization and the Scottish government as a donor partner.
He said the
services rendered by CADECOM are crucial in transforming the livelihood of
vulnerable Malawians.
services rendered by CADECOM are crucial in transforming the livelihood of
vulnerable Malawians.
During the
visit, Keating alongside OXFAM officials appreciated interventions under the
Village Savings and Loans, Soy Production, Small Scale Agro processing,
Capacity Building on Access to Markets Concept and Climate Change Adaptation
measures.
visit, Keating alongside OXFAM officials appreciated interventions under the
Village Savings and Loans, Soy Production, Small Scale Agro processing,
Capacity Building on Access to Markets Concept and Climate Change Adaptation
measures.
Azilei
Shumba,a soy farmer said the project has benefited her a lot because she is
able to access all basic necessities out of farming.
Shumba,a soy farmer said the project has benefited her a lot because she is
able to access all basic necessities out of farming.
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| Joana Keating touring soy farm |
“CADECOM
provided us with startup soy of Nasoko variety through our clubs and this is on
a pass on scheme. We were also oriented on the attributes of this variety, for
instance its high market value and resistance to drought,” she said as Keating
alongside officials from OXFAM toured her Soy garden.
provided us with startup soy of Nasoko variety through our clubs and this is on
a pass on scheme. We were also oriented on the attributes of this variety, for
instance its high market value and resistance to drought,” she said as Keating
alongside officials from OXFAM toured her Soy garden.
She said she
anticipate to harvest 20 bags of soy from her one and half hectors of land and
later sell them thereafter use the money to purchase Iron sheets and some pay
school fees for her children.
anticipate to harvest 20 bags of soy from her one and half hectors of land and
later sell them thereafter use the money to purchase Iron sheets and some pay
school fees for her children.
CADECOM’s
Project Officer, Chimwemwe Phiri said communities around group village headman
Mapira have also been trained in small scale processing of soy seed so as to
ensure high returns as well as increase the nutritive value of the seed.
Project Officer, Chimwemwe Phiri said communities around group village headman
Mapira have also been trained in small scale processing of soy seed so as to
ensure high returns as well as increase the nutritive value of the seed.
“Through the
community based training and exchange visits, farmers have been equipped with
knowledge to process coffee, milk, doughnuts and other foods from soy. This has
greatly increased their household social-economic status as some are able to
sell these products locally while at the same time contributing to good
nutrition at household level due to the value addition,” said Phiri.
community based training and exchange visits, farmers have been equipped with
knowledge to process coffee, milk, doughnuts and other foods from soy. This has
greatly increased their household social-economic status as some are able to
sell these products locally while at the same time contributing to good
nutrition at household level due to the value addition,” said Phiri.
He said
throughout the program intervention, CADECOM ensures that issues of gender and
HIV are mainstreamed across.
throughout the program intervention, CADECOM ensures that issues of gender and
HIV are mainstreamed across.
Phiri said
communities have been oriented on the need to ensure that there are no gender
disparities during implementation and that both men and women are involved in
decision making.
communities have been oriented on the need to ensure that there are no gender
disparities during implementation and that both men and women are involved in
decision making.
The project
targets a total of 5,000 poor women from Traditional Authority Chimutu and
Masula in Lilongwe.
targets a total of 5,000 poor women from Traditional Authority Chimutu and
Masula in Lilongwe.
By Prince Henderson, ECM
Communications Officer
Communications Officer
