COMMONPLACE—Trees
By Mike Mataka:
In the flood-prone plains of Chikwawa District and the hilly terrains of Phalombe District, where natural disasters occur almost annually, a quiet revolution is taking place. What once were disaster zones are now becoming strongholds of resilience and hope, thanks to World Vision Malawi’s Integrated Resilience Project.
Since 2019, World Vision Malawi—with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Malawi—has been implementing the project in five traditional authorities (TAs) namely Maseya, Ngabu, Ngowe, Katunga and Makhuwira in Chikwawa and also in Phalombe District.
The goal is simple but ambitious—empower communities to become self-reliant, reduce dependency on aid and build resilience through sustainable agricultural practices.
The project promotes various farming techniques, including conservation agriculture, crop diversification, climate-smart methods, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, agroforestry and efficient irrigation.
Additionally, post-harvest management and animal husbandry are promoted while beekeeping clubs and goat rearing have given families additional sources of income.
In Msomo Village, under TA Ngabu, in Chikwawa, Group Village Head (GVH) Nsoma says the story of his community has changed dramatically.
Once at the mercy of floods, his village is now reaping the benefits of reforestation and water conservation structures.
“Floods used to wash away everything—homes, crops, even people’s hope, but now, every household plants at least five trees a year, and we have introduced bylaws to protect them.” Msomo said.
The village has also shared tree seedlings with surrounding communities to ensure everyone is moving forward together. Trees are being planted in all the areas that are disaster-prone to reduce the impact.
LUPINGA—Trees blocked tree logs and debris
Loveness Lupinga from Chione Village, under the same TA, is one of the many people whose lives have been touched by the project.
When Cyclone Freddy struck in March 2023, her house and livestock were lost—but her life was spared.
“If it weren’t for the trees planted through this project, the water would have taken all of us. These trees blocked tree logs and debris. That’s what saved my children,” she said.
Now, she has vowed to plant more trees and care for them like her own children.
For Martha Stanley, another resident of Chione, the loss was painful—livestock, textbooks and children’s clothes were all washed away.
But she, too, is part of the new spirit of rebuilding.
