NOURISHING LIVES IN MALAWI

#motivationmonday

Gift of the Givers is proud to announce our initiative of the Community-based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) training which aims to empower eloquent farmers with the skills and knowledge in animal health to support their fellow farmers in times of need.With a shortage of veterinary officers and a growing number of livestock farmers, we believe in fostering self-sufficiency within our farming communities. These dedicated farmers, trained in both agriculture and animal health, will help in bridging the gap and ensuring that no farmer is left without essential care for their livestock. Together, we're building a network of support that strengthens our farming communities and prioritizes animal health.Mr Patrick Timvere, Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator for Nampeya Extension Planning Area, thanked the Gift of the Givers for the training support, stating that while the government wants to increase the number of Community-based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), there are always challenges in training them before they can begin their duties. But now, you have not only assisted us with training, but you have also donated the necessary drugs and equipment to ensure the success of this initiative.The training of the CAHWs is one of the steps of ensuring that the goat pass on project which Gift of the Givers is currently implementing in Machinga and Mangochi districts is a success.Help us build resilience in more farming communities by visiting:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference#forthegreatergood #31YearsofServingHumanity#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GiftoftheGivers

Recognizing the prevalence of food insecurity and the severity of food deficiency in poor areas throughout Malawi, one of our fundamental purposes is to contribute significantly and tirelessly to hunger alleviation. We continue to strategize as an organization beyond our standard basic food distribution activities through empowering communities and local farmers towards sustainable farming.Gift of the Givers works with the Department of Agriculture to implement lead farming training as one method of developing skills in modern farming methods among rural farmers. The programme intends to complement the government's efforts to build the capacity of Lead Farmers who will provide farmers with the mentoring and support required to adopt climate smart agriculture. This is to supplement the Extension Services provided by Department of Agriculture since the number of Extension Workers is much less than what is required to support all farmers.The first training was held in Mwanza EPA, with 10 lead farmers from two irrigation schemes participating. After the training, each lead farmer was assigned 20 farmers to share the knowledge with, mentor and support. This ensures that 200 farmers who were previously trained are supported to adopt climate smart agriculture.Together we can make a difference:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference#forthegreatergood #31YearsofServingHumanity #CycloneFreddy#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

Five months after Cyclone Freddy, Malawi's hunger situation is worsening by the day, with an estimated 4.4 million people facing moderate to severe food insecurity. The cost of staple foods such as maize has increased significantly, making it difficult for vulnerable families to eat even one nutritious meal a day.Fanny Lapukeni, 85, from Chiswe village in Chigumula, said life was terrible after losing everything in the cyclone. She said: “I rely on sand mining to be able to buy food, however, with my age I cannot carry more than ten buckets of sand from the river per day. The money I make from selling sand is insufficient for me to buy food on a daily basis; I often go to bed hungry, and when I manage to find food, I can only eat once a day."The Gift of the Givers Foundation supports the Enriching Lives Community Based Feeding Programme for the elderly and vulnerable. Twice a week, the most vulnerable people from the surrounding villages come to the centre for a meal. However, due to the current hunger situation, the centre is seeing more and more people. Bishop Kondwani Amosi, founder and director of the CBO, said: "We are now seeing people walking up to 10km to come here for a meal. Without the help of Gift of the Givers, we would not be able to feed any of them. We really appreciate this partnership.It was heartbreaking to see some eating half of their meal and putting the other half in a plastic bag to take home for those left behind. Because of this dire hunger situation, Gift of the Givers will be distributing take-home food packs to these elderly people to ensure they have something to eat at home.Together we can make a difference:🌐:http://www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #31YearsofServingHumanity #HungerAlleviation #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

The cost of basic food items has increased in recent months, and many families affected by the recent passage of Cyclone Freddy are struggling to provide even 1 meal a day. Gift of the Givers provides a monthly food parcel to 900 poor and vulnerable households in several communities in four districts. The food parcels have helped to protect these families from the current hunger crisis.Alex Kuchinyonga, a Zakat Food Distribution Committee member in Blantyre, said, "We are receiving people in our homes on a daily basis asking us to enroll them on the beneficiary list. It is heart breaking to see an old woman in tears requesting for assistance. It is our request that you continue to provide this food and add some individuals that are also experiencing the current hunger crisis; otherwise, lives could be lost." Kuchinyonga pleaded.The food parcels provided included 20kg of cream of maize meal, 5kg of Likuni Phala, 5 packets of soya pieces, 1kg of salt, a packet of tea bags, 3 tablets of soap, 2kg of sugar, 1 liter of cooking oil and canned fish.Together we can make a difference :🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #31YearsofServingHumanity #HungerAlleviation #FoodParcels #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

The Gift of the Givers Foundation donated a portable solar irrigation pump to the farmers of Chigonjeso Youth Club in Mwanza district. This was in response to the farmers’ plea, as they faced difficulties manually transporting water from a man-made dam to water their crops.More than 100 young members of the club depend on farming for their livelihood. However, without efficient irrigation methods, their crop yields had been disappointingly low. The traditional method of fetching water from the dam was labor-intensive and time-consuming.During the donation ceremony, Group Village Headwoman Chamwalira expressed her gratitude to Gift of the Givers for their continued support to the community. She emphasized the foundation's vital role in helping the youth undertake successful farming projects. She said, "I am proud to say that during the rain-fed cropping season, the youth in my area harvested a lot, and this was made possible by your organization's support; we do not take this for granted. Let me tell you that we will put to good use the much-anticipated pump you gave us today."Help us build resilience in more farming communities by visiting:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference#ForTheGreaterGood #31YearsofServingHumanity#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

Gift of the Givers Foundation has provided a solar pump to Chadzuka Irrigation Scheme at T/A Nsomba in Blantyre District to help farmers who were struggling to irrigate their crops. The scheme has 70 farmers who have been active and irrigating their land manually. Despite the irrigation challenge, they were able to benefit from the farm inputs Gift of the Givers have been supporting them with, many ensuring there is enough food in their homes and transforming their lives.

During the pump handover ceremony, Chairman for the Area Development Committee, Agnes Lozani commended the Gift of the Givers for the unwavering assistance which have been provided to the farmers adding that the help is assisting in reducing food insecurity in the area. The pump will assist the farmers irrigate their land much more easier, spending less time on this task and ensuring more farmers are able to irrigate their land.Help us build resilience in more farming communities by visiting:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference#forthegreatergood#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

Gift of the Givers has launched a livestock project to help vulnerable families in rural communities become self-sufficient. The project commenced by providing the chosen recipients with extensive training on goat husbandry and how to construct a contemporary kraal utilizing locally available resources.84 years Agnes Banda, one of the 45 people selected from T/A Chilipa in Mangochi district, expressed her delight; "Gift of the Givers has given me hope of having something to live for and call my own, I am an old woman with no proper source of income. In our community, livestock can only be purchased by a few affluent people, but now I feel privileged by the thought of owning my own goats."The project will benefit 90 underprivileged households in Mangochi and Machinga districts, with each family receiving 5 goats to raise and breed as part of their income generating activity.Together we can make a difference:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood#HungerAlleviation #AgricultureSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GiftoftheGivers

Farmers at Dickson irrigation scheme in T/A Kanduku in Mwanza district were left stranded when Cyclone Freddy washed away pipes and the structures supporting the pipes at scheme's intake on Mwanza River. This disrupted their source of income as over 100 smallholder farmers depend on this irrigation scheme for their food and income.Gift of the Givers rehabilitated the intake by replacing broken pipes and constructing strong pillars to hold the pipes. The farmers were also supported with seeds and fertilizer as part of the recovery program,. This timely support has enabled the farmers to cultivate for winter cropping and they have full hope of being food secure this year.Help us build resilience in more farming communities by visiting:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference#forthegreatergood#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GiftoftheGivers

Gift of the Givers were in attendance when the Minister of Agriculture, Honorable Sam Kawale visited Chimwalambangu Irrigation Scheme in Nsanje. The Hon Minister was on a tour of completed irrigation schemes to appreciate how farmers are utilizing them in Nsanje District. Chimwalambangu irrigation Scheme was developed by Malawi government and Gift of the Givers supported with the construction of secondary canals, training of farmers and provision of farm inputs for the first few seasons.The Hon Minister acknowledged the partnership between Gift of the Givers and Malawi government in combating food insecurity and buidnign resilience in disaster prone communities. GVH Mbangu explained that the farming families do not need food aid anymore as they are able to grow enough food for their families now.Help us build resilience in more farming communities in Malawi, visit:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference #forthegreatergood#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

Alice John of Nawanga village in Machinga District is an elderly woman who cares for her orphaned grandchildren. She couldn't disguise her joy after receiving a food pack from Gift of the Givers Foundation. She stated,"The monthly supply of food packs have restored my grandchildren's health because they now eat breakfast before going to school. Before they used to go to school on an empty stomach as I didn’t have enough food for them. We would often have 1 meal per day, but now we eat three meals per day owing to the timely intervention of Gift of the Givers."The monthly food pack distributions are intended to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable households enduring hunger because of climate change-related disasters and poverty. 322 households in Machinga district receive a monthly food pack containing; Cream of maize flour, Likuni Phala, soya pieces, salt, tea bags, laundry soap, sugar, cooking oil, and tinned fish.To contribute towards our projects please visit:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood#HungerAlleviation #FoodParcels #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

Winalesi Aligundiya, 90, of Misongwe village, T/A Ngabu in Chikwawa district, stated that meat costs between 4,000 and 5,000 Kwacha per kilogram. She cannot afford to buy meat as she depends on well wishers for her survival. She said; "I only had meat once this year, and that meat was also given to me by a well-wisher. I usually rely on well-wishers to give me money for food, and I cannot spend that money on meat instead of buying maize or candles to have light in my house at night."Many people like Winalesi are struggling to recover from Cyclone Freddy disaster and their focus is to have at least 1 meal a day, meat is a luxury they cannot afford. During the holy period of Eid Al Adha, Gift of the Givers reached out to nearly 4,000 families from Chikwawa, Mwanza, Balaka, Machinga, Neno, Blantyre, and Mangochi with 3 kgs of beef or goat meat.To contribute towards our projects please visit:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #HungerAlleviation #Qurbani2023 #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GiftoftheGivers

On the last day of Eid Al Adha celebrations, Gift of the Givers distributed meat packs to more than 1,500 households in Mangochi, Balaka and Chikwawa districts. We also reached out to N'gabu Hospital in Chikwawa and provided meat to patients in the general, maternity and paediatric wards.To contribute towards our projects please visit:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference #forthegreatergood #HungerAlleviation #Qurbani2023 #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

Over 80% of Malawi's export revenues come from the agricultural sector, which accounts for 30% of the country's GDP. However, climate change induced natural disasters have had a negative impact on this sector. Small-scale farmers are constantly suffering significant losses because of the damage that flooding has done to their irrigation schemes.Matabwa irrigation scheme, in Chikwawa district is one of the schemes which was damaged by the tropical storm Anna last year. The flooding water washed away all the pipes from the water intake for the scheme leaving the farmers without any means to irrigate their crops. Gift of the Givers rehabilitated Matabwa irrigation scheme, rebuilt the damaged intake using galvanized pipes and concrete piers, and renovated the damaged canals. Additionally, the farmers received farm inputs and training.Elena Nyalugwe, one of the farmers from the scheme had this to say, "We ran to the river during Cyclone Freddy to see if the intake that Gift of the Givers rehabilitated has been washed away. We were pleasantly surprised to find that all the pipes, piers, and weir were intact. We are happy to say that, thanks to Gift of the Givers, we have a reliable infrastructure for irrigation.’’Help us build resilience in more farming communities by visiting:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference#ForTheGreaterGood#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

Gift of the Givers foundation spent day 2 of the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid Al Adha distributing meat in various districts in Malawi. We slaughtered goats and cattle, and the meat was distributed to 1,500 families in Neno, Machinga and Mwanza Districts. Margaret Robert, 87 years old from Choseni in Mwanza District said, “This is the second time I will eat meat this year. With Cyclone Freddy destroying everything, having meat is a luxury we cannot afford. Thank you for always remembering us.”To contribute towards our projects please visit:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #HungerAlleviation #Qurbani2023 #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#CycloneFreddy

Families affected by Cyclone Freddy who received a return home pack which included farm inputs from the Gift of the Givers Foundation are singing praises. The crops they planted have successfully germinated and they are confident of food security this year despite the devastation they endured the past few months.Speaking during the crops monitoring visit, Group village headman Manase thanked Gift of the Giver for the timely donation, emphasizing that food security is one step toward a crime-free community.A total of 200 households from T/A Jenala in Phalombe district benefited from the intervention. Each family received two kilograms of maize seed, one kilogram of bean seed, four kilograms of potato vines, 100ml of pestcides, and 200ml of liquid fertilizer.Support more farmers through our agriculture projects by visiting:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference #forthegreatergood#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GiftoftheGivers

Gift of the Givers Foundation, in collaboration with One Nation and World Care Foundation, has begun its Qurban meat distributions for this year's Eid Al Adha. On day 1 we have distributed meat to over 1,000 Muslim and non-Muslim families in Blantyre rural. The distribution process, which is scheduled to end on Saturday, has prioritized the elderly, physically/mentally challenged, single mothers and underprivileged households.Six orphanages in Blantyre have also received enough meat to serve the children throughout the duration of Eid Al Adha.To contribute towards our Qurbani project please visit:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference#forthegreatergood #HungerAlleviation #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

To ensure that we provide meat to the most deserving families during this year's holy period of Eid Al Adha, we have registered over 3400 households and also pledged to provide meat to 6 orphanages across Malawi. Residents from T/A Kanduku in Mwanza district were filled with unmatched excitement stating that we have given them hope of getting meat for Eid"Thank you so much Gift of the Givers for always remembering us with gifts for Eid, I was worried on where to get money for meat for my family," stated 40-year-old Ireen Mawindo when we registered her name. Most of the time, I sell my farm products to buy meat for my family, but the cyclone washed away that hope along with everything I had cultivated. The fact that you registered our names to receive meat for Eid has given us hope because we know that whenever you register our names, you return to provide us what you promised."Together we can make a difference:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood#HungerAlleviation #Qurbani #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#ThursdayReflection

#ThrowbackThursday: Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Anna last year, Gift of the Givers ventured on a mission to assist affected people in becoming food secure. We distributed farm inputs for winter cropping to over 1,000 farmers in disaster-prone areas and conducted a proper follow-up through the government agriculture departments available in their local Extension Planning Areas. Each farmer received two kilograms of hybrid maize seeds, ten kilograms of NPK fertilizer, ten kilograms of UREA fertilizer, and pesticides. Farmers were also trained on various irrigation techniques, conservation tillage, and other modern farming methodologies.To ensure that the irrigation process is not disrupted due to water seepages, mainly caused by the damages of the water intakes from the main river to the irrigating canals, Gift of the Givers rehabilitated 4 irrigation schemes in 3 districts benefiting over 700 farmers.Harvest statistics revealed that farmers not only replenished their household food baskets, but also had the opportunity to sell some surplus of their harvest for profit. Each farmer earned an average of K133,409, with Blantyre rural farmers earning an average of K198, 584 from selling green maize.Support more farmers through our agriculture projects by visiting:🌐:https://giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference#forthegreatergood#HungerAlleviation #AgriculturalSupport #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GiftoftheGivers

As part of the preparations for this year's holy period of Eid Al Adha, Gift of the Givers Foundation has already begun assessing the animals to be shared during qurbani. So far, we have purchased 805 goats and 26 cows, which will be distributed to underprivileged families and orphanages in six districts.Together we can make a difference:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #makeadifference #forthegreatergood#HungerAlleviation #Qurbani #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less

#GIFTOFTHEGIVERS

As we approach the holy period of Eid Al Adha, we reflect on last year’s Qurbani project. We provided meat to over 5,000 families in Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Mangochi, Mwanza, Neno and Nsanje districts. A total of 1,588 shares of Qurbani were done of which 41 were cattle and 1,253 were goats.Most households in the vulnerable communities around Malawi cannot afford to spend money buying meat because they consider it a luxury. They would rather spend their money on basics like maize flour, other cheaper relish, farm supplies, and other basic needs. We, therefore, targeted rural communities struggling with poverty and food insecurity for our meat distribution. Each family received 3kg of meat.To join our interventions visit:🌐 : www.giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference📞 : +265 888 23 40 00#GiftoftheGivers #MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood#HungerAlleviation #Qurbani #Malawi ... See MoreSee Less