How Integrated ECD services Support Transformation of CBCC
At Chimwanjiwa CBCC, their journey began with a support of 2 kilograms of maize seeds, 10 kilograms of fertiliser (both basal and top dressing), and a training on how to make compost fertilizer called Mbeya. Previously, the center relied heavily on external food donations, and community contribution which were often unpredictable. Meals for the children were limited, and hunger was a constant challenge.
Everything changed when the ECD center received support in the form of farm inputs (maize seeds and fertiliser), alongside hands-on training in sustainable farming practices, particularly compost manure production and usage from Anglican Council in Malawi with funding from World Vision. With this knowledge, caregivers and Centre management committee members turned the CBCC’s small garden into a thriving source of fresh food.
Just a few months after planting, the fields were full of healthy maize and healthy pumpkins. The first harvest brought joy and relief as the CBCC began using the produce to prepare daily nutritious meals for the children. Today, the center is not only food secure, but also proudly to be self-reliant. The children enjoy meals made from their own harvest, improving their concentration during learning activities.
Sharing the Load: How Alfred Became a Champion for Positive Parenting
Alfred Dunken, 25, is a push bike business operator and farmer from Mulanje, Malawi, and a member of the
Tikondane caregivers group. Before joining the MtM project, Alfred thought household responsibilities and
childcare were solely his wife’s duties.
Through the Male Champion training, Alfred realized the importance of shared parenting and teamwork in
marriage. “I used to make all the decisions, but now I know that two heads are better than one,” he shares. He
now supports his wife, who works at Sayama Tea Estate, and actively participates in caregiving and a savings
group with her.
Alfred’s new approach has strengthened his family and inspired other men in his community to embrace
positive parenting. “At first, people laughed at me, but now they see the benefits of sharing responsibilities
and working as a team.”
“Thank you, MtM! You have changed me,” Alfred says proudly.
Merytina’s Mission: Promoting Early Childhood Development and Positive Parenting in Mulanje”
Merytina Zaone, 49, is a dedicated Early Childhood Development (ECD) promoter with the Tiakonde MtM
Project in Mulanje, Malawi. Working with pregnant women and caregivers of children under three, she
conducts home visits, caregiver group sessions, and supports savings with education groups.
Before MtM, many caregivers in her community relied on punishment over discipline, women missed
antenatal care, and men were not engaged in parenting. Through MtM training, Merytina gained skills that
have made her a catalyst for positive change, helping her promote better parenting practices and male
involvement in childcare.
Equipped with a bicycle to improve her mobility, Merytina makes regular visits to monitor child progress and
provide tailored support. She also received data management training and a tablet to ease her reporting
duties. Additionally, her monthly stipend helps support her household.
Having served as a volunteer for 11 years, Merytina calls her time with MtM her most rewarding experience. “I
love seeing children raised well and male caregivers actively involved in parenting,” she says.
ALICE MALIKWETE – EMPOWERING HER FAMILY THROUGH SAVINGS AND BUSINESS
Alice Malikwete, a 35-year-old caregiver from Kaduya, Phalombe, is a shining example of how economic empowerment can transform lives. As a participant Chiyanjano (meaning unity) SWE group supported by the Moments that Matter Project, Alice took a bold step toward financial independence.
Before joining the savings with education group, Alice struggled to meet the daily needs of her family, especially caring for her young child under three years old. Limited financial resources meant difficulty in providing nutritious food, healthcare, and other essentials. However, everything changed when she became an active member of the savings with education group in her community.
Through the group, Alice borrowed K60,000 to start a small business selling tomatoes and other food items at the local market. With careful planning and dedication, her business began to grow. She reinvested her profits to expand her stock henceforth increasing her income. Her current income is K305,000 realized from her business.
The impact of her business has been life-changing. With a stable income, Alice can now provide a balanced diet for her child, ensuring healthy growth and development. She has also been able to afford medical check-ups and early childhood learning materials. Most importantly, she no longer worries about financial instability affecting her child’s well-being.
“I never imagined that I could run a business and take care of my child so well. The savings with education group changed my life, and I am forever grateful,” she says with a smile.
Her story serves as a motivation to many, proving that with the right support, determination, and financial inclusion, caregivers can break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for their children
Lezina John’s Journey of Transformation Through Savings and Faith
Lezina John, 57, from Dambe Village in Mchinji, joined the Talandira Savings Group under the HOPE Malawi project in June 2023. Motivated by the group’s prayerful foundation, she overcame financial struggles that once made it difficult to support her family or participate in church activities.
Through three small loans, Lezina began farming groundnuts and maize and started pig farming, saving MK163,000 in her first cycle. This led to a steady income, better meals, and improved education for her children. She now also runs a tomato-selling business and lends money to others in her community.
Her personal growth has inspired others in her church and village. With plans to buy land, improve her home, and expand into soybean farming and rental housing, Lezina calls her time with the program life-changing.
“I thank God I now have a stable income and can help my family and community,” she says with pride.
Lukia Wilson: A Journey of Faith, Healing, and Economic Empowerment
Lukia Wilson, 25, from Nthema Village in Mchinji, joined the Talandira Savings Group in June 2023 under the HOPE Malawi project. Struggling financially and spiritually, she joined the group seeking both economic support and spiritual growth. She used four small loans to start a Kaunjika (second-hand clothes) business and purchase food for her family.
Through the group’s fellowship and prayers, Lukia’s daughter—born unable to walk—began walking at age four, an experience Lukia calls a miracle. The group also helped her develop a prayerful life, improve household meals, pay school fees, raise livestock, and even see a change in her husband’s behavior.
She saved MK300,000 in her last cycle and now plans to rent more land, expand her business, and eventually build rental houses. Lukia, formerly from a devout Muslim background, is now an active Christian and a testimony to spiritual and personal transformation.
“This group gave me a miracle and changed my life. I will never leave it,” she says.
Restoring Hope: How Early Support Helped Precious Thrive Against the Odds
In a midst of adversity there is a heartwarming story of Rose Madeya, a caregiver aged 29 from Mkuwa Village TA Kaledzera, Phalombe District. Her son, Precious now 21 months who has cerebral palsy, was not able to sit, lay down and let alone speak. Through home visits, toddler group sessions and caregiver support and learning group sessions facilitated by ECD Promoter for the area Fanuel Napolo, there has been a significant change in Rose’s son, Precious
Fanuel has persistently conducted follow up door to door visit in order to access progress on the child’s developmental milestones. Precious can now play, sit and craw as expected and is learning to speak and this has significantly improved the quality of life for Rose and her Son. ‘‘I am thankful to Anglican Church and MtM project for training ECD Promoters like Fanuel, who have in turn helped my son, I had no hope that one day my son will craw” said Rose.
ECD Promoter Fanuel and Rose, who is a primary caregiver are some of the beneficiaries of MtM project being implemented in the Diocese of Southern Malawi with funding from Episcopal Relief and Development.
“Building Together: How a United Community Restored Hope for Its Youngest Members”
In Mukhalala Village, under the Mpala project site, the under-five shelter was in disrepair, leaving children and caregivers without a safe space. The Moments That Matter (MtM) project rallied the community, including local leaders, faith leaders, ECD promoters, and healthcare professionals, to rehabilitate the shelter and improve outcomes for young children.
Despite a lack of resources, the community gathered bricks and sand. The MtM/Tiakonde team raised K600,000 from the community to buy necessary materials and pay workers. Community members contributed voluntary labor, sand, bricks, water, and finances, with local leaders mobilizing support.
The rehabilitation transformed the shelter, now with secure walls, floors, doors, and windows, providing a safe space for over 200 children under five. This project not only improved healthcare access but also created a nurturing environment for children and caregivers during CG & SLC sessions.
Beyond the physical structure, the project fostered a strong sense of community ownership. Healthcare workers noted better clinic attendance, as parents felt reassured about their children’s care. Amos Mkwezalamba, a Health Surveillance Assistant, shared, “The MtM project showed us the power of unity. With limited resources, we achieved something remarkable that will positively impact our children’s health.”
This success story highlights how community collaboration can drive sustainable change, improving healthcare access and creating lasting impacts for future generations.
Faith, Family, and Finance: Esther Kalire’s Path to Empowerment Through the Talandira Group”
Esther Kalire, a 38-year-old woman from Dama Village, TA Dambe, Kapiri in Mchinji District, Malawi, has experienced remarkable personal, spiritual, and economic growth through her participation in the Talandira savings group, which she joined on June 29, 2023.
Before joining the group, Esther struggled to secure capital for her business and remained idle at home. Her involvement in the savings ministry transformed her life. She took out four loans and saved MK130,000 in one cycle. This enabled her to buy fertilizer, harvest 41 bags of maize (selling 11), and start a Kaunjika (secondhand clothes) business. Additionally, she bought chickens, contributing to family nutrition and income.
The impact extended beyond finances. Spiritually, she became more prayerful, active in church, and involved in serving and preaching through Discovery Bible Studies (DBS). Her family and community have also benefited—her children started their own Kaunjika businesses, her husband appreciates her contribution, and more church members are now interested in joining the savings group.
Esther’s future plans include deepening her spiritual life, growing her business and farming ventures, and encouraging wider participation in savings ministries, especially within her Anglican community. She envisions spiritual and economic transformation for her family, church, and community.
Year round backyard garden adoption
Dyson M’meza aged 44 of Chibisa village, GVH Tamani a project participants for Foundation for Farming, a project being implemented by Anglican council in Malawi with assistance from Hope International ministries in TA Jenala, Phalombe district. Dyson is one of the farmers who was not practicing backyard gardening at his household. Through Foundation for farming Dyson learned the importance of consuming six food groups in the family diet and a need of having a backyard garden at his house throughout the year so that they can easily access vegetables.
At their group, Dyson and 24 other farmers learned how to establish and manage backyard gardens to provide vegetables for their family and even generate income through selling of surplus. They produce vegetables of their choice like egg plants, Chinese cabbage, okra, mustard and sweet potatoes (leaves/kholowa)
“The backyard garden have help to reduce expenditure on buying vegetables from the market, time spent to access vegetables have also reduced as we have them within the compound and we are selling surplus from production to meet other household needs,” said Dyson M’meza, one of the participants doing backyard gardening.
“The vegetables are complimenting to other food groups we consume to meet the required six food groups in our household, and we are reducing the health risk associated with consumption of vegetables from the market that are produced with heavy use of pesticides” He added with a smile on his face .
Testimonials
Alinafe Mwangata, a 19-year-old single mother from Misyon village in Mulanje, has found a new sense of confidence and purpose through the Tiakonde project. As a second-cycle caregiver, Alinafe has gained important knowledge and skills that have transformed her approach to parenting her 14-month-old son.
Through MtM/Tiakonde project, Alinafe has learned about good parenting practices, including the importance of nutrition, developmental milestones, and play-based learning. Her son is now thriving, playing with other children, and reaching important milestones. Alinafe’s grandparents are actively involved in childcare, supporting her and practicing the skills they’ve learned from the project.
Alinafe’s understanding of nutrition has improved significantly, and she has applied this knowledge to provide her child with healthy meals. Cooking demonstrations have been particularly helpful, enabling her to prepare nutritious food for her family.
Alinafe attributes her growth as a confident mother to the Tiakonde project. She says, “I have learned a lot on how I can positively take good care of my child.” The project’s impact is evident in Alinafe’s ability to provide a nurturing environment for her son, setting him up for a bright future.
The Tiakonde project has made a difference in Alinafe’s life, equipping her with the knowledge, skills, and support she needs to be a great parent. By empowering young mothers like Alinafe, Tiakonde is building a community of confident, capable caregivers who can provide the best possible start in life for their children
Testimonials
Dorica Mastoni, a 35-year-old mother of three from Kambali village, has transformed her life through the Tiakonde project. Previously, she felt stuck and unproductive, but with the project’s support, Dorica has become a thriving entrepreneur.
Dorica borrowed money from the Savings with Education (SWE) and started a business selling essential goods like cooking oil, groundnuts, salt, and roasted fish. Her business flourished, and she grew her initial investment of K100, 000 to an impressive K300, 000.
She has invested in brick making as she is planning to build a brick-fenced house, bought four chickens to diversify her source of income and enhancing her family’s food security. Her future plan is to expand her livestock business through goat production.
Dorica is grateful for Tiakonde project’s impact on her life, which has enabled her to become a confident entrepreneur and a provider for her family’s needs.
Testimonials
“Daima Ali aged 36, is one of our caregiver a mother of 9 months old Abdul Daniel comes from mindumu village in GVH kadango 1.
From the time she was enrolled in MTM project as she has gained new knowledge in different areas and this has helped her to establish a backyard garden a thing she never practiced ever before.
Daima, planted sweet potatoes in her backyard garden, and through her participation in cooking demonstration, she is able to process the sweet potato unto porridge to feed her child which she is very happy with as her life is at peace. Previously before she joined in MTM Program she was struggling to support her child with nutritious food as she was depending on maize only which was also very scares.
By having this backyard garden Daima is expressing her gratitude for she is managing to support her baby without walking very far to search for food for she is able to get it within her home.