Mission Moments: Malawi

A chicken in every widow’s pot

Mrs. Namithala brought chickens to be shared with other widows. (Photos by Damson Samson)

The chicken project Climbing For Christ staff member Damson Samson started with the widows he has been serving in southern Malawi continued recently with the exchange of 58 chickens. A group village head said the “chickens are hidden treasures,” resulting in the poorest of the poor having a resource to buy some basic needs. “Some who might care well for these (chickens) can easily buy fertilizer,” the village leader said.

Heat has made keeping the chickens alive and healthy a challenge.

The blessing of chickens.

Weather also continues to have an adverse effect on farming. Damson said the widows were able to produce enough soya beans (US $270 worth) to purchase four sewing machines to start sewing centers in their various villages. He said they are hoping to add another dozen sewing machines.

“We were looking at this to say it might help in poverty reduction among the widows out in the community,” Damson said. “Widows would be able to have their clothes sewn for free and every (other person from outside the widow community) would be paying a little money for sewing.”

Additionally, Damson collected 13 bags of maize (above) from the villages. He hopes to use as seed for this year’s growing season.

We will visit widows and discuss the many projects Damson is working on during Mission: Malawi 2018 later this month (Aug. 17-28).