Tapiwa Phiri’s Mission to Improve Family Well-being by Diversifying Income

Temwa’s 2024 Strengthening Resilience For Vulnerable Households (SRVH) Project is a one-year initiative aimed at building climate resilience in rural Malawi. This project introduces ten cooperatives, five focusing on beekeeping and five on livestock rearing to enhance climate resilience in Nkhata Bay North, one of Malawi’s most remote and underserved regions. With much of the population reliant on farming and living on less than £1 a day, this area faces frequent climate-induced challenges such as droughts and floods, which can devastate crops, food supplies, and income sources. 

Through this project, Temwa equips community members with essential skills and materials to sustainably raise livestock and produce honey, providing new sources of income that can withstand the effects of extreme weather. Participants like Tapiwa Phiri, who lives in Kanjilama village and previously relied solely on banana farming, now see hope for improving family well-being by diversifying income.  

For Tapiwa, joining a livestock cooperative offers an opportunity to build financial security, provide a stable home, and ensure access to nutritious food year-round. The cooperatives are designed with a focus on inclusivity and equitable access, with 60% of members being women and 25% youth. Temwa provides resources such as piglets, materials for beehives, and technical training in honey production and sustainable livestock practices. 

These cooperatives are especially pressing as the country reels from the effects of the climate crises. This month, The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) begun delivering emergency food assistance to support Malawians impacted by the El Niño-fueled drought.  

Temwa’s SRVH project also extends to business training and helping cooperatives access larger markets for honey, beeswax, and other products. These income-generating activities reduce reliance on a single harvest season, making it easier for households to recover from climate-related losses. Temwa’s commitment to fostering sustainable development empowers these communities not only to support themselves but also to protect their natural resources, with efforts like strategic beehive placement to prevent deforestation. 

The SRVH project is an example of Temwa’s community-driven approach, which has enabled thousands of people like Tapiwa to achieve greater resilience and autonomy. By building the adaptive capacity of cooperatives, Temwa is helping these communities create a stable, self-reliant future amidst the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. 

“I am just very thankful for Temwa. The knowledge that’s being shared today will remain in this community for future generation.”  

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