In a quest to mitigate the threat of poverty and hunger, a Chikwawa-based organisation operating under the name Community Focus (COFO) has launched a visionary project called “Invest for Change”, a project that, among others, is empowering women through livestock farming.
COFO says it has invested over K17.2 million, purchasing livestock for female-led groups, an initiative it believes will empower the women economically.
The organisation’s executive director Joshua Malunga has told ProjectM in an interview that through the initiative, a lot of women will be provided with economic opportunities.
“This initiative is not only providing economic opportunities for them, but also fostering a sense of community and independence amongst the women,” said Malunga.
He said currently, the organisation has already supported a Chinangwa Village women group with 50 goats, an investment which is already working wonders.
“Already, some of the women who have children in school are using profits made from this venture to support their children’s education,” said Malunga.
Malunga has since indicated that going forward, the organisation hopes to turn Chikwawa district women into one of the country’s leading suppliers of high-quality meat products.
“We also want women here to gain a sense of financial independence,” he added.
Chinangwa Village group chairperson Margaret Mzengeza has since thanked COFO for launching the project, saying it has transformed their lives.
“We are now financially independent and we are no longer dependent on government handouts like it has been the case in the past,” said Mzengeza.
