Story by Hsiu-lien Zhou, Ya-chi Yuan

Malawi, an African nation, ranks among the world's least developed countries, as per the United Nations, with approximately 55% of its population living below the poverty line. The situation is worsened by recurrent natural disasters, further challenging the lives of its citizens. Nevertheless, amidst these adversities, Malawians exhibit remarkable generosity and compassion.

Chikwawa Mobilization: 370 Farmers Cultivate 20 Hectares of Land

On January 6, 2024, Chief Godfrey Madukani led a farming team from Blantyre, traveling 60 kilometers (about 37.28 mi) south to Chikwawa, to support the local villagers in their farming project.

In Chikwawa, there are 11 small villages whose chiefs are grateful for Tzu Chi’s ongoing support since 2022. With the consensus of the villagers, 20 hectares of land were set aside for a farming project, aimed at "charitable care and self-reliance." Tzu Chi provided 500 kilograms (about 1,102 lbs) of maize seeds, 250 kilograms (about 551 lbs) of soybean seeds, 4500 kilograms (about 9920 lbs) each of fertilizer and urea, along with farming tools, empowering the villagers to cultivate the land. The harvest is dedicated to charitable causes, embodying the spirit of giving back to the community.

Chikwawa has a total population of 760 people, and 370 villagers, excluding children and the elderly, participated in the farming project. The land is about 10 kilometers (about 6.21 mi) from the villages, so the villagers took turns riding bicycles to work in the fields.

On April 15th, it was time for the corn harvest. The Blantyre Farming Team, consisting of 30 dedicated volunteers, once again journeyed south to Chikwawa to participate in the harvest. Within just three short days, over 200 person-times were mobilized for this effort. Together, they harvested 21 metric tons of corn, keeping only 5 tons for local charitable use in Chikwawa. The remaining 16 tons were generously donated back to Tzu Chi for further charitable initiatives.

Blantyre Farming Project: 50 Farmers, 7 Villages, 20 Hectares

A similar farming project was also implemented in Blantyre, where 50 farmers from 7 villages each cultivated about 0.5 to 1 hectare of land, totaling approximately 20 hectares. Tzu Chi provided 500 kilograms (about 1102 lbs) of maize seeds and 250 kilograms (about 551 lbs) of soybean seeds, aiming to help farmers achieve self-reliance.

Stella, 52 years old, joined Tzu Chi as a volunteer in 2019. She owns one hectare of land and received 10 kilograms of maize seeds from Tzu Chi in January. Insufficient rainfall due to the effects of La Niña, the harvest fell short of the expected 15 bags, yielding only 5 bags, each weighing 50 kilograms. Despite this, Stella still generously donated 2 bags, for charitable purposes.

Likewise, Annie, aged 60, joined as a volunteer in 2019 and owns 1.5 hectares of land. She managed to harvest 7 bags of maize, each weighing 50 kilograms, and generously donated 2 bags. When a volunteer inquired how they would cope after giving away their maize despite the meager harvest, both Stella and Annie expressed their gratitude: "We have plenty. Without Tzu Chi's seed assistance, we'd have nothing. We're thankful and eager to give back, to assist more people."

In total, villagers in Chikwawa and Blantyre have donated 21 tons of maize, of which 5 tons were from Blantyre. Even though the villagers have little, they are incredibly generous, always ready to help those who need it most. The love shown in Malawi is truly inspiring.