Women living with HIV in the area of traditional authority Kunthembwe in Blantyre are making ends meet through farming and are assisting their families through the Development Aid from People to People( Dapp) farming programme.
According to the women farmers, Dapp trained them in 2015 with the aim of improving living conditions within nutrition and general health and to increase income in their homes.
Gertrude Akileni is one of the women farmers and she said farming has improved her life and that there is no need to ask anything material from her husband as by selling her vegetables, she has money to buy herself other items.
“Gone are the days when I could ask my husband for money to buy soap or salt because by selling my vegetables in my garden I am able to buy all that myself,” explained Akileni.
Concurring with Akileni, Agness Banda from Tiyamike Farmers Club said she is able to dress her six children from her backyard garden and that her health has improved as they were taught to eat various nutritious foods that are locally available.
“I was so sick before this programme. I was waiting for my husband to give me everything but Dapp has taught me to be strong and work, this backyard garden is bringing cash in our home,” said Banda
The women were told to be in groups of 50 and in the groups they do various things including the local banking system popularly known as “bank Nkhonde”
Traditional authority Kunthembwe encouraged the women to continue working hard to continue improving their homes.
Dapp country director Lisbeth Thomson said is impressed with the work the women are doing to improve their livelihood.
The women were also taught to construct modern fire place that help in conserving the environment as it uses a little amount of firewood.
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