Empowering Women in rural Ekwendeni

Towera Chavula, 58, is a shining example of the transformative power of the Women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) established by EHAP. After joining the Ng'ongo SHG in 2019, Towera utilized a MK40,000 loan to launch a successful pig and banana farming business. Today, she owns 10 pigs and over 600 banana plants. Her journey illustrates how SHGs, empower women to achieve financial independence and uplift their communities in rural and underserved communities

Towera posing in her banana field

Towera Chavula, a 58-year-old woman, a member of the Ng'ongo Center Women's Self-Help Group in the Ng'ongo area, has experienced significant improvement compared to her past struggles before joining the women's self-help group in 2019. Towera is delighted to have found success through her pig and banana farming endeavors. "I am thrilled that my pig and banana farming ventures are flourishing," Towera exclaims. "In 2022, I took out a MK40, 000 loan and decided to invest in pig and banana farming. With it, I purchased one female pig for MK15, 000, five banana suckers for MK1,000, and allocated the remaining MK24, 000 towards purchasing school supplies and contributing to my grandchild's standard 5 school development fund.” “Six months later the Pigs gave birth to 11 piglets out of which, after raising them, I sold 7 piglets and realized a profit K146, 000,” she continues. I utilized the income to purchase 200-litters drums for water storage enabling me to irrigate my banana suckers during the dry season.”  “Meanwhile my banana plantation is doing well such that I have already started selling them. I started with 5 banana suckers but now I have over 600 banana suckers,” Towera proudly shares.  I’m optimistic that soon I will start earning huge returns out of this business, I have good and promising markets in Mzuzu and Ekwendeni. The type of bananas are one of the best banana varieties you’ll ever find out there.” Excitedly narrated Towera. I am eternally grateful to EHAP for their unwavering mentorship, both to me and my fellow SHG women. In addition to consistent guidance, EHAP has generously offered us training sessions in various essential areas such as food processing, business diversification, bookkeeping, costing and pricing, as well as goal setting over the past years. These invaluable opportunities have played a crucial role in empowering me to achieve the success I have reached today. “My Pig farming business is also thriving and I now have 10 pigs, 3 big ones and 7 small ones.” I plan to operate my business at a high scale so that I will be able to fulfill my dream of renovating and plastering my house with cement.” Explained Towera during a visit to her pig and banana farms.