Chaplain (in white T-shirt) hands over piglets to Nachipere members during a symbolic presentation.
Chipembere Community Development Organization (CCDO) has distributed piglets to 10 members of the Nachipere Women Group under Traditional Authority Nchiramwela in Thyolo district, aiming to boost women’s economic independence and improve household livelihoods.
The initiative is part of CCDO’s livestock pass-on program, which targets 90 women by promoting sustainable animal farming as a tool for income generation and agricultural productivity.
CCDO Project Officer Sandrina Chaplain said the intervention is designed to economically and socially uplift vulnerable women in rural communities.
“As an organization, we recognize the importance of supporting women with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Through these pigs, we hope to not only raise their income levels but also improve agricultural output particularly through the use of organic manure,” Chaplain said.
She also emphasized the program’s role in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) by strengthening women’s financial independence.
“Many women suffer abuse simply because they lack financial independence. By equipping them with the means to generate income, we are also helping to reduce cases of GBV in these communities,” she added.
Nachipere Women Group, which also manages a Community-Based Childcare Centre (CBCC), welcomed the support. Group Secretary Teleza Soloma said the pigs would benefit both their households and the children under their care.
“When the pigs reproduce, we will pass on the piglets so that all members benefit. The manure will be used in our gardens, and we can also sell some pigs to support the children at the CBCC,” Soloma explained.
To ensure proper animal care, CCDO has constructed a hygienic piggery shelter for the group.
In addition to Nachipere Women Group, the project has also supported a youth club in Traditional Authority Bvumbwe and to communities under Group Village Head Kalilima in Mulanje District.
These piglets are part of a community-driven livestock initiative to empower women economically and enhance soil fertility through organic farming