From No Shelter to a Solar-Powered Iron-Sheet Roofed Home

The Dickson's: Such a happy family now.

Dickson Selemani and his wife, Mervis Dickson, reside with their child in Group Village Head Kumwinji, under Traditional Authority Nkapita in Zomba. As recipients of the Social Cash Transfer Programme, known locally as Mtukula Pakhomo, they faced challenges with food security and lacked adequate housing.

Although the couple possessed the skills to manufacture aluminium pots, their limited capital restricted their production and sales capacity. After joining a Savings and Loan Group and participating in Gender Transformative Approach sessions through the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) project, they began collaboratively planning their household finances and business ventures.

“We already had the skills to make pots, but we did not have sufficient funds to purchase materials and increase production,” Dickson explains.

Solar was installed for lighting.

The family subsequently received MK525,000 through SP-GEAR’s female-led enterprise support. Mervis and Dickson allocated part of these funds to their aluminium pot business and used another portion to establish an Airtel Money outlet, addressing the absence of a nearby agent in their village.

The family feeding their goats.

They also acquired three goats as an additional family asset. “We decided not to invest all the money in a single business. We diversified by investing in pot making, Airtel Money, and goats to ensure multiple income streams,” says Dickson.

Within the first month, their ventures generated MK750,000. As their businesses expanded, the family now earns a weekly income of at least MK450,000. The couple utilized part of this income to construct a brick house, roof it with iron sheets, and install solar-powered lighting.

“Prior to this support, we lacked proper shelter. We now have a brick house where we can safely reside with our child,” Dickson states. The income also enables them to purchase food, cover school expenses for their child, who is enrolled in nursery school, and support Dickson’s sister attending a boarding secondary school in Lilongwe.

They continue to save a portion of their profits through the Savings and Loan Group to receive a larger share-out and reinvest in their businesses.

The newly built house: Iron roofed and solar powered.

Mervis and Dickson now plan to acquire more goats, plaster their house, and purchase chairs. They also aim to buy a motorcycle to facilitate the transportation and sale of their pots in other areas, while also using it for a kabaza business.

“We want to continue saving and expanding our businesses. Our next goal is to enhance the house and acquire a motorcycle to reach more customers and generate additional income,” Dickson explains.

Under Output 2 of the SP-GEAR project, CRECCOM supports Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries, particularly women and girls, to strengthen their businesses, diversify income sources, and become more self-reliant. The project is funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland, with implementation coordinated through UNICEF Malawi.