From Village Savings to Village Bosses

Manduweni Group members proudly stand in their thriving cabbage garden, showcasing the power of collective investment and teamwork through the SP-GEAR project.

What started as a simple village savings group in Chinombo Jere Village under T/A Mtwalo in Mzimba North has now become a growing symbol of determination, teamwork, and economic transformation.

The Manduweni Group, made up of 18 members (10 men and 8 women) was formed in December 2024 through support from Community-Based Trainers under the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) project.

At first, members focused on saving money and lending to one another for small household needs.

But after receiving training in business management and financial literacy, the group realized they could do far more than just “keep money in a box.”

Inspired by the training, each member contributed MWK 10,000 to raise startup capital for a collective business venture.

Before long, the group had secured land for irrigation farming and planted cabbage on a quarter-acre field; a move that would completely change their outlook on life.

Today, the group is proudly harvesting both cabbages and confidence.

Their first cabbage sales generated MWK 480,000, which they reinvested into piggery and expanded farming activities.

The group now owns six pigs and has increased its farmland to half an acre, with plans to become a large-scale farming enterprise in the future.

A healthy cabbage field cultivated by the Manduweni Group in Mzimba North as part of their growing livelihood enterprise under SP-GEAR.

Chairperson Lakiness Moyo says the journey has shown members the power of working together.

“At first, some people thought we were just another village group that would collapse after a few meetings,” she said with a laugh.

“Now when people see our pigs and cabbage field, they know we are serious business people. We have moved from discussing problems to discussing profits.”

Lakiness added that the SP-GEAR project has not only strengthened the group financially but has also changed members’ mindsets, giving them confidence to invest, plan ahead, and support their households with dignity.

The SP-GEAR project is funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland through UNICEF; and CRECCOM is supporting implementation of the project in Mzimba and Zomba districts.