Lackson Chakanika: Stitching a Better Future

Lackson smiles with quiet pride as he shares his journey, seated at the sewing machine that helped transform his family's life

When 61-year-old Lackson Chakanika from GVH Ndumba in Zomba received K206,000 through the Social Cash Transfer Program in December 2024, his priority was clear—put food on the table for his wife and six children. “I just wanted us to survive,” he recalls, reflecting on the hardships his family had endured.

But that plan shifted dramatically after his Village Savings and Loans (VSL) group, Girevulo, underwent a life-changing transformation. Through the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) project, implemented by CRECCOM with funding from the European Union, the Government of Ireland, and UNICEF, Lackson and his fellow group members were trained by Community-Based Trainer Justine Somanje to reimagine their financial goals. The training focused on resilience, empowerment, and practical ways to turn small amounts of money into sustainable livelihoods.

“It made me look at my cash transfer differently,” Lackson said. “Before the training, I thought the money was just to help us get by. But they helped me see it could be a foundation for something bigger.”

The training sparked a powerful memory—Lackson’s childhood fascination with tailoring. Though never formally trained, he had picked up sewing skills from friends years ago. Encouraged by the SP-GEAR sessions, he took a bold step: after purchasing basic household supplies, he used K150,000 of his cash transfer to buy a second-hand sewing machine.

That decision proved transformational.

Lackson running his tailoring business from home – Turning a skill into a sustainable source of income for his family

By March 2025, Lackson had set up a small tailoring business at his home, stitching clothes and school uniforms for people in the community. Word spread quickly. His craftsmanship and reliability earned him steady work, allowing him to generate about K7,000 each week. What started as a forgotten hobby was now sustaining his family and helping him invest in their future.

With his new income, Lackson has been able to consistently provide for his family’s daily needs and invest in their small farm. He purchased fertilizer for his 2.5-acre plot, boosting crop production. He also contributes K3,000 weekly to his VSL group savings and has plans to upgrade his sewing equipment to expand the business further.

“The training reminded me I already had something valuable,” Lackson said with pride. “Now, I’m not just surviving—I’m progressing. I can feed my family, send my children to school, and dream of more.”

Lackson at work behind his sewing machine – Doing what he knows best to build a better future.