Margret Turns Inspiration Into Action

At just 18 years old, Margret Mmangisa from Namalowe CDSS in Mulanje carries a heavy responsibility. After losing her father years ago, she has been staying with her mother, who struggles to provide for the family. Paying school fees and covering basic needs often felt impossible.

Everything changed when Margret joined the She Creates Change project, implemented by CRECCOM with support from Room to Read which showcases a six-video film series, featuring narratives of courageous young women from historically low-income communities.

During one of the sessions, she was particularly inspired by Dewmini’s story—a young girl who started irrigation farming to sustain her family. "Her story opened my eyes,” Margret recalls. “I realized I could also use farming to support myself and my education.”

oon after, Margret attended a peer education training organized by CRECCOM under the project. From the training, she received a lunch allowance and transport refund of K14,000 per day for three days. Instead of spending all the money, Margret invested K20,000 to rent a 30x6-meter garden at the dambo.

Today, she is farming maize under irrigation, with plans to sell it fresh at the local market. Her determination is paying off. “I expect about K400,000 from this harvest,” she says confidently. “That money will cover my school fees, buy my learning materials, and even support my mother at home.