People of Chifuchambewa Village under Senior Chief Khombedza in Salima say their lives are slowly improving through the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (Life-AR) project.
Chairperson for the Chifuchambewa Village Development Committee (VDC), Ganizani Donald, says for years the community has struggled with the effects of climate change. He says the major challenges have been soil erosion caused by running water, poor rainfall leading to bad harvests, and deforestation that left their environment bare and dry.
“We have been suffering for a long time. When it rains, the water washes away the soil. Sometimes we plant and the rains don’t come. Even the forests are gone, and we were left with nothing to depend on,” said Donald.
However, Donald said the coming of the Life-AR project has brought a new approach that is already helping the community make small but important changes. He said through the project, community members have planted fruit trees, started beekeeping, and are learning how to farm fish in small ponds.
“The fruit trees will give us food and bring back the shade. Beekeeping is giving some families a way to earn money, and fish farming will help with food.” Said Donald.
Donald added that what makes the project different is that it is involving the community from the start.
“They don’t just tell us what to do. They ask us what we need and train us to manage things on our own.”
One of the residents, Esther Juma, said she is happy to be part of the tree planting and hopes her children will grow up in a better environment.
“The rains are not the same anymore, but if we protect our land, maybe things will improve,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the local leadership, Group Village Head Chifuchambewa commended the project and pledged full support, saying his role as a chief is to make sure all households take part in the activities and drive the change together.
“This is our community, and we must work together to protect it, and as a leader, I will ensure everyone participates. We need unity and commitment for this to succeed.” He said.
Acting Director for Natural Resources and Environment at Salima District Council, Adam Jason, said the Life-AR project is part of a global effort where developed countries support the least developed ones to respond to climate change in a better way.
He said the project is being piloted in three districts of Salima, Rumphi, and Mangochi, and it aims to promote local leadership in climate action. He added that the focus is on long-term planning, good governance, better access to climate finance, and building the capacity of both communities and local authorities.
“In the past, climate projects came with solutions from outside. But Life-AR is different,” Jason said. “We want communities to be in charge of their own development. This means training them, giving them the tools they need, and helping them lead the response.”
Jason added that the initiative is encouraging what they call a “business unusual” approach, where climate adaptation is not treated as a one-time activity but as part of everyday life and planning.
For the people of Chifuchambewa, the project may not have solved all problems, but it has started a process that gives them hope.
“We feel like we are finally doing something to protect our land and our future,” said Donald.
(By Fegson Phabuli)
