“I lift my eyes to God because He has a purpose for me, He is the one who provides.”
Christian Aid has worked in Malawi for almost 20 years, supporting vulnerable communities to improve their livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and find sustainable ways out of poverty. In a country where most people rely on agriculture and many face the impacts of economic instability and climate-related challenges, this support is vital.
Esther Saizi, 57, is a widowed mother and grandmother from Balaka District. A small-scale pigeon pea farmer since 2011, she took part in the Malonda Project through the Wealth Creation for Pigeon Pea Farmers Programme between 2019 and 2022. When we revisited her in September 2025, she shared how the project had transformed her life.
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Pigeon pea farming has improved Esther’s family’s food security, nutrition, and income. Thanks to the training she received, her harvests have increased significantly, with this year’s yield benefiting from particularly good rainfall. Through her village savings and loan group, she has also been able to access small loans when needed.
One of Esther’s greatest challenges came in June 2023, when thieves stole nearly everything from her home: bags of maize, rice, pigeon peas and groundnuts, carpentry tools, and thirteen goats. “That day is one I will never forget,” she recalls. “I knelt and prayed, saying, ‘Lord, you give, and you also take.’"
The robbery took a heavy toll on her health, leaving her hospitalised for two months with high blood pressure and heart complications. Yet Esther refused to give up. Using income from her farming, she helped her daughter Ziwone and son-in-law replace the stolen carpentry tools. She also started a small business selling Thobwa, a traditional local drink, to supplement her income.
Although life remains difficult, Esther is grateful for how far she has come. Unreliable markets, low crop prices, and the devaluation of the Malawian Kwacha continue to make life challenging for farmers. Still, her faith remains strong.
“My faith in the Lord has helped and continues to help me,” she says. “Sometimes there’s no food in the house, and I pray, ‘Lord, what should I do to feed these children?’ Then someone appears and gives me money, and we manage for a few days. I know it is the Lord who oversees everything. When you lean on God, He helps you.”
Esther wishes the Malonda Project had continued, as it brought lasting benefits to her family and community. Beyond improving her farming skills, it taught her new ways to use pigeon peas, including in cakes, scones, and dough. Today, she shares her knowledge with other women, encouraging them to work hard, set goals, and believe in what they can achieve.
Through faith, determination, and the opportunities provided by the Malonda Project, Esther’s story demonstrates how resilience and hope can transform lives.
Will you give Hope to communities and farmers in countries like Malawi?
