March 4, 2025
Since its launch in June 2023, Root Change’s Community Independence Initiative (CII) has been making waves in Malawi. Designed to empower families and foster sustainable development, the initiative has already shown impressive results. Initially 50 families were selected to participate and receive a monthly stipend of 25 USD. After six months, each family received an additional USD 125 as an investment to support their plans. The only requirements? 1) Each family was to document their journey in a monthly journal, outlining their goals and explaining how they used the funds to grow and develop. 2) Families participated in self-facilitated monthly meetings with 12 other families, creating open spaces for dialogue about goals, strategies, and community issues. Whether sharing business ideas, seeking advice on family matters, or discussing ways to address challenges in the community, the meetings have turned into a valuable tool for mutual support and learning.
By June 2024, the project welcomed a new cohort of 50 families, bringing the total to 100. This new group was divided into four smaller groups to encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Among these groups, two—Matiti and Chisamba, named after a local river and local tree, respectively—stood out by doing something extraordinary.
Saving Together, Growing Together
For six months, each family in the Maititi and Chisamba groups, a total of 24 families, saved a portion of their monthly funds (roughly 6 USD). Their collective effort culminated in a remarkable achievement: the families pooled their resources to purchase chickens, which were then distributed among them during a well-organized event. Each family received four chickens to raise, with the hope that these birds would multiply over time, providing a sustainable source of both income and food.
A Celebration of Community and Success
The chicken-sharing event was more than just a distribution of livestock—it was a celebration of community spirit, hard work, and innovation. Families from both the first and second cohorts came together to mark the occasion, creating an atmosphere of unity and encouragement. Attendees enjoyed a communal meal, shared stories of progress, and strengthened their bonds.
Special guests, including Myson Jambo, the project coordinator for Malawi, and Wongani Phiri, the CII families’ officer, graced the event. Myson took the opportunity to commend the Matiti and Chisamba groups for their visionary approach, encouraging other CII members to draw inspiration from their example and continue working toward shared success and learning from peers.
A Model for Empowerment
The Matiti and Chisamba groups’ initiative is a testament to what happens when families come together with a shared vision. Their innovative approach to resource management not only benefits individual families but also strengthens the group and community as a whole. This spirit of collaboration embodies the essence of CII—fostering independence and resilience through sustainable, community-driven solutions.
As the chickens grow and multiply, these families are building more than just wealth; they are building a legacy of resilience that will benefit future generations. Root Change and CII continue to be a beacon of hope, proving that even small investments can lead to big transformations when people are empowered to take charge of their futures. The story of Matiti and Chisamba groups is just one example of how collective action and determination can pave the way for lasting change.
Become Part of the Change
For the month of March, Root Change is running a fundraising campaign for CII Malawi to support 50 additional families for one year. Our total fundraising goal is 28,000 USD, and we are excited to share that the first 10,000 USD of donations will be matched—doubling the impact of every dollar you give and bringing us closer to our final goal!
Donate to support Malawian families on our GoFundMe campaign or, if you prefer, you can donate directly to Root Change with a note that your donation is for “CII Malawi.”
Follow along our progress throughout the month on LinkedIn.
