The women of the Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD) are embarking on a bold journey to transform their communities through sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship.
In a remarkable step forward, the MANAD Women’s Club in Nguludi has launched a cabbage farming initiative as part of their broader transformation plan. The project is located on a small piece of land in Nguludi, where village leaders have committed to supporting and managing the farm.
“This is more than just farming—it’s about empowering women and creating a pathway to financial independence,” said Ms. Missie Malunga, Women’s Advisor for MANAD.
The initiative aims to increase income for the women’s club, enabling them to reach and support more women across Malawi. With the revenue generated, they plan to visit other districts to provide business training and raise awareness about women’s rights, particularly in combating domestic violence.
Despite the limited size of the land, the women are ambitious. Ms. Malunga is hopeful that the group will generate MK1,000,000 (approx. €508.39) by selling 1,200 heads of cabbage this year.
“This is a pilot project. If it’s successful, we’ll use it as a model to train women in other districts,” she explained.
While financial constraints limit travel and face-to-face interactions, the women continue to connect and educate each other through WhatsApp. However, as Ms. Malunga pointed out, the digital method has its shortcomings.
“Many women don’t actively follow the online discussions, but we are confident that this agricultural project will open new doors for us,” she said.
The MANAD women are proving that with vision, unity, and resilience, transformation is possible—one cabbage at a time.
