Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Masoka’s Journey of Empowerment

Masoka’s hands are stained with the rich soil of the land she now calls home. A 37-year-old mother of four, she arrived at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi after fleeing the conflict in her home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The future felt uncertain, and the struggle to provide for her family loomed large. But in a small corner of the camp, Masoka is learning that she has the power to reshape her fate.

Before she enrolled in SOFERES’ food production and income-generation training program, Masoka’s knowledge of farming was limited to the basics. She had a small garden, but it didn’t yield much. The vegetables she sold barely covered the family’s daily expenses, and despite her hard work, she felt stuck. “I didn’t know how to improve what I had,” Masoka reflects. “I was just doing what I could to survive.”

That survival mentality is gradually giving way to a new mindset. As Masoka works through the SOFERES training, she’s learning techniques that have already started to change her life. The training isn’t just about farming; it’s about transforming her approach to everything from the soil beneath her feet to the money in her hands.

Masoka is now learning modern farming methods. She’s discovering how to improve soil fertility, conserve water, and protect her crops from pests. “I never realized how important it is to rotate my crops or add organic matter to the soil,” she says with a smile. “Now, I know how to make my land work for me, not just grow what I can.” She’s also learning to diversify her crops, a strategy that gives her a safety net in case one crop doesn’t succeed.

But the training goes beyond agriculture. Masoka is also gaining vital financial literacy skills. She’s learning how to budget for farming inputs, track her expenses, and save the income she earns. “Before, I never thought much about saving,” she admits. “But now I know how important it is to save and plan for the future.” And it doesn’t stop there. The program teaches women like Masoka how to form cooperatives, offering the potential to pool resources, share knowledge, and sell their products collectively—ultimately giving them more power to negotiate better prices at market.

Perhaps the most powerful transformation, however, has come through SOFERES’ gender advocacy training. Masoka recalls a time when she felt her voice didn’t matter in decisions about the household. “Before, I didn’t think I had a say in how money was spent,” she shares. “But now, I know that my voice matters. I am beginning to take on leadership in my home and in my community.”

It’s clear that Masoka’s confidence has grown in ways she never imagined. As she nears the end of the program, she is already looking toward the future with hope and excitement. Her dream is to produce enough food to feed her family comfortably, sell the surplus at the market, and save for her children’s education. “I’m excited to see what I can do with what I’ve learned,” she says. “This is just the beginning.”

Masoka’s journey isn’t over yet. She still has a few more days of training ahead, but the transformation is already palpable. She’s not just learning how to farm; she’s learning how to become a leader. She’s gaining the tools to create a sustainable livelihood for her family—and with it, the power to shape her future.

In a world that often feels out of her control, Masoka is taking the reins. She’s already started to discuss forming a cooperative with the other women in her group, laying the groundwork for something bigger. Together, they will not only nourish their families but will also begin to change the way their community sees women in leadership.

Masoka’s journey exemplifies what can happen when women are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead. The skills she’s gaining through SOFERES’ training program are not just changing her life—they’re transforming her entire community. One step at a time, she’s proving that with determination, knowledge, and a little bit of help, even the most challenging circumstances can become a springboard for something better.

One Day’s Wages is partnering with One Day’s Wages is partnering with Solidarity of Refugee Women for the Social Welfare (SOFERES) – a grassroots nonprofit founded by and for refugees – to support 30 of the most vulnerable women in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. (SOFERES) – a grassroots nonprofit founded by and for refugees – to support 30 of the most vulnerable women in Dzaleka Refugee Camp.To learn more about our partnership with SOFERES, visit here.