Malawi is one of the most economically challenged countries in the world, with 50.7% of the population living below the poverty line and 25% living in extreme poverty.  In Doya District, these numbers are even higher.  Large scale flooding in 2015 followed by a major drought in 2016 compounded food insecurity.  As a result, 37% of children under age five experience growth stunting due to malnutrition.  Children who are trapped in a cycle of poverty are unable to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, education, health, income generation, and safety.

One Day’s Wages partnered with Zoe Empowers in the second year of a 3-year partnership that is supporting Malawian orphans and vulnerable children to  pull themselves permanently out of extreme poverty.  During this project year, members of 6 youth empowerment groups received micro-grants to establish income generating activities, and received intensive training in business management, agriculture and food security, child rights, health and hygiene.  The groups’ table banking initiatives grew significantly, allowing youth to increase their savings and access larger loans.  As a result, 100% of the 173 participating households have developed steady streams of income, 94% have established household savings accounts, and nearly all households have enough food in storage to sustain them through to the next growing season!