RAYS OF HOPE PROJECT

On this day, a delegation led by Executive Director Milliam Chilemba, accompanied by the Programs Manager and the Risk and Disaster Response Officer from the Chiradzulu District Council, revisited the village. Their mission was to provide further support to help the community overcome ongoing challenges.

The team brought essential items: a water pump, fertilizer, pesticides, sugar, cooking oil, and baking flour all vital to both farming and small-scale businesses like mandasi (fritter) production.

Speaking during the visit, Chief Mussa (Austin Maloya) expressed deep appreciation:

“From the bottom of my heart, Young Women Rise is the first non-governmental organization to come to this village and support us in such a meaningful way. Twenty households have received farm inputs and business materials. They did not impose business choices on us we were given the freedom to decide what we wanted to do. Our lives are truly changing.”

He proudly noted that the community has planted sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and pigeon peas crops they previously struggled to manage.

Executive Director Milliam Chilemba acknowledged that many of the initial farming efforts struggled due to climate change, particularly drought. This return visit was aimed at boosting resilience and helping families sustain their livelihoods.

“We saw that despite their hard work, the drought affected crop yields. So we’ve come back to strengthen the foundation we laid. While some families focus on farming, others are doing non-agricultural businesses like brewing, selling fritters, and tailoring. For these, we’ve provided sugar, flour, and cooking oil to help them keep going.”

Milliam added that the community has formed Village Savings and Loans (VSL) groups, and after loan repayments are made, Young Women Rise plans to extend the support to additional households, ensuring no one is left behind.

She also acknowledged the financial backing of the Hilden Charitable Trust, a UK-based organization funding the project.

Patrick Mulinga, Disaster Officer for Chiradzulu District, praised the initiative:

“We are very grateful to Young Women Rise. They’ve truly bridged the gap in livelihoods here in Mussa Village. The support they’ve brought fertilizer, cooking oil, sugar is not just aid; it’s an investment in business recovery.”

One of the beneficiaries, Grace Richard, shared her story:

“I was supported with capital to start my business. But due to rising prices and family problems, my business collapsed. When they came last time, we explained our struggles. Today, they’ve returned with what we need to restart. This is more than help it’s hope.”

The journey of Mussa Village is a testimony of what happens when community-led recovery, flexible support, and consistent follow-up meet.

The Rays of Hope project is not just rebuilding lives affected by disaster it’s planting seeds of dignity, independence, and long-term resilience.

From Cyclone Freddy’s devastation to today’s promise of progress, the people of Mussa Village now walk with hope in their hands and a future they are shaping for themselves.