Support in tough times…
Rhianne Wizard • March 16, 2021
“I depend on piecework to feed my family but sometimes I go days without finding any work. More often than not my family would sleep on an empty stomach. It is the worst feeling in the world as a mother watching your children suffer.” said Judith.
“However with Sparkle’s support, we have now received bedding, food, clothes and groceries which will make the next few months bearable, while we wait for the rains to pass and work to resume.”
For years, Malawi has relied heavily on external aid and a single commodity, tobacco, to sustain its economy. This dependence has left the country vulnerable to the fluctuations of global markets and external shocks. Now, with USAID withdrawing its support, the urgency for economic diversification and self-sufficiency has never been greater. A Nation at a Crossroads USAID has long been a key partner in supporting Malawi’s healthcare, education, agriculture and economic development. Its departure creates a significant gap, not just in funding, but in the infrastructure and systems it helped support. The impact goes beyond numbers; it is a wake-up call. Yet, the truth is that Malawi has the potential to thrive beyond aid. We are blessed with fertile land, a young and energetic population, and a growing spirit of entrepreneurship. The challenge lies in how we harness these strengths to shape a future built on our own capabilities, not external dependency.
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