Gladys's transformative work
- mohmalawi2023
- Nov 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 20
Paul Sigmund, from our partner Malawi Visions, recently returned from Malawi and reported on the remarkable transformation of the center at Chimwang’ombe due to the efforts of center Director Gladys Mkuleza.
When Gladys joined the Ministry of Hope’s Chimwang’ombe Community Development Center in 2013, the center’s garden lay barren and dry. With determination and newly gained training in conservation agriculture, Gladys led a remarkable transformation. Within a year, vegetables flourished again, and in 2015, an irrigation borehole and solar-powered system from Malawi Visions fueled year-round production.
Gladys turned the garden into a self-sustaining enterprise—selling onions and sugar cane to fund operations, pay workers, and buy goats and pigs for natural fertilizer. Surplus crops financed the purchase of more land, expanding production. Average yields of maize grew from 30 to 200 bags of 50kgs each and sharply reduced dependence on external aid.
The abundance transformed lives beyond the fields. The center’s feeding program grew from 200 to over 2,200 children daily. Improved nutrition boosted school attendance and performance—secondary school enrollment rose from 8 to 110 students, with 30 now in university, and girls’ participation soared.
Gladys has planted the seeds of hope at Chimwang’ombe and the children of that community are reaping the fruits of resilience and sustainable growth.
Last spring Ministry of Hope started a salary-supplement initiative to help MoH staff cope with inflation. Our donors responded generously, and with an additional $1,750 a month in the budget Ministry of Hope was able fund a 25% raise for all staff, and that was a huge boost to morale. However, the inflation rate has continued unabated. Prices of basic commodities over the past 2-3 years have more than tripled. For example, a bag of fertilizer has gone up from 27,000 Malawi Kwacha ($15 USD) to 175,000 ($100USD).
We are hoping to provide another cost of living raise this coming year. Gifts to Ministry of Hope’s general operating fund help ensure center directors like Gladys are supported through this inflationary surge so they can keep their focus on sustainable programs and ministry, not personal survival.
