Evangelical Lutheran Development Service

08/05/2026

On Thursday, 7th May 2026, we hosted PELUM Uganda, the Consortium Lead for the Rooted in Diversity (RiD) Project, on a field visit in Nkhotakota. Three Farmer Field Schools(FFS), Tiyanjane FFS, Chisomo FFS, and Tigwilane FFS located in Nsenjere EPA under Traditional Authority Kanyenda where visited during the field visit. With financial support from Norad, OXFAM, in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS), Centre for Integrated Community Development (CICOD) and Evangelical Lutheran Dvelopment Service (ELDS), is implementing the Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods project in Malawi in Dowa and Nkhotakota Districts. The project aims to strengthen food and nutrition security, enhance agrobiodiversity, and promote climate-resilient local food systems among farmers to participate in identification of solution towards attainment of their agrobiodiversity and resilient food systems. It targets smallholder farmers in Dowa and Nkhotakota districts, where access to diverse crop varieties, nutritious food, and resilient agricultural practices remains limited due to factors such as climate variability, low dietary diversity, and underutilization of local food species. The project uses the Farmer Field School (FFS) model and is implemented through three key approaches: Local Food Plants (LFP), Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) and Local Value Chain (LVC).

During the visit, farmers showcased their strong commitment to agroecological practices and the preservation of local seed varieties. Across all three Farmer Field Schools, diversity blocks have been established to multiply planting materials for Local Food Plants and Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) including rice, Bambara nuts, pigeon peas cowpeas, maize, cassava, sorghum, millet and groundnuts. Through these initiatives, the farmers are enhancing household food security while conserving indigenous crop varieties that are well suited to local climatic conditions.

27/04/2026

From 21 to 23 April 2026, we held our Planning and Review Meeting at Lakeview Hotel in Salima, bringing together our project officers from across our impact districts to reflect on the past year and plan the way forward. Over the three days, we reviewed our achievements, shared best practices in project implementation, and openly discussed the challenges we encountered. These reflections allowed us to draw valuable lessons that will help strengthen our work and improve our impact in the year ahead.

The meeting was officially opened by our Board Chairperson, Rev. Bertha Mnkhondya, who reminded the participants that this was a moment for honest self-evaluation. She emphasized the importance of teamwork and collective effort in achieving our goals and serving our communities effectively.

As we move forward, we remain committed to learning, improving, and working together to deliver meaningful and sustainable change and restoring hope for the hopeless.

01/04/2026

ELDS 2025 Annual Report is available for download on our website: www.eldsmw.org
Learn more about the work, achievements and partnerships that made this last year possible.
You can also access the full report using the link below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lY8EYpgDESTcDNYE1HGQ3OWMbuleWHS9/view?usp=drive_link

09/03/2026

08/03/2026

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience and contributions of women in our communities.
Together we uplift one another under this year’s theme “Give and Gain.”
Let us continue working towards equality, dignity and empowerment for all women and girls. 💜

24/02/2026

FROM NAMADZI RIVER TO SAFE WATER: MASALE VILLAGE’S JOURNEY TO CLEAN AND SAFE WATER

Access to clean and safe water has long been a major challenge in Masale Village under GVH Namakhuwa, Traditional Authority Ngwelero in Zomba District. For years, over 80 households depended on unprotected water sources, particularly Namadzi River, exposing them to frequent cases of diarrhea and cholera. Through a Participatory Vulnerability Assessments (PVA), the community identified unsafe water as a key vulnerability affecting health, productivity, and resilience. The community therefore prioritized construction of new water points as well as rehabilitation and protection of existing water infrastructure as a pathway to improved health and climate resilience. In response, ELDS through the CJC project supported the drilling and installation of a borehole at Kachere in Masale Village. Apart from drilling and installation of the borehole, the project also trained the responsible Water Point Committee (WPC) and facilitated establishment of a water point fund for sustainability of the borehole.

Before drilling and installation of the new borehole, women and girls walked long distances to fetch water from neighboring villages or the contaminated Namadzi River. During the dry season, water became scarce and more polluted, increasing disease outbreaks. Children frequently missed school due to illness, and women lost productive hours that could have been used for farming or small businesses. Apart from improving access to safe drinking water and reduced the risk of waterborne diseases, the new borehole has also reduced the burden of travelling long distances to fetch water more especially for women and small girls and has improved school attendance
Four months after installation, the projects efforts faced a major setback as the borehole was vandalized. Critical components including rods, plungers, and the pump head cover were stolen. Six boreholes in the surrounding area were vandalized during the same period. Despite this setback, the WPC mobilized the community and raised MWK 710,000 through their water point fund to repair it. Training of the WPC had strengthened skills in leadership, accountability, record keeping, maintenance planning, and community monitoring. These capacities enabled the community to respond quickly and independently, demonstrating ownership and self-sufficiency. Kachere Borehole is now fully functional and remains the only operational borehole among the six vandalized in the area. Over 80 households now have reliable access to clean and safe water. Cases of waterborne diseases have reduced, women spend less time fetching water, and families have more time for farming and education.

Going forward, the community has strengthened security measures and improved management of the water point fund to ensure sustainability. This story reflects how the CJC project promotes community collaboration and builds local capacity to enhance resilience to climate-related shocks. A key lesson learned is that community ownership and collective action are essential for sustainable development. Even after vandalism, Masale Village demonstrated that empowered communities can restore and protect their own assets.

29/01/2026

On 28 January 2026, our Executive Director joined local leaders, Bwengu EPA staff, forestry officers and community members from GVH Chipusile Gondwe in Traditional Authority Jalavikuba, Mzimba District, during a tree planting exercise following the national official launch of the 2025/2026 tree planting season. The exercise marked an important step in strengthening community-led efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable natural resource management.

Through our ongoing Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Project II in T/A Jalavikuba, we are promoting tree planting by supporting establishment of community tree nurseries, training community members in tree nursery management and planting techniques, and integrating agroforestry practices into farming systems. The project works closely with extension workers, Village Natural Resources Management Committees (VNRMCs) and local leadership to ensure that households not only plant trees but also care for them until maturity.

We remain committed to supporting communities like GVH Chipusile Gondwe in building a greener, more resilient future for generations to come.

25/12/2025

Wishing everyone a warm, joyful, and blessed Christmas! 🎄✨

05/12/2025

On Day 11 of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, ELDS participated in launch events alongside other stakeholders in Mchinji, Chikwawa, Mwanza, and Lilongwe districts.

This year’s campaign is being observed under the theme: "Unite to end Digital Gender-Based Violence in Malawi.”

Together, we remain committed to raising awareness, fostering collaboration, and advocating for safer and more inclusive digital spaces for everyone.

02/12/2025

24/11/2025

7 Days to the Joint World AIDS Day and International AIDS Candlelight Memorial!

Moyo ndi mpamba, usamalireni. Yezetsani HIV lero!