In Mwahowoke Village, Karonga District, the family of Mr. and Mrs. Malema once struggled with conflict and lack of cooperation. They made decisions separately, rarely discussed family matters, and often spoke to each other without respect. This affected their progress and left the household divided.
Everything changed when the couple joined Lusubilo Community Care’s SMART Couple sessions under the Gender and Child Protection Project. Through these lessons, they learned the value of communication, mutual respect, joint budgeting, and working together as a family. With time, peace returned to their home and they began to make decisions as a united family.
Since completing the SMART Couple sessions, the Malema family has experienced remarkable growth. Their renewed unity helped them build a new family house, and they have also managed to buy five cows, two goats, and ten chickens. Their farming efforts have strengthened as well, especially in rice production, and this year they have managed to store twelve bags of rice for food.
Although they do not run a formal business, the cooperation they now enjoy has increased their productivity and improved the quality of life for their two children. The harmony in their home has given them confidence to set even bigger goals, and their next dream is to buy a family car, something they now strongly believe is possible.
“We are very thankful to Lusubilo,” they shared. “The SMART Couple lessons changed our home. We now live in peace, we respect each other, and we work together. Our family has truly changed for the better.”
The journey of the Malema family shows how powerful positive change can be when couples are equipped with the right skills and support.
Lusubilo is implementing gender and child protection project with financial support from Catholic Relief Services.
