John Palimau

John Palimau is 30 years old and lives in Mpazi Village, rural Ntchue. He is married and has two children and has leg length deficiency. He used work as a bricklayer, making 12,000mk per month. John took part in the cane furniture training run by MACOHA in Ntcheu, graduating in September 2021. He received 6 months training in cane furniture, business training, reproductive health, gender awareness and HIV+AIDS prevention. He also was taught how to produce organic manure. When John finished his training, he was provided with cane furniture tools, some materials and a solar panel. John sells his cane furniture outside his house. He also takes his goods to market and uses his solar panel to charge locals’ phones. From his new business, John now has an income of at least 50,000mk a month, an increase of 233%. With his increased income he has been able to buy chickens, power extensions and musical equipment. He is now able to help support his parents as well as his family. John has been able to save 50,000mk, which he will spend this year on iron roofing sheets for his house. He has produced organic manure, saving at least 20,000mk on chemical fertilizer that he did not have to buy. John is about to train a student in cane furniture, for which he will be paid.