Limbani Chikowa

Limbani Chikowa is 30 years old and lives in rural Nkhotakota. He has a mental health condition. Limbani used to work as a farmer and would make 15,000mk (or £15) per month. He lives with his parents. Limbani took part in MACOHA’s carpentry training in Nkhotakota, graduating in March 2022. As well as learning how to make good quality furniture, Limbani took part in business, gender awareness, reproductive health, HIV and AIDS prevention and organic manure production training. When he finished training, he was given carpentry tools, some materials and a solar panel. Limbani now runs his carpentry business outside his parent’s house and is making and selling doors, chairs, beds, tables and stools. Whilst business started a little slowly, it is now going very well and Limbani is making 80,000mk per month. Limbani is using his solar panel to provide light for the family and to make some additional money, charging phones. With his income Limbani has been able to build a house for himself, next to his parents and to put iron roofing sheets on both his new house and his parent’s. Limbani is now saving money and has plans to move his business to a trading centre and expand by hiring other carpenters.