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Aida Thole, wife of Chakuwamba photographed Mtuwa village, Chikwawa, Malawi.

Chakuwamba told us about the difference the help he's received through Trócaire partner CADECOM has made.

'I didn't have enough crops or food for my family. I was growing maize, rice, millet and sorghum.

In 2006, the family received two goats from Trócaire.

I invested in looking after these two goats until they multiplied.

My goats grew in number to 38 and i used the money from the goats to invest in cotton farming.

Through cotton farming and caring for the goats I've been able to buy iron sheets and buy cement and build a house that you can see behind you.

From these two goats I'm happy now to say i'm a very proud farmer. I'm able to send my children to school. I have a boy and a girl in secondary school. I'm able to support them and pay for their school fees.I also have enough food for the family.

And all this started with the two goats.

I'm very thankful for the support I got from Trocaire and CADECOM in making sure I improve in my farming techniques.

I have a task now to make sure I support many farmers in my village so that they should have better houses. That is my wish that in five years time, more than twenty households will have houses with iron sheets.

I have had to use a cloth worn by my wife as a blanket during the night. What motivates me is that I have lived in poverty. I have worked in other people's fields. I don't want to go back to where I was. Photo: Alan Whelan/Trócaire.