Zelina Binisoni, a 62-year-old widow and grandmother of four from Magombo village in Area 27 sector 3 in Lilongwe , defies all odds as she embarks on a transformative journey through Habitat for Humanity Malawi’s Home Equals project, where she received training in the Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness (PASSA).
This training aimed to empower families to save for home improvements, raise awareness of risks within the built environment, and promote safe shelter practices. Motivated by the knowledge she gained, Zelina joined a Housing Savings Group, taking a significant step towards her dream of a safer and more secure home.
“Through the training that Habitat Malawi organised on the Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness (PASSA) in our area, which lasted seven days, I was challenged to make housing improvements to my house. As such, I decided to use funds that I raised through my small-scale businesses and saved through the Village Savings Group I joined in 2023 to begin procuring construction materials for my home,” Zelina explained.
Through her dedication and hard work, Zelina purchased 31 bags of cement, which she used for rehabilitation work on her house, such as plastering and flooring. She also used some of her savings to pay for labour on maintenance work, which cost K240,000.
In addition to her personal projects, she supports her family by selling fish and tomatoes, as well as taking on casual work.
Looking to the future, Zelina aspires to connect electricity to her home and build a Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine. She appeals for assistance from partners like Habitat for Humanity Malawi to help her realise her vision for a better and more resilient home.
Zelina strongly believes that having a safe, secure, and comfortable home is a fundamental human right for everyone.
Implemented in collaboration with the Lilongwe City Council and with financial support from Habitat for Humanity International, the Home Equals Project aims to improve living conditions by breaking down barriers to equitable housing access.