God willing, I will soon be travelling with Zeb to Malawi to visit the villages where Compact is actively working in the Nkhotakota District. Recently, we made the one hour journey from our rural Colorado community to the health department to receive the recommended travel vaccinations and medications,including malaria prevention, tetanus, and polio protection marking an exciting and very real step toward this long anticipated trip.
In the coming weeks, Zeb and I will also be sharing at our local church, Lighthouse in New Mexico, presenting the vision and ongoing work of Compact, our personal involvement, and what we hope to accomplish during our time in Malawi. We are especially encouraged to meet with Tyler, a fire mitigation specialist focused on land restoration, who will help us identify the data we should gather and establish practical ways to measure progress within the villages.
Preparation has also included expanding our training manual and creating large laminated visual resources that emphasize the connection between land restoration, sustainable agriculture, and solar well development. Through regular conversations on WhatsApp, I have already come to know many of our Malawian colleagues and friends, and I eagerly anticipate meeting them face-to-face. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to meaningful learning, shared encouragement, and lasting partnership.(Written in June 2026)
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“The best way to find yourself is to loose yourself in the service of others.” Ghandi
We Go Again
Baseline studies have been completed in the villages of Isaac and Chisiko to assess soil health, water access, household nutrition, and existing farming practices ahead of upcoming agroforestry initiatives. Strong stakeholder engagement has been central to this process, involving local leaders, farmers, government representatives, and community groups to ensure shared ownership and culturally appropriate planning. These consultations helped identify priority needs and suitable tree–crop systems to strengthen food security and environmental resilience.
In May, agroforestry activities were introduced with composting, establishing seed banks and training in sustainable land management practices. The aim is to improve soil fertility, diversify livelihoods, and support long-term community sustainability. To date, things are going well.
For more information email ktj@compactrf.com
