Malawi is experiencing great darkness and hopelessness at this time. Her economy suffered a massive blow in November when the currency was devalued by 44%. This caused an immediate rise in the cost of the basic commodities essential for life, such as sugar, oil, soap, food, fuel, seed and fertiliser. In 2021 a 50 kg bag of fertiliser cost 35,000 Kwacha. This was considered then to be too expensive for the great majority of people. In 2022 the same size bag doubled in price to 70,000K. That caused a widespread failure of harvests early in 2023 because people were unable to afford fertiliser. In December the price had risen to 120,000K! The impact on the poor of the nation is predictable.

Keep in mind when reading this that the great majority of Malawians do not have employment or any form of regular income. What money they get comes from the sale of their crops. Their ability to survive the coming year has been made even more difficult.