Building Resilient Livelihoods in Vanuatu: Agnes’ Story | World Vision
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In Vanuatu, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters globally, communities are already feeling the impact of rising temperatures, unpredictable weather and increasing food insecurity.

Living in an urban area with limited space for cultivation, Agnes Mal‑Marmolon relied on a small backyard garden and a modest income from selling leafy vegetables. But rising food prices and climate pressures made it harder each season to support her household and plan for her grandchildren’s future.

Through the Irish Aid-funded NOURISH programme, Agnes participated in activities focused on backyard gardening, nutrition, savings and financial management, and small business development, changes that have strengthened her household’s resilience and economic stability.

Today, Agnes’ story reflects a broader shift taking place across NOURISH communities, where vulnerable households are strengthening their ability to adapt to climate change, improve food production, and sustainably manage natural resources.

Agnes' in her backyard garden

Strengthening Food Production at Home

Through NOURISH, Agnes received hands‑on training in backyard gardening using climate‑smart, nutrition‑sensitive techniques. She learned how to improve soil fertility through composting, apply organic fertilisers, and use natural pest control methods. These approaches are part of a wider programme effort, where over 90% of targeted households in the NOURISH programme are adopting climate-smart production practices.

For Agnes, these changes brought immediate results. Her garden became more productive and resilient, even as environmental conditions grew more unpredictable. She now grows a wider variety of crops, including leafy greens, tomatoes and root vegetables, helping ensure a steady supply of nutritious food for her household.

"The backyard garden helps me avoid spending too much money at the market," Agnes shared. 

By increasing what she can grow at home, Agnes has reduced her exposure to volatile food prices while improving her family’s diet, directly contributing to the programme's objective of increasing diverse, nutrition‑sensitive, climate‑smart food production.

Strengthening Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

Agnes’ improved gardening practices also reflect a deeper shift in how natural resources are managed at the household level. By composting organic waste, improving soil health, and reducing reliance on chemical inputs, she is contributing to more sustainable land use and environmental conservation.

Across the NOURISH programme areas, over 70% of households have adopted sustainable natural resource management practices, including soil restoration, water conservation, and climate‑resilient land use approaches.

For Agnes, this means her garden is not only more productive today, but better protected for the future.

Agnes with other community members involved with NOURISH

Building Financial Resilience and Adaptive Capacity

Climate resilience is not only about farming, it is also about financial security. Through her participation in an Inclusive Savings for Transformation (IS4T) group, Agnes received training on savings, loans, and basic financial management. Household budgeting activities helped her learn how to record income and expenses, plan savings, and make joint financial decisions with her husband.

Before joining, she struggled to track income and expenses. Today, she budgets confidently and invests strategically in her livelihood.

“I have achieved many of my goals through IS4T savings.”

This financial resilience has enabled Agnes to absorb shocks without resorting to negative coping strategies, an essential element of adapting to climate and economic stress.

From Garden Sales to Small Business Growth

To further support income generation, Agnes participated in Business training and coaching. These sessions enabled her to better understand her customers, assess the value of her products, calculate profits, and think strategically about business growth.

With new business skills gained through NOURISH training, Agnes expanded beyond vegetable farming. She began selling prepared food, opened a small home‑based canteen, and invested in a sewing machine, creating multiple income streams.

This diversification reflects a key resilience strategy seen across the programme, where households are increasingly able to buffer shocks through varied livelihoods and improved financial management.

By reducing dependence on a single source of income, Agnes is less vulnerable to climate‑related crop failure or market disruptions.

Agnes and other community members involved in NOURISH training

Improving Nutrition and Health

NOURISH also supported Agnes to improve food preparation, hygiene and nutrition through cooking demonstrations and training. She now prepares safer, more nutritious meals using locally available foods, benefiting both her family and her customers.

These changes reinforce the link between climate‑smart production and improved household nutrition, ensuring that increased food production translates into better health outcomes.

A More Resilient Household

Today, Agnes’ household is more resilient in every sense. She produces more of her own food, manages her finances effectively, and earns income from multiple sources. She is better equipped to cope with climate shocks, rising costs, and unexpected challenges.

Her journey illustrates how integrated, locally led support can strengthen resilience at household level. 

Through NOURISH, Agnes is among thousands of individuals who are now better able to mitigate, adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change.

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