May 22, 2025 News

Behind every grain of rice are people like Mathews from Zambia, who supports his entire family through his work

Mathews operates a rice processing machine every day at the centre in the Meheba refugee settlement in Zambia. Thanks to this job, he supports his family and does something that fulfils him. With the support of the Caritas Czech Republic, high-quality grains of rice are now produced at the centre, which are then sold at local markets or handed over to the farmers.

A place where rice turns into livelihood

Rice is one of the main crops grown in Zambia. However, few people can imagine the amount of effort that goes into each individual grain. During our visit to Zambia, we visited one of the centres in the Meheba refugee settlement, where this tasty and popular side dish is processed.

The centre was established in 2019, and today they sell rice to local farmers and at nearby markets. The Caritas Czech Republic supported its development by providing ten seed crushers, which help improve the quality of the grains. The building of the centre may not be large, but it is full of life – the machines are running at full capacity, and around them, two employees work diligently. One of them is the smiling Mathews.

Mathews is originally from Angola and has been working at the centre for three years as a machine operator. He is a proud father of three children and dreams of expanding his family further. Thanks to his work at the centre, he is able to provide for not only himself but also his entire family – and importantly, he does his job with enthusiasm. "I love my job," says Mathews with a smile.

Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia

Caritas Czech Republic has been improving lives in Zambia for over ten years. In collaboration with various partners, such as the Czech Development Agency and the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), we focus on empowering refugees and vulnerable communities by providing skills training and livelihood support. Our efforts help individuals establish sustainable businesses and improve their chances of securing employment, thus promoting self-sufficiency and long-term development.

Like Mathews, Jerome, who struggles with a visual impairment, also works with dedication and love at one of the processing centres in Meheba.