October 5, 2023
News
Caritas Czech Republic is marking the 10th anniversary of its country office in Zambia this year. Over the past decade, we have managed to build our largest country office in Zambia. We have achieved a lot in this time. From improving maternal and child health care to supporting refugees to helping farmers adapt to climate change. What has Caritas Czech Republic done in Zambia over the past ten years?
Involving local communities
Zambia is a beautiful and developing country, yet living conditions for many locals are very difficult. In particular, climate change is a significant problem for the Zambian people and is having a severe impact on the livelihoods of local farmers. Despite this, the lives of disadvantaged people in Zambia are changing for the better. Also thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, which has managed to launch a comprehensive aid programme in Zambia over the past decade.
"Our support to people in Zambia is always based on local needs. We involve traditional and community leaders in our work and work with community volunteers, in this way we can reach more communities," says Martina Havlíková, country director at Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia. “Sustainability is also crucial for us. It is important for us that once we have supported local communities in, for example, adapting to climate change, they are able to continue the projects independently. We work closely with local authorities and the private sector to ensure our programmes continue after we leave,“ adds Havlíková.
Supporting farmers to adapt to climate change
Agriculture is the source of livelihood for most Zambians. In places where until recently they were able to grow crops without problems, it is now very difficult to make a living due to climate change. Caritas Czech Republic is helping smallholder farmers adapt to the changing climate with the help of technological innovations. Such as through mobile phones, which let farmers know when rainfall is coming and what to grow at a given time, or which crops are better able to withstand climatic fluctuations.
We have long been training Zambian farmers in sustainable farming methods based on minimal soil disturbance and introducing the use of energy-efficient cooking methods, such as the use of green charcoal, to prevent deforestation, which is a major problem in Zambia.
Quality health care for mothers and their children
During its time in Zambia, Caritas Czech Republic has improved the availability and quality of care for mothers and their newborn babies. We have developed a midwife training system in the Western Province and supported several rural health facilities and provided them with modern medical equipment for maternal and perinatal care.
In Zambia, we are also training community health volunteers who visit rural communities and help combat malnutrition. "The community volunteers weigh and measure children in the villages, and also introduce the locals to the benefits of a balanced diet, stressing that there must be more than one type of food on the plate," explains Mwia Mulope, Caritas Czech Republic's project officer in western Zambia. “We have also introduced demonstration gardens in several local schools, where the schoolchildren themselves, together with their teachers, grow vegetables to diversify their diet," adds Mwia.
Better opportunities for refugees
Zambia is home to more than 105,000 refugees. Most of them have very limited opportunities to make a living. As a partner of UNHCR, we support refugees to study, provide them with university scholarships and run youth-friendly corners where they can spend their free time meaningfully and better integrate into Zambian society.
We also support refugees to learn a trade and set up their own businesses. In this way, they can secure a stable income and take care of themselves and their families. Often they also create employment opportunities for other members of the community. New bakeries, restaurants, fridge repair shops or tailoring shops are being set up. Beya, a refugee who went through a six-month tailoring course, also opened her own tailoring workshop. "When I heard about Caritas Czech Republic in our settlement supporting refugees to learn a trade, I didn't hesitate and immediately applied," says Beya gratefully. "Today I have a job that I enjoy and I can support my children, send them to school and buy them clothes," the young woman says.
We also recently introduced beekeeping to the refugees. Despite initial mistrust and fears, dozens of refugees have already attended the beekeeping course and are now making a living in the refugee settlements by producing delicious African honey.
We support both refugees and host communities not only in setting up businesses, but also, for example, in financial literacy training and the formation of savings groups. Particularly in rural areas, it is difficult for locals to access mainstream banking services; thanks to savings groups, they can save enough money to buy basic necessities, but also to start their own businesses.
Remembering Tea Tihounová, founder of the Caritas Czech Republic branch in Zambia
Tea Tihounová was at the birth of Caritas Czech Republic's office in Zambia ten years ago and from humble beginnings built one of the most successful foreign branches of Caritas Czech Republic. Five years ago, Tea succumbed to malaria in Zambia. We remember Tea as an incredibly dynamic, positive and smiling woman who loved life and was able to turn her plans and dreams into reality. She was able to enthuse those around her and support their efforts for a common cause. With her personality and ability and desire to change the world for the better, she was able to build a strong and inclusive team in Zambia and start many aid programmes. Today, Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia is successfully following in her footsteps.
10 years of Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia in numbers
- We have supported more than 45,000 farmers in adapting to climate change
- Over 14,000 farmers were trained in sustainable farming practices and various value chains and supported with inputs or cash grants
- 65,000 members of community gained knowledge on nutrition, maternal and child healthcare
- 312 refugees got into university thanks to our help
- 6,632 locals participated in our entrepreneurship and financial literacy training
- We have helped set up 1524 savings groups, with 30022 members now saving money together
- 294 young refugees, former refugees and Zambians completed Vocational and Entrepreneurship Sponsorship Programme
- 2,042 entrepreneurs received cash grants to start or improve their business
- 380 health workers were trained in various topics related maternal and child healthcare
We can help in Zambia also thanks to the generous support of our donors. Thank you for helping with us.
