Stories

Livay from Zambia teaches his community how to save and manage money better
June 10, 2025 News

Livay from Zambia teaches his community how to save and manage money better

Livay has become the leader of a so-called savings group, which enables people in remote parts of Zambia to save money collectively and later access a bank loan. First, Livay learned how to manage his finances through our training. After that, he started sharing his newly acquired knowledge with dozens of people in his community. The saved up money significantly helps people in Zambia on their journey towards a more fulfilling life. 

We had no food or milk for my children, says Falone from Zambia, who is now able to support her family on her own with the help of Caritas Czech Republic
June 5, 2025 News

We had no food or milk for my children, says Falone from Zambia, who is now able to support her family on her own with the help of Caritas Czech Republic

39-year-old Falone fled with her family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zambia, where she tried to start over. However, her difficult past still haunts her. Rebels attacked her family in Congo – her father was killed in the attack and her mother died years later from cancer triggered by severe stress. In order to provide for her large family, Falone opened her own shop selling household items and fashion. Today, her business is thriving – thanks in part to Caritas Czech Republic. 

At 54, Jonathan is a successful farmer in Zambia, Caritas Czech Republic helped him to a better life
June 3, 2025 News

At 54, Jonathan is a successful farmer in Zambia, Caritas Czech Republic helped him to a better life

Jonathan fled to Zambia from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was left completely on his own. Caritas Czech Republic helped him start a business and manage it effectively. Thanks to that, he became self-reliant. Today, he successfully raises chickens and ducks and leads a contented life. 

She fled violence in Congo. Today, Jollie runs her own restaurant in Zambia
June 2, 2025 News

She fled violence in Congo. Today, Jollie runs her own restaurant in Zambia

Jollie is a 38-year-old passionate entrepreneur who cooks traditional Zambian dishes in her own restaurant in the heart of the Meheba refugee settlement. However, her life has not always been easy. Due to armed conflict, she fled with her family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zambia. Today, she is striving to build a successful business from her restaurant, with support from Caritas Czech Republic

63-year-old Roger fled war-torn Angola, now he farms for a living in Zambia
May 29, 2025 News

63-year-old Roger fled war-torn Angola, now he farms for a living in Zambia

Roger had to leave his native Angola due to the civil war. Today, he lives in Zambia with his large family and earns a living through farming. Thanks to the income from his farm, he is able to support his children’s education. Caritas Czech Republic provided him with training, helped him expand his knowledge, and enabled easier travel to his workplace.  

I’m farming the land my grandfather and great-grandfather once worked on, says Peter, a farmer from Iraq
May 26, 2025 News

I’m farming the land my grandfather and great-grandfather once worked on, says Peter, a farmer from Iraq

Peter is a farmer from the town of Karamles in northern Iraq. His farm is well known across the region – he’s called the Onion King, as his harvest is sought after not only by locals, but by people from far and wide. Farming runs deep in his family’s history. “For more than 150 years, my family has been connected to farming. My grandfather, great-grandfather, father – and now me,” Peter says. Caritas Czech Republic helped him adapt his farming to the challenges of climate change. 

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

Removing barriers. How Caritas Czech Republic provides comfortable conditions for people with disabilities in Ukraine
May 12, 2025 Caritas Czech Republic in Ukraine

Removing barriers. How Caritas Czech Republic provides comfortable conditions for people with disabilities in Ukraine

Isabela is a future nurse and Alina is a future interpreter. They live together in a dormitory at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian University in Ivano-Frankivsk. Despite illnesses and disabilities, they are full of dreams and determination. To support them on their way to making their dreams come true, the Caritas Czech Republic team renovated and refurbished the student accommodation so that Alina and Isabela could feel confident and comfortable.

Bees - an unexpected tool in the fight against poverty
May 11, 2025 News

Bees - an unexpected tool in the fight against poverty

Every year on 20th May we celebrate World Bee Day. The importance of bees for the ecosystem and the food industry has long been known. But these insects are also a source of work and livelihoods in developing regions. For example in refugee settlements in Zambia, where dozens of refugees have started to make a living from beekeeping thanks to Caritas Czech Republic.

I want to open a workshop and name it after my son, says Najlaa from Iraq, a seamstress finding new hope after tragic loss
May 8, 2025 News

I want to open a workshop and name it after my son, says Najlaa from Iraq, a seamstress finding new hope after tragic loss

Najlaa lives in Karakosh, a town in northern Iraq. She is 50 years old, works as a seamstress, and her story is one of grief, faith, and quiet determination. In 2023, she lost her son in a car accident. Since then, she has been dreaming of opening her own sewing workshop – and naming it in his memory.