December 8, 2015
Zambia
Caritas Czech Republic in partnership with The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has introduced a new and original way of teaching the schoolchildren in Meheba and Mayukwayukwa basic entrepreneurship skills. For local Zambians and former Angolan refugees, this future trade is one of the few ways to increase their livelihood.
The programme was launched in 2014 when business clubs were established. At the beginning of 2015, the organisers started to develop profit-making school activities which are taught at three primary schools in Meheba and Mayukwayukwa, too. These business classes teach the children how to set goals and develop the basic principles of financial management. The lecturers discuss with the pupils about money saving, bank loans, investments and different ways of earning money. At the end, the pupils are meant to present what new knowledge and skills they learned. According to Zuzana Filipová, former Caritas CR project coordinator, this business education teaches very small children the basic business rules so that they could earn some extra money besides their work in agriculture, which represents the main means of subsistence in Zambia. Moreover, they learn that business activities can bring them a decent income and better social status.”
“Here in Zambia, it is really rare to be employed, since the main way of livelihood is the agricultural production. We organise these business classes also for adults and we want the refugees, former refugees as well as small children to become enthusiastic about entrepreneurship so that they could run their own business,” explained Filipové. “By the end of the course, small children should become independent adults.”
Domiana Lusinga, a 15-year-old in the 4th grade at the primary school Kamiba C1 found the classes very useful: “I am sure we’ll use this knowledge and skills when we are adults.”
The workes of Caritas CR cooperated with teachers from local schools and members of the Parent-teacher association. According to Kalenda Fyonda, a patron of one business club and teacher at the primary school Kamiba C1, all of them are very properly trained and then they established business clubs and committees for money generation. They meet regularly once a week.
In the following month, Caritas Czech Republic plans to involve other schools in Meheba and Mayukwayukwa. The ongoing training for support of means of subsistence through apprenticeship and entrepreneurship activities is financed by UNHCR and Czech Development Agency.
(Inspired by article by Kelvin Shimoh, published November 22 2015 in Post Lifestyle)
