Under the Zambian Sun

It was all joy in Siakasipa area, as the community rejoiced in singing, dancing and cheering at the handover of Siakasipa community school on 12^th October 2011. Ward councillor, chief representative, Ministry of Education representative, Response Network staff, teachers, students and parents were in attendance to celebrate the handover. Academic Work of Sweden supported this community with building materials to construct a classroom and office

My name is Grace Kahima,I was born in 1976. I’m married with four children.  I was illiterate until Response Network sensitized my community in 2006. I did not even know how to write my name. 

One day, my friends and I took our babies to the clinic for under five and vaccination. My baby was weighed, after the weighing exercise was completed, the Clinical officer asked the women to collect their children’s cards. The women started getting their cards one by one. I watched as they collected until one card remained. I picked the card but since I could not read, I never noticed that the name on the card did not match that of my child.  On our way back, a certain woman asked my child’s name, I told her he was Jordan. Then the woman checked on my card, she noticed that i had a wrong card because it was bearing a different name. I had to return to the clinic after walking for 5km. At the clinic, I found that, the card was exchanged with a different woman who was also illiterate. After this experience, I attended Response Network’s sensitization meeting where we were encouraged to start our own education activities through self help. We later formed a literacy class called Siakasasa.

I encouraged all my friends to join literacy classes and I thank Response Network for sensitizing the people in Simwatachela chiefdom. I am now able to read and write.

Children posing for a photo after receiving shoes donated by Academic Work

Academic Work sponsors orphaned girl children to attain primary and secondary school education in Livingstone district in the southern province of Zambia. Recently shoes were distributed to pupils and it was touching to see the impact a pair of shoes make on a child’s life.  Elizabeth (Response Network sponsorship coordinator) will never forget that day when she arrived at Bata shop where the children received shoes from. She started giving shoes to each individual child, as they went in she could hear their laughter and excitement as the kids were amazed by their new gifts. As she stood there, she could see the excitement in the children’s face.  It was in that moment that she realized that every pair makes a difference.  

My name is Mercy Himoonga, I’m 31years old. I live in Siachitema chiefdom. I lost my husband in December 2009. After the death of my husband I had no idea of how to feed my 3 children. I was confused, not knowing what to do; my husband was everything to me. I did not even have relatives to support me. I thought that was the end of my life and my children also. I thought my children would die of hunger. I moved to a village where I attended Response Network village meeting where we were encouraged to start up a Women’s group and skills training. We decided to form a Women’s group and we learnt how to make a variety of clothes. I started sewing clothes and knitting jerseys which I sell to the surrounding villages. This has really helped me and my children. The income that I make now is not enough but helps to keep us going. My children can also go to school because there is a community school nearby and I don’t have to pay much but contribute a bit from what I make to the volunteer teacher teaching at the school.

Chuma Katungu

Chuma Katungu is 9 years old; she lost both her parents when she was 4 years old. Chuma is being kept by her Grandmother who does not work. The grand mother could not send her to school.In 2010 she was listed among the girls to be sponsored by Academic work of Sweden. With the support of Academic Work, Chuma is now in school and she is a very happy child now.

My name is Carol Muchimba, I am 21 years old. I live in southern province of Zambia in the tourist capital called Livingstone. In the period 2006 and 2008 I was blessed to be sponsored by a well wisher from Norway who paid for my school fees at secondary level. It was the organization Response Network which arranged for this.

On 13th august 2009 I lost my mother due to death. Within the same year, I went to stay with my aunt in Solwezi, North-Western part of Zambia. My aunt was left with the responsibility of taking care of me, my sisters and cousins. Being too many, she could not manage taking us all to school. I later came back and started staying with my grandmother in the hope of going back to school, but my grandmother is too old and she does not work, she knits table clothes that help in feeding us at home and is the only hope for me this moment. The moment she dies I will have no accommodation, worse enough; I am not qualified for any employment. I became so worried and almost lost hope in life. But when I came to my realization, I gained my hope and strength as I put my trust and hope in God and all those that supported me.

Before the true realization of being dependent on God, I had completely lost my hope. I feel I have to struggle with training at college for me to be qualified for any job while my grandmother is still alive. I am still appealing for assistance or sponsorship into college so that I prepare for my future. The support I get is very much appreciated. I really want to train in social work. is the only hope for me this moment. The moment she dies I will have no accommodation, worse enough; I am not qualified for any employment. I became so worried and almost lost hope in life. But when I came to my realization, I gained my hope and strength as I put my trust and hope in God and all those that supported me.

I am a young Lady aged 28; my husband died last year in a car accident, his family grabbed all the property and left me with nothing but my child.

One day i decided to visit my parents in the Village where I attended a village meeting facilitated by Response Network in which they talked about the importance of starting Literacy classes and how to stop gender based violence. In the same meeting, property grabbing was mentioned as one of gender based
violence. After attending the meeting I decided to report my husband’s family to the Victim Support Unit of the

Zambian Police Service who helped to retrieve all the property.

After a short while my friends and I decided to start literacy class in the evenings which helped me in acquiring knowledge and skills that made me get a job. Just to be proud of myself I felt it was important for me to continue with my education enhance continued attending the literacy classes in the evenings. I appreciate for the knowledge that I got about my right which makes me fight for my rights and achieve my dreams.

Country Director with Government officials from Kazungula District during Labour day commemoration, awarding Pearson Sianduwa, Asisstant Facilitation officer for Hardworking and Deligency.

Response Network works according to international law and Zambian Government directives on education for all that is spelled out as follows:Every woman, man, youth and child has the human right to free and compulsory elementary education and the human right to freedom from discrimination in all areas and levels of education, and to equal access to continuing education and vocational training.

Mercy Kamayoyo

A 17 years old girl,she is a single orphan. Mercy stays with her mother in Zecco compound, she is the first born in a family of 3. She passed to grade 10 but cannot report to school due to lack of funds. The mother works as a cook at Ngwenya Community School. The mother only earns enough money to feed the family.