Report from BHW Zambia Partnership Facilitator Following Visit 27th June

Key People: Martin Kawina, Gabriel, Standford Mufwata

I met with Martin, Gabriel, Mrs Kampelembi, Peter Kampelembi and around ten of the farmers who were trained last year. At the completion of the meeting, they gave me a chicken to take home.

Recent Events

Farming Training

In July 2024 Standford ran a 3-day farming course for 20 participants. The course was well received. At our meeting there were the following farmers: Ruth Luwwawa, Precious Ntaulo, Astrd Kaputu, Belinda Kamalama, Clara Samechi, Maureen Kamalama, Prudence Sachenga, Peliza Nudba, and Kokaromi Kawangu. We chatted about the farming training and what they had learned, and they gave the following comments:
• Using a measuring tape and sticks to measure the distance between planting stations
• How to dig potholes
• The making of compost using manure, green and brown
• Planting 3 seeds in each hole but pulling out one if they all grow to leave 2 plants per hole
• Applying lime or wood ash
• How to measure and apply fertilizer
• Using a steel drum to put 20kg of compost manure in water to soak for one month, then dilute and spray onto the maize plants
• Mulching the field

It was great to see these ladies having a really good understanding of the methods that they were taught, and they were very engaged in the conversation.

After the training they all prepared their land, most did one lima, clearing, mulching and digging potholes. Most made some compost but couldn’t cover the whole farm. It was then a big issue happened. The funds BHW sent to purchase bags of fertilizer were used by Martin to buy the bags, but he then got very sick. After paying for the fertilizer, he cannot remember where the bags are. So, the farmers were waiting but no fertilizer came. 

The yields they are seeing are not great as they have begun harvest. The only positive that they have seen is where they did apply compost, the plants look far better.  

Astrid who has finished her harvest said she got 5 bags from ½ lima where the compost was applied and less than 1 bag from the other 1½ lima she planted with no compost. 

Orphan Programme

Currently Martin says there are 96 orphans being sponsored, up from 53 last year.

We discussed that as the farming training gains momentum, the orphan funding will reduce, and they are in agreement with this. They are therefore not going to add any more orphans to the programme to compensate for the drop in funds.

Unfortunately, Standford was not present which meant I could not review all the funds spent, or confirm the orphan numbers or what grade they are in. 

Peter Kampelembi (orange shirt)

Peter is the son of Joseph who was the founder of this partnership. He was very well spoken in the meeting and has very good English. The people obviously respect him, and he is the one to investigate opening a new bank account.

Martin Kawina

Unfortunately, Martin is sadly no good and is only just functioning with speech and slow walking. His mind is very forgetful. His job as a deputy head principal has been suspended. It seems that the stroke he suffered a few years back has taken more toll. It has affected his ability to carry on running the Chisasa partnership, but he says he will continue to help wherever he can. 

Plans for the Future

The farmers are saying that it will be great to continue this programme, as they feel they haven’t had a chance to do it well practically yet. This year they will not re-run a farming training but are requesting some capital loan funds for farming inputs.

They are also going to open a new bank account for funds to be sent too.