Accomplishment:  Fostering a Culture of Care

It’s amazing what a difference new health-care facilities can make — especially in a country like Zambia where the extraordinary challenges of HIV and AIDS make it impossible to take health care for granted.

Fortunately, the tide is turning in Nakande.
The new Mwenyi Rural Health Post, which will serve thousands of people, is one of the most significant improvements in health care.
The people are taking full responsibility for staffing the centre — and this demonstrates their commitment and ownership of the work.

It’s projects like this that give people the confidence to stand on their own once World Vision leaves the area to help another community.

A stronger local response to HIV and AIDS also gives more reason to hope. Church leaders are showing the way by helping people start small, community-led businesses — like maize mills and a guest house — to support people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Good things like this are happening all over Nakande, and it bodes well for an independent future.

Accomplishment: Farmers Find Strength in Lean Times

Cosmos Njekwa’s is one of many good-news stories.

Cosmos (pictured with daughter Namakau, left, and son Namonda) is among hundreds of local farmers taking part in a winter maize-cropping project.

The project’s goal is to help stave off famine in an area where annual flooding destroys crops.

The farmers received treadle pumps to share, as well as training and a five-kilogram bag of seed each — and it has been a huge success.

The maize was ready for harvest before the rains came, and families have food for their children during the floods when food is scarce.
Cosmos even found winter cropping to be more profitable because fresh maize is scarce in winter and he can sell it for a higher price.
These days, he is a leading local farmer who has inspired others to give winter maize cropping a try. The result is improved community resilience to flooding, and a better life for children and families.

In Closing: Toward a Better Future for Zambians

As we near the end of our child sponsorship journey with the people of Nakande, we celebrate their commitment to building a better life for themselves and their children.

They have overcome many challenges. Today, the people have the tools and skills to continue working toward independence and sustainability. 

Over the past 13 years, World Vision has invested to strengthen leadership, build networks and organizations, improve infrastructure, and provide the resources that Nakande needs to continue its development journey.

The confidence to set and achieve their own development goals has brought tremendous change for families and children.   
This final phase is part of the lifecycle of a World Vision-supported community — one that, as hard as it is to end a relationship,  we can celebrate as the people move on to the next stage of their journey.

The example that Nakande has set gives us hope for other vulnerable communities, and we hope you will join us soon on another sponsorship journey.