The Mporokoso community programme
The Mporokoso community development programme is situated in the
north of Zambia, and reaches a total population of 31,500. The
chiefdom has also been hosting and supporting up to 25,000
Congolese refugees in the community. World Vision's partnership
with Mporokoso started in 2006 and is envisaged to continue until
2022, when the community will be fully equipped with the resources
and skills to take ownership of its own development. In the past
year, significant improvements have been made in the current focus
areas of food security, economic development, and HIV and AIDS
awareness and leadership development.
Issues covered: Food security and
economic development, and HIV and AIDS awareness
Updates on World Vision's work
Food security and economic development
- 8450 farmers were trained in modern farming methods and
supported with quality seeds, fruit tree seedlings and agricultural
implements to help improve production, and families' food security,
nutrition and household income.
- World Vision introduced alternative income-generating practices
to the community, such as bee keeping and fish farming, and
supported 50 households with quality bean seeds. As a result, 250
children who were in danger of dropping out of school because
parents couldn't afford school fees, remained in school as a high
bean crop yield ensured income for the families.
HIV and AIDS awareness
- 370 young people and children were educated on HIV and AIDS
prevention, care and support.
- Ten children's clubs were formed where children and young
people are trained in leadership and life skills, so they, too, can
participate in the development of their communities.
The Mporokoso community is in the seventh year of its development
journey with World Vision.
Life on
the ground in Mporokoso
Crop diversification results in better
nutrition
Francis' family no longer goes hungry,
thanks to his crop diversification farming programme.
Zambia has some of Africa's most fertile soil, yet the country
struggles to feed its people. In the Mporokoso community, small
farmer and World Vision volunteer, Francis, has been farming for
several years. A dependence on staple, rain-fed crops, such as
maize, and traditional farming methods, led to low crop yields.
Consequently, Francis, his wife and their seven children often had
only one meal a day. When two of Francis' children, Sky and
Oxillia, became sponsored by generous New Zealanders, Francis
started participating World Vision's disaster risk reduction
training, addressing issues of food security. Apart from receiving
training in modern farming techniques, such as the use of organic
fertiliser and irrigation, Francis also learned more about crop
diversification, and planted sweet potatoes, soya beans, millet and
sunflowers. "I have never grown such a variety of crops before", he
said. "This year, my family will not fall short of food until the
next season's harvest and we will have three meals a day," he
added. "I wish I knew about farm diversification before to avoid
the risk of low yields. There is no more lack, because of the
information I gained. Please continue to help our people to learn
how to fight poverty and its effects", said Francis.
Zambia at a glance
While rich in wildlife and scenery such as the spectacular
Victoria Falls, economically-speaking Zambia is one of the poorest
countries in the world. Contributing to Zambia's poverty is the
high rate of HIV and AIDS among its population.
