20 households in Chief Mapanza's chiefdom have been empowered with 144 chickens to reduce the devastating effects of climate change affecting many households in Choma districts.
The benefiting households are members of the Chisembwa women Association who have benefited through the pass on the gift concept from the initial 20 households from Twaagolama Women Association that were empowered by SIDA, WE EFFECT working with Heifer International through Choma District Women Association.
Choma district commissioner Gamela Sikaleya who witnessed the pass on the gift ceremony in chief Mapanza's Hamoonde area where each household benefited seven chickens, commended the community for expanding their livelihoods and urged them to engage into value addition.
Mr Sikaleya challenged Government departments with frontline desks in combating the effects of climate change like Agriculture, Livestock and community development to work with NGOs like We Effect, Heifer International Zambia and District Women Association in empowering households in the District.
He further thanked SIDA, We Effect, Heifer International Zambia and partners for supplementing Government efforts in providing alternative sources of livelihoods.
And Heifer International Zambia Director of programs Chabota Miyoba said women economic empowerment project through passing on the gift is a sustainable way of empowering rural households who graduate and become donors in their own communities.
Mr Miyoba thanked Twaagolama women Association for passing on the gift to Chisembwa women association after being empowered in 2023.
Speaking earlier Choma District Women Association Board chairperson Hilda Chifwala urged beneficiaries to take good care of the chicken.
Ms Chifwala said households should practice good livestock management and disease control if they are to rip the benefit and invested in goats and finally cattle.
She also urged women in rural areas to consider joining clubs and affiliate to Choma District Women Association if they are to benefit from economic empowerment targeting women and the youths.
Meanwhile Senior Headman Muyuni who represented Chief Mapanza acknowledge the impact of development among households affiliated to DWA.
Remember what God wants, blessed is the hand that give and those of you who have benefited, pass on the gift to others as well
Headman Muyuni
Headman Muyuni urged the beneficiary to ensure they pass on the good gesture to others in the Chiefdom.
Gallery
