She is beaming with joy having invested in real assets after retiring from civil service with little success but now things have changed for the better. This is Florence Lukonge who is 66 years old. Florence resides in Choma’s Chandamali compound.

Florence is a retiree who had invested in groceries and houses for rentals but thieves block into her shop stealing all her life time investment. Her survival was hinged on renting out her shop and a few rooms while some houses remained incomplete when she retired.

“I always reckoned on my job in Government as Assistance fisheries officer to be food secure and to earn income but not any more since I have retired,” says Florence.

Later, she joined Madaliso yatu Women’s club from Choma Central Association an affiliate of Choma District development women’s Association (DWA) where she received proper training in entrepreneurship, village servings, land ownership, study circles, crop diversification and value addition.

In 2023/2024 farming season Florence received sunflower crop pack from We Effect Zambia through women economic empowerment project while Heifer International Zambia provided the technical support on how to manage the crops and on the need to pass on the gift to another beneficiary.

The effects of climate change that left many families helpless in Southern Province did not spare Florence’s crops such as sunflower, beans, tomatoes, vegetables and fruits.

Her dedication to learning and training provided to her by Heifer International Zambia motivated her to engage into village servings which helped her to be climate resilient as she invested some resources raised from shop and house rentals into village banking while using the other portion to provide food and other household needs.

This year, Florence has managed to construct a modern 1 x 3 iron thatched house and installed a complete ZESCO lighting system.

“I have just finished electrifying, plastering and putting windows on the last house waiting for tenants to occupy the house,” says Florence.

My target this year is to build a fish pond after sharing from village servings in December 2024,” says Florence.

In abide to eradicate the devastating effects of climate change Florence invested some of her resources in planting citrus fruits such mangoes, guavas, oranges lemons, bananas, sugar cane among others.

“I eat fruits, sale and share some with neighbors especially the aged have problems with sugar and BP among other illness,” says Florence.

The response by Florence to climate change by planting edible fruits is not only a source of income and medicine but also helps as a wind break to protect her roofs from been brown off during the times of the whirl wind.

Florence is enjoying the fresh air because the tries purifies the carbon dioxide she breaths out and produces oxygen which is very much need.

Despite her old age Florence appeals fresh, energetic and active because of the environmental management sustainability.

Her passion for nature conservation if emulated by 1000 families in Choma, this Provincial capital will not only be beautiful but also contribute to green economy and jobs creating especially for the youths who are energetic and roaming the streets.

Florence wishes to continue building houses for rentals following the vastness of her plot she acquired when she was in civil service in order to raise enough income to support her family’s livelihood.