Glades Mulungu is a living icon. She is married to Herbert Mweetwa 55 years old. Together they have six children two girls and four boys. The 49 years old has managed to break the records of rural household living ramshackle not suitable for human habitation. She has proved that consistence, hard work and networking do pay off.

Before joining the women’s club Glades and her husband Herbert’s household was known to be one of the poorest and vulnerable who could not afford three meals a day as they survived through piece works.

In 2021 Glades joined Sabbabba Women club which is affiliated to Simaubi area Association and Choma District Women Development association (Choma DWA).

Simaubi area Association is undergoing rapid transformation because of Choma District Women association which has mobilized women into weaving baskets been sold to Coma museum, food processing and preserving, access to land ownership by women, livestock rearing and entrepreneurship due to orientation from We effect and partners.

“I am passionate about planting fruit trees, farming and gardening,” says Glades.

She got inspired after taking part in a We Effect Zambia, Zambia Land Alliance, Women for change and Heifer International Zambia through Choma District Women Association training session highlighting land lights, entrepreneurship, climate change, village banking and Agriculture value chains with an emphasis on including women as equal partners and decision makers.

Now Mweetwa shares how his wife become a redeemer after been trained by Choma DWA and partners with support from SIDA through We Effect Zambia while Heifer International Zambia provided technical support.

“I am one of those who were suffering, sleeping in a grass built and thatched shelter, like my wife explained, we did not have chickens or goats here at my yard but see now because of these women clubs, we have chickens, goats and we even have plenty of sunflower, cooking oil and livestock feed,” says Mweetwa.

Mweetwa challenged fellow men folk to allow their wives to join clubs if they want to improve their standard of living in their homesteads.

Glades now lives a happy life with her husband a situation that has cheered Mweetwa’s mother Christine Muchimba who never hesitated to share her experience of her children in her old age because of their dedication to hard work Glades joined women clubs where she received training in various fields.

The training highlighted sunflower’ uses and nutritional benefits to both livestock and the people. Glades began serving little money in the village bank and got her first share in December 2021 which she invested into farming with her husband and bought some goats.

In 2022/2023 farming season Glades and her husband Herbert recorded a good harvest which they sold to the national strategic food reserve agency FRA after securing enough food for their household consumption. Glades thanked SIDA, We effect Zambia, Heifer International Zambia, Choma District women association and partners for the training and material support.

“My vision is put up a borehole following my passion for gardening and tree planting for it will be our major source of income,” says Glades.