Contribution to international development report: 2018-2019

Chapter Three: Zambia

3.1 Introduction

Scotland has a long and historical connection to Zambia through Dr Livingstone and the Scottish medical missionaries; indeed Dr Livingstone’s heart remains buried at Chitambo, in Zambia’s Central Province.

The Scottish Government has continued to build upon Scotland’s historical relationship with Zambia and its people by supporting Zambia’s aim to achieve the SDGs. Scottish Government Minister for International Development Ben Macpherson visited Zambia in September 2018 to continue to develop the existing relationship between our countries, and to meet the Scottish Government’s implementing partners as these projects completed their first full 12 months.

Under our competitively awarded Zambia Development Programme 2017-22 there are six projects in Zambia totalling £6,289,536 being supported by the Scottish Government under our IDF, all of which completed their second year of activity in 2018-19:

• Health: CBM, for the PrevENT project: Community ear and hearing care and rehabilitation of disabling hearing loss; and First Aid Africa, for the Big First Aid Project Scotland, using ground-breaking technology to increase Zambia’s ability to respond to emergencies, while training the next generation of Zambian life savers;
• Education: Open University, for the Zambian Education School-based Training (ZEST) project, to improve the quality of primary school teaching and learning in Central Province by operationalising the Ministry of General Education’s teacher development strategy through a School Based Teacher Development Programme; and
• Sustainable Economic Development/Agriculture: SCIAF, to empower resource-poor rural communities in Central Province, Zambia by strengthening income security, fostering well-being of women and promoting renewable energy use; Christian Aid, to support and harness the potential of Small-scale Farmers/Entrepreneurs as Champions of Economic Development; and Gaia Education, to build the capacity of Zambian Youth to lead three districts in Central Province to more sustainable food and livelihood security and conservation action via Zambian Youth for Conservation, Agriculture and Livelihood Action! (ZYCALA).

Additionally, project grants are awarded under our Small Grants Programme for Zambia as a partner country – with details at Chapter Five and current Small Grants at Annex C.

Strengthening capacity is the second funding stream of our IDF, and provides funding to a number of peer-peer partnered institutions from Scotland and our partner countries. In Zambia, during 2018/19 we provided funding to support the following capacity strengthening initiatives:

• Police Scotland, now in the final year of their three year Programme of specialist training with the Zambian police force, for tackling gender-based violence and improving child protection, and supporting governance – in Zambia, Police Scotland work in Central Province which is consistent with the geographical location of our main Zambia Development Programme 2017-22;
• the Scotland Malawi Psychiatry Capacity Development Project, for consolidation of the project in Malawi and extension now to Zambia to support mental healthcare provision;
• the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland, for the Livingstone Fellowship Scheme to allow experienced doctors from Zambia to spend a year in Scotland receiving further training which they will then take back home to the benefit of their communities; and funding for further doctors to receive smaller fellowship grants;
• the Scottish Ambulance Service, towards supporting the development of Emergency Medical Care and improved patient care in Zambia: investing £50,000 of the IDF, the Scottish Government took forward a scoping exercise to test how Scotland might assist Zambia in partnership to develop its Emergency Medical Care and Ambulance Service; and
• the Social Enterprise Academy: in Zambia, the local partner establishing an SEA is BongoHive. BongoHive will join a franchise of world-wide SEAs connected into the SEA in Scotland – on a regional basis, Zambia sits in the SSA circle, with the SEAs in Malawi and Rwanda (also funded by Scottish Government) and South Africa: here and here.

For this 2018/19 Report we have again selected as case studies in this chapter just a few of the Zambia projects we support. All of our Zambia development assistance projects, however, are summarised in the Annexes to this Report (e.g. in Annex A), where there are also links to each project’s End Year Report.

3.2 Zambian Youth Conservation, Agriculture and Livelihood Action

3.2.1 Background

Covering much of the Zambia Central Province, the Miombo woodlands are home to a diverse ecosystem that includes antelopes, elephants, rhinos, giraffes… and bees! Its 8,500 plant species include the Brachystegia, Julbernardia and Isoberlinia trees, which provide an abundant source of nectar for bees. Chitambo, nestled in the Miombo woodlands, is where the Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone passed away in 1873. In fact, the first written records of Zambian beehives date back to 1854, when Livingstone described log and bark hives, suspended from branches, used by the Central Province people.

The Miombo woodlands support the livelihoods of 150 million people across the region including enterprising young people who are harnessing the woodlands and its natural resources to create a sustainable future for themselves. Some of them are engaged in the youth-focused “Zambian Youth for Conservation, Agriculture and Livelihood Action” (ZYCALA) project.

1 No Poverty

5 Gender Equality

8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

15 Life on Land

3.2.2 The Project

The project by Gaia Education, WWF Zambia and YEFI is empowering a generation of young farmers with a whole systems ecological design approach in conservation agriculture which includes organic demonstration gardens, poultry and, in particular, beekeeping. Wild honey has been collected and consumed across the region for centuries.

Due to cultural and social factors, beekeeping in Zambia has traditionally been a predominantly male occupation, however not in the ZYCALA project, where women are achieving surprising results. Working side by side, young women and men are joining efforts and learning the skills needed to monitor and manage the 174 occupied beehives the group has built.

3.2.3 Contribution to Development 2018–2019

As consumer demand for locally-sourced organic foods – including honey – increases in Zambia, so the ability of ZYCALA members to influence the producers and regenerative food growing practices of their districts has grown over the last two years. And the financial results have been promising. Utilising their recently acquired collective decision-making skills, youth groups are generating income through sales to then buy seeds for the next season or increase their animal stocks. Many are saving for their studies.

The project has adopted a ‘beyond-aid’ model of sustainable development. This approach promotes a shift in language and intention from ‘beneficiaries’ to stakeholders and partners. Gaia’s ZYCALA partners are now active in the decision-making process, shaping policies and cooperatives informed by their local needs. So, here is a project that will be contributing to Zambia’s current annual production of honey, worth over US$2 million a year and driven by an estimated 30,000 smallholder beekeepers selling 2,000 tonnes a year. ZYCALA honey production will be offered in both national and international markets from September this year.

The ZYCALA story is indicative of the new ways in which international development work is increasingly conducted. No longer passive recipients of aid, they instead seek new ways to fund development such as impact investing, crowdfunding, transparent giving, social enterprises and community-led cooperatives.

The ZYCALA team is also outward looking. The EU, the largest global consumer of honey, has strict food and safety regulations. Accounting for more than 20% of the total global consumption, the EU also buys the unique Miombo honey. The ZYCALA honey house is therefore being built to meet Zambian and EU regulations.

IDF Case Study 8: Zambian Youth for Conservation, Agriculture and Livelihood Action (ZYCALA)

As well as contributing to the SDGs – in particular SDG 1, which aims to end poverty and hunger, and SDG 15, which promotes life on land – the project is also empowering young women, SDG 5.

One young female ZYCALA member has commented: “I have learnt a lot about what it means to be a leader and how we as young people should lead initiatives such as conservation farming and beekeeping to redress generational cycles of poverty and malnutrition and create livelihood opportunities for ourselves.”

Giving young women – and men – the power to shape their own futures might be the most important legacy of ZYCALA.

3.3 Comic Relief – Levelling the Field: Action Aid, Girls’ Leadership Through Football

3.3.1 Background

ActionAid Zambia’s project is challenging the existing social norms and gender inequality that perpetuates Violence Against Women and Girls.

This Levelling the Field project is supporting 3,000 of the Zambia’s most vulnerable girls and young women to realise their right to a violence-free life, and opportunities for participation and leadership in schools and communities.

Football is used as an integral part of the programme, to enhance life skills and creatively engage with girls.

3.3.2 Contribution to Development 2018-19

During 2018/19, ActionAid’s Girls’ Leadership Through Football project within the Levelling the Field Programme enabled the following:

• 45 coaches trained as role models to facilitate girls’ empowerment using the SKILLZ street football curriculum and Human Rights based approach in the three project sites.
• Trained coaches rolled out school and community-based sessions on HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health to 810 adolescent girls and young women in the project sites.
• A four day Human Rights based Approach (HRBA) training was held for 19 GRS Zambia staff and coaches. The training was facilitated by ActionAid Staff, with the purpose of supporting the integration of the HRBA and Sports for development approach in the project during the three-year partnership.
• 15 media campaigns were held that focused on advocating on breaking gender stereotypes in Nakonde and Nalolo districts. These campaigns used community-based radios, with an estimated 2,000 listeners.
• Engagement meetings held with school authorities, sports associations and traditional leaders and trainings held for Mother Support Groups in Nalolo and Nakonde District to enhance their capacities in GBV mitigation and reporting of referrals within the project sites.

3.4 First Aid Africa – The Big First Aid Project

3.4.1 Background

The Big First Aid Project Scotland is increasing Zambia’s ability to respond to emergencies, while training the next generation of Zambian lifesavers.

3.4.2 Contribution to Development 2018-19

Following meetings with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Federation of Emergency Medicine (AFEM), First Aid Africa have agreed to lead on piloting a new, globally recognised community first aid course, in partnership with the Zambian Ministry of Health.

These multilateral organisations are not alone in recognising the benefits of First Aid Africa’s partnership-approach to emergency first aid and they have hosted or met with international experts from the US, Australia, Europe, and Africa over the past 12 months, as interest in their programme increases.

Particular highlights for First Aid Africa in 2018/19 have included running training for:

• anti-poaching units in Zambia’s national parks, the Zambia police service (in partnership with the Scottish Government funded Police Scotland work);
• low-income groups in Lusaka’s urban settlements; and
• community groups in Central Province.

First Aid Africa have continued their development of innovative technology, with their mobile first aid app being used at over 200 emergencies, and their Zambian partners having just taken delivery of Africa’s largest ever mobile solar array – increasing the country’s capacity to respond to major emergencies.

With their partners in the private sector, First Aid Africa have continued to maintain solar units in Chitambo District at three clinics and, in line with the beyond-aid agenda, they have developed commercial first aid training courses to ensure the long-term sustainability of the work initiated through this grant, utilising expertise from Scotland’s pre-hospital healthcare sector.

IDF Case Study 9: First Aid Africa – Chibombo Women’s Market – how a group of women in Zambia are responding to tragedy in their community

By Nalukui Siame, Country Manager for First Aid Africa in Zambia.

Emergencies occur everywhere regardless of the level of development or socio-economic circumstances.

For a community in Chibombo, located in Zambia’s central province, road traffic accidents are a common trend with the 142km tarred stretch connecting Lusaka and Kabwe being labelled an accident hotspot attracting government and international organisations’ attention.

While first aid care is applied at the scene of the accident to avoid death or severe disability, the common reaction from most passers-by and community members at an accident scene in Zambia is to immediately transport the casualty to the nearest health facility: in the case of Chibombo, Liteta Hospital or Kabwe General Hospital. This intervention, while highly commended by most, proved to pose more danger to the casualty than most people realize.

In response to this dilemma, First Aid Africa Zambia through funding from the Scottish Government, and in collaboration with the Zambian Government’s Vice-President’s office trained 100 women as first responders, with the training providing basic first aid skills in handling casualties at the scene of accident and evacuation to the nearest health facility.

The course was initially offered to women because their market stands are about eight metres away from the highway, which in most cases makes them first responders to the casualties but it also poses direct risk to their own safety as they conduct their business. This training was conducted over a period of two months at the local community Church Hall by First Aid Africa senior trainer Ellie Monsell, supported by Zambia Country Project Manager Nalukui Siame and Trainer Mutinta Phiri. Emergencies occur everywhere regardless of the level of development or socio-economic circumstances.

IDF Case Study 10: Collaboration between Friends of Chitambo, First Aid Africa and private company Synwavepower at Chitambo Hospital, Central Province

Chitambo District, in the north-east of Central Province in Zambia has a population of approximately 66,000, many of whom are severely deprived, scattered over a wide area, with poor infrastructure. Chitambo Hospital is a 100 bed district general hospital. A former Church of Scotland mission hospital, it was founded in memory of David Livingstone, who died in the area and whose heart remains buried at Chief Chitambo’s Village. It is now a Zambian government hospital with 13 rural health clinics (RHC), some as far away as 160km from the hospital, along rough dirt tracks, and outwith mobile phone network.

Scottish registered charity, Friends of Chitambo (FoCH) is closely connected at Chitambo and has been involved in health-related projects in the area since 2005. FoCH is funded under the Scottish Government’s Small Grants Programme, for the development of emergency response services in Chitambo District in central Zambia, including training for hospital and first responder staff, emergency call handler protocols and training.

Chitambo health leads alerted FoCH to urgent needs for communications technology, solar power and medical equipment. Solar power is particularly required in the maternity units, where otherwise the only lighting for deliveries is often hand-held torches. Maternal and neonatal mortality rates are many times higher than in UK.

A visit by Scottish Government officials and First Aid Africa (FAA) to Chitambo in February 2018 enabled full discussions with Hospital staff on their needs assessment. Following that visit, the Scottish Government allocated additional funding, administered by FAA, under their main Scottish Government Zambia Development Programme grant, for installation of solar power, and acquisition of essential equipment. The joint initiative underlined the benefits of collaboration between a Scottish Government large grant holder, a Small Grant holder and the Scottish Government itself.

For the solar panels, FAA next contacted Zambian company Synwavepower, who supplied the panels and agreed to install them at Chitambo Hospital and at remote Gibson and Chipundu RHC, in the nearby Bangwelu wetlands. This additional corporate social responsibility initiative by Synwavepower, partnering with FoCH and FAA, has ensured not only the installation being carried out for free, but the training of local staff at the hospital to maintain the panels in the future for long-term sustainability.

The funds also enabled extension of the emergency communications network in Chitambo District, including installation of additional Very High Frequency (VHF) radios in hospital, clinics and ambulances, giving emergency radio coverage over a 200km radius. Now all clinics, including the remotest Reuben RHC, on the Congo border (only reachable by boat and motor bike), can be contacted by radio or mobile phone in case of emergency.

Medical equipment needs were also prioritised by Chitambo Hospital staff and FoCH: sterilising unit (autoclave); x-ray processor; microbiology fridge; and electric Plaster of Paris cutter. Through the partnership of Chitambo Hospital, FoCH, FAA, Scottish Government and the United Churches of Zambia, the equipment was purchased and installed, with instructions for use and ongoing maintenance.

Scottish Government Minister for International Development, Ben Macpherson, said: “By ensuring a continuous supply of electricity for the hospital, this partnership will help countless people from Chitambo and the surrounding parts of Central Province in Zambia. By working with local businesses to share expertise, it is the Zambian communities themselves that will deliver long-lasting improvements to their medical care.”

Jo Vallis, FoCH, said: “This is an example of how co-operation between organisations can facilitate the delivery of help in a much-needed area”.

Sam Abrahams, CEO FAA, said: “Chitambo hospital serves tens of thousands of people in one of the most rural districts in Zambia. This project was about partnership, not pity. This is a story of how Zambian innovators are building a better future for their country, and utilising their friendship with Scotland to create lasting relationships and practical change. It’s about how collaboration, and funding from Scotland leveraged the might of Zambian business, international charities, and the local community. Scotland and Zambia are leading the way in showing that partnership, true partnership, can save lives.”