AID FOR ZAMBIA: WHY AND HOW

Zambia is one of the most peaceful countries in Africa but unfortunately, it is also one of the least developed. There is no question about the high poverty levels and the extremely bad conditions of living in some rural parts of Zambia. Although some growth in the country’s economy could be recorded recently, the life expectancy, adult literacy and avarage income rates of the majority of Zambians still remain low compared to other nations worldwide.

The 2009 Human Development Report (HDR) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ranks Zambia at no.164 out of 182 countries just before Eritrea (165) and after Ivory Coast (163). Norway being the richest on top of the list and Niger the poorest on the last place.

There is also no questioning the need for Aid in Zambia but seeing that Zambia and Africa as a whole has been hanging on a thread of Western Aid for decades now, it is only legitimate to ask how long this aid shall last before the thread is finally cut.

Why do we help? As a Non Governmental Organisation, we want to help not only because of the documented horrors or out of moral obligation. We have realised that generosity has very little to do with material help. It is about sharing feelings, interacting cultures and trading experience with each other. At Lifebridge, the donor and the receiver are on the same level – as partners working together to create a life worth living for all.

How do we help? By creating the infrastructure for a self-dependent community. We believe that long-term financial and social security of the poor communities we work with can only be sustained if all members of the community become actively involved in the various projects rather than feeding on hand-outs . We are also aware of the challenges that come with the management of such projects and this is why we are also partners with the government of Zambia in working to achieve our common goals.

The Aid Center in Kafue

In March 2004, a larger piece of land in Kasengele township, a rural part further south of Kafue was bought and construction of the Aid Center began.

By the end of 2005, most of the structure was complete and diverse programmes like HIV/AIDS awareness, Youth Empowerment and local outreach on the importance of Community Development were already being fully monitored by the Zambian board.

Soon, this center would become a local base where free basic education, medical care and further assistance could be attained by the underpriviledged. Other micro business endeavours like tailoring, block-making, carpentry, chicken-rearing etc. would follow to enable the community generate income and become financially self dependent.

online since 10-01-2010

update 16-02-2011

Wetter für KAFUE POLDER

Aid for Self-Aid

The beginning

In January 2001, Charles Manyema, a Zambian national living in Germany since 1991 and his wife Tanja formed a charity organisation for Zambia which they called Lifebridge. They were joined by a few other friends from Germany who supported them as they began fund raising for the organisation.

Their aim was to constuct an Aid Center for the underpriviledged and thereby offering them the opportunity to Self Aid through various development and life-sustaining projects. The vision to ferry help from one hemisphere to another and also promote understanding between two different cultures was born.

In 2004, a Zambian body was also formed with 12 initial members under the direction of Mr. Martin Nkhoma. Charles Manyema and Martin Nkhoma had been classmates and good friends at Libala Secondary School. They were now sharing the key roles in partnership and leadership of the project. The Zambian organisation was registered as an NGO with the Registrar of Societies there.

A few months prior to the registration, a piece of land for subsistence farming was acquired in the rural part of Kafue district. The local authorities of Kafue endorsed the project and the people of Kafue gladly welcomed it and immediately became active in the area of farming by growing maize, beans and other crops on the piece of land.

Lifebridge Zambia e.V.

The Aid Center in Kafue