ZAMBIA

Zambia is one of the poorest nations on earth. With 1 in 5 people infected, Zambia is one of the countries most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections, multiple sexual relationships, low condom use, cultural practices, gender inequality and poverty have all contributed to the increasing numbers of people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Following a feasibility study, Barbara Chilangwa, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, invited SPW to set up a programme in Zambia from January 2004. SPW is now working in full collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the District Education Board Secretaries and other stake-holders in the education sector, to ensure that the SPW Zambia programme is replicated and integrated as a deliberate policy in the Ministry's fight against HIV and AIDS.

Programme Facts:
Health Education Programme (HEP) - Working where?

• based in primary and secondary schools in Central Province
• January - August programme
• volunteers placed in mixed nationality, single-sex pairs or Zambian-only pairs
• schools vary in size from 200 to 1600 students
• schools may be in semi-urban areas or rural locations that are over 9 hours from the office by public transport
• volunteers undertake work in placement schools and at least one other 'extension school' usually within or nearby the community

Teachers AIDS Action Programme (TAAP) - Working where?

• based in teachers training colleges in Central, Northern and Copperbelt Provinces
• January - early December programme
• volunteers placed in mixed nationality, mixed-sex pairs or fours (1 international volunteer per partnership)
• Colleges vary in size but are located in urban areas and larger towns
• volunteers work closely with teacher trainers, lecturers as well as with local health centres and community-based groups 

There are five main areas of work that volunteers undertake in their community:

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Life Skills Lessons:

• teaching timetabled, structured lessons for grades 5 to 12 covering topics such as teenage pregnancy, STI's, HIV and AIDS (for HEP)
• Empowering teachers to have the confidence to cover topics such as teenage pregnancy, STI's, HIV and AIDS in their classroom (for TAAP) 
• utilising non-formal and interactive techniques to develop life skills such as communication, assertiveness, self-esteem

Extra-Curricular Activities:

• organising sports, performing arts and Youth Clubs with HIV/AIDS related themes

Youth Friendly Resource Centres:

• improving access to informative materials by acting as a distribution channel for resource producing organisations
• providing relaxed reading environments and informal counselling for pupils who wish to discuss sensitive issues with volunteers

Events and Activities:

• organising and running awareness raising events in cooperation with local government and religious leaders, health professionals and teachers (e.g. Health Days involving guest speakers, marches, dancing, singing and celebration!)

Capacity Building

• at the district, provincial and national level

CLICK HERE FOR A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTRY, PROGRAMME AND PLACEMENTS AVAILABLE

Case Study

As I got used to life in Chipaata, so my students, fellow teachers and people in the surrounding communities gradually got used to my partner and I. It was hard in the beginning; our students were shy and not used to participating in interactive classes - particularly when talking about such delicate topics as sex, pregnancy and dating! By being open with the parents about everything we were teaching within the classrooms and communities, by holding information sessions aimed at leaders within the communities, and by opening a Youth Resource Centre as a focus for the hours of work with our students outside of the classroom, Nzovwa and I slowly gained the cooperation, support, trust and respect of our community.

Louise Johnson, HEP Volunteer

Programme Structure:
Initial 4-week training period covering:

• teambuilding skills
• cross-cultural awareness
• basic development theory
• adolescent health issues (e.g. puberty, HIV/AIDS, gender issues)
• NFE (Non-formal Education) Techniques
• counselling skills
• monitoring and evaluation
• life as a volunteer
• language training

Placement stage 1 (2 weeks)

• orientation phase in school placements

Phase 2 training (2 weeks)
Placement stage 2 (6 months)
Mid-Term Review
Mid-placement training

• top-up training workshops throughout placement period

Staff Support:

• 2 offices based in Lusaka and Kabwe

Community Support:

• school provides basic accommodation with a reliable water source

Country Information

Background: Zambia is one of Africa's most peaceful countries, with some of the most stunning landscapes on the continent, including Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River and various National Parks that boast some of the finest safari camps in the whole of southern Africa. Vegetation ranges from dense woodland to open grassy plains.

Language: Bemba, though English is now the national language and is widely spoken

Religion: two-thirds Christian, though many combine that with traditional animist beliefs

Food:

• Staple - a stiff porridge called nshima, commonly made from maize or sometimes sorghum. Nshima must always be served hot with a vegetable, bean, meat or fish dish or ndiwo (relish)
• Meat - meat and fish is difficult to buy in the communities
• Vegetarianism - accepted easily. Green vegetables include collard greens, known as rape in Zambia, cabbage, pumpkin and squash leaves, pea leaves, cassava leaves and bean leaves
• Other - nshima is always accompanied by ndiwo (relish), which is often cooked with meat such as beef, goat, mutton, chicken, rabbit, antelope, monkey or alligator! Other types of ndiwo include fish, peanuts, peanut butter, wild mushrooms or beans and peas.

Read more here about Zambia’s cuisine and the importance of nshima.

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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPW ZAMBIA

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ZAMBIA TAAP PROGRAMME

1. Examples of activities of TAAP volunteers

2.Volunteer targets - TAAP

3.Job Description - TAAP volunteers

4.Ex-volunteer account