Sally Chiwama’s Weblog

By Sally Chiwama in Mporokoso

 
There is a proverb that says, “educate a woman and you educate the whole nation”. Given that women’s knowledge and participation in disaster situations has been critical to the survival of most communities, World Vision International (WVI) in Mwange Refugee camp have put in the fore front in the fight for a clean environment and climate change.

World Vision has developed practical tools that allow women refugees to incorporate gender equality and women’s participation in environmental and climate change initiatives.

 World Visions Agriculture and Natural Resource Coordinator for Mwange Project Alexie Lumbi said his organization was empowering refugees in the camp with agriculture skills and women were considered priority in most activities.

Lumbi told the Zambia Media Women Association (ZAMWA) that the refugees are empowered with a few farming implements and inputs to supplement the rations they receive from United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

 “We have even formed a community environment task force that includes all the implementing partners such UNHCR, HODI,  Zambia RED CROSS and WVI  and the host community has been put in place to foresee all the environmental issues and we have meeting every so often to brain storm on issues that are affecting our environment”, said Lumbi.

The refugees are empowered with skills such as land rehabilitation and tree planting and sensitized on use of natural resources. Lumbi also said that to motivate the community the WVI commemorates days such the World Environment Day and recognizes the efforts of their efforts by giving them tokens of appreciation and Certificates.

 The community told ZAMWA that they are happy with the skills they acquire as they know that when time comes for them to go back home they will carry the skills with them and teach their family and friends back home.

 Lumbi mentioned that one of the most successful projects was the use of the energy saving Mud Stoves that are used by the women in the homes. He explained that the mud stoves use very little firewood and are energy efficient, as they do not use a lot of wood. He added that women do not trek many times to fetch firewood and that close to 80% of the Mwange refugee camp use the mud stoves.

 Katele Salva a refugee trained environmental guide one of the beneficiaries of the trainings that WVI offers say that ever since she started using the energy saving mud stoves, she said that she has seen many advantages in using the stoves.

“I like using the mud stove because I do not have to go to the bush many times to fetch firewood, the fire last long, I can use it for two days and that means less trips to the bushes, also my pots don’t get dirty.” She said. Salva added that some of the things that she has learned as an environmental guide include preserving of the forest. She has since appreciated that woodcutting has lessened in the community.

 World Vision also emphasize that  when time comes to repatriate the refugees, the houses that have been vacated are demolished and trees or banana suckers are planted so that the land is not left bare when the refugees return to their respective countries.  

 Zambia is currently hosting close to 18,000 Congolese refugees in Mwange refugee camp situated 35 kilometers Southwest of Mporokoso District.