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Zambia Poverty
Alleviation Project
Host Club: Rotary Club of Lusaka, Zambia
2007-08

Country Background: Zambia is a Southern African country and is one of poorest countries in the world. 75% of Zambians live under $1 per day. Out of a population of 12 million, 20% are infected with HIV/AIDS. It is said that every Zambian is “either affected by or effected by HIV/AIDS”. This dreadful disease has left more than 200,000 children as orphans.
     One of the ironies in Zambia is that while the country is endowed with lakes and rivers, 70% of farmers have no access to irrigation facilities. Therefore, most of the marginal farmers cultivate their lands only during the rainy season, which is 4 months per year. The rest of year, their fields produce very little.

Project Description: P. K. Patnaik, a Past President of the Graham Rotary Club, visited Zambia on business in September, 2006. He spoke at the Rotary Club of Lusaka. During the meeting, the club discussed applying for a matching grant for a poverty alleviation project in the Kalomo District of Southern Zambia.

1. Foot Operated Irrigation Pumps (Treadle Pumps) The club has identified 3 villages in the Kalomo District with a combined population of 18,000 that have access to lakes and rivers. The project will donate 12 pumps with 600 ft of metal pipes per pump to each village council. The village council will rent the pumps to needy farmers at a very minimal fee so that they can irrigate their lands and produce crops

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year-around, thus improving their living standards. One Village Chief said that at present, a farmer with a family of 6 earns an average of $2 per day. With access to a treadle pump, he can earn five times that amount—a fairly decent living in Zambia. The rental fee will be enough to cover repair and maintenance costs.

2. Hammer Mills The club has identified two orphanages that are being operated by non-profit and church groups. The orphanages depend on charities for their operating costs. The club wants to help the orphanages with resources to generate income to partially defray operating costs. The idea is to donate one flour mill to each orphanage and set up it as a commercial venture. The local farmers will bring their corn, wheat, and rice for milling and thus the orphanage will generate an income.

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Cost: The total cost is $18,000. Rotary Clubs of Graham, Alamance Breakfast, Stratford, and Yadkin Valley are the international sponsors and Lusaka Rotary Club in Zambia is the host club. The Rotary Foundation has tentatively approved this project to be implemented in 2007-2008 Rotary year.

Submitted by P. K. Patnaik,
President of Graham Rotary Club, 2005-06

  

 

Other Service Projects
of the Graham Rotary Club

Zambia Poverty Alleviation

Katrina Assistance

Saheli Centers

Adopt a Highway

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It has been the way of Rotary
to focus thought
upon matters in which
members are in agreement,
rather than upon matters
in which they
are in disagreement.

— Paul Harris, Rotary Founder
© 2007 GRAHAM ROTARY, Graham, North Carolina, USA