UNDP approves K400, 000 for Kalumbila families

ABOUT K400, 000 has been approved by the United Nations Development programme (UNDP) to support 207 households in North Western-Province. In a statement issued to the Daily Nation by SkillShare Governance Support Foundation (SGSF) technical advisor government and management relations, Ms Niza Mushitu, said the money was granted to the foundation to support households in survival livelihoods in Chief Matebo’s area of Kalumbila District in North-western Province. Ms Mushitu said that under the project over 418 goats would be bought and handed to each of the 207 households in the area, and that the beneficiaries would also be trained in goat rearing and assisted in managing goats by way of treatment. She said foundation would also train beneficiaries in basic book keeping and governance and contribute a project vehicle, whilst the local community would contribute labour, materials and construct a local project office. And GEF Small Grants Programme National Coordinator Gertrude Chiholyonga said the one year project was aimed at introducing better livelihood mechanisms as opposed to surviving on means that depleted nature. “The aim of the project was to sensitise and empower the local population in Old Matebo and Kawize villages to use other means of survival and depart from the old practices of depleting nature such as charcoal burning,” Ms Chiholyonga said. Ms Chiholyonga said this at a meeting last Friday at old Matebo Village at which the foundation was unveiled as the UNDP local implementing partner. She commended the foundation for accepting to work with the local population and assured SGSF and UNDP support in the implementation process. Speaking at the same event SGSF chief technical advisor Charles Mushitu thanked the UNDP for having confidence in working with local organisations such as the foundation and assured the UN that his organisation would stick to their mandate. “Our Mandate as SGSF is to assist organisations perform better and it affords us pleasure today to be here to demonstrate what we teach. Despite the long distance involved, we shall see to it that we closely monitor the implementation of this project by both the local community and our officers,” Mr Mushitu said.