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A talent in the bush Frederick Mbulwe is responsible for the Kasanka Trust Community Conservation Program. For many Zambians he is an old man but he disputes that fully. Having worked as a headmaster, an inspector of education and a project leader for the review of the national education policy, he is now officially retired. Frederick however is not planning to sit down. He wants to return something to his fellow country people who are less educated. For 70 percent of Zambian people earn less than one dollar per day. Kasanka Trust is proud of its employee with so many skills and experience who choose to have a life in the bush instead of having a more luxurious life in town. The Jellow Wildlife Fund of the Dutch Amersfoort Zoo contributes to the salary of Mr. Mbulwe.
Question: You have been working with the Kasanka Trust Community program for over 3 years now. What are you most proud of?
Most people in this area are poor and received little education. Zambia however is rich in natural resources. There is plenty of water and there is good soil, but despite that the people do not produce enough to eat. Many people do not know there are other ways, or how to apply them. We try to help with skills and knowledge of sustainable methods such as conservation farming and agroforestry. People here believe in withchcraft, there is a lot of jealousy in the community. If somebody is successful, the neighbour might be jealous and try to stop that person. As a local villager one has to be courageous to start something new. I am also very proud of the ‘reformed poachers’; a number of elderly men who quit their previous life as poachers and instead are now trying ot convince others of the importance of conservation. These men are much respected in our community, so advice coming from them is more acceptable. Mr. Kapukuta for example is over eighty years but he has managed to convince other village headmen to support conservation. Other ‘reformed poachers’ provide intelligence for the scouts which help them in law-enforcement.
Which moment in your conservation career impressed you most? I am lucky for having witnessed a lot of great events. Perhaps the parkvisits which we organise regularly are the most impressive. For many pupils experience their first ride in a motorcar in their life. Often it is also their first time to see a real forest with gigantic, fully grown trees and wild animals. Zambian school children do not live with wild nature anymore! I am also very proud of our chilli-farmers. Last year we inititated the production of chillies and chilli fences against crop-raiding by elephants. Our trial chilli-farmers have done well. They are a good example for other farmers and they provide a clear message: humans and animals can live together in the same area, provided we take some precautions.
What is your dream for the future? I would love to work together with an assistant. Now I organise all activities by myself. Together we can do more. It also provides the opportunity to share experience and knowledge. A connection to the internet would be a tremendous boost for the project: to improve communication and fundraising. I hope more local people will adopt sustainable agriculture, including schools. As for the future is with the youth!
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