Kasanka Trust 
   Community Project

                      Unpaid "self-help" work
 to build a new clinic

THE LOCAL PEOPLE

Kasanka is located in the Kafinda area, under the traditional leadership of Chief Chitambo IV.  It was this Chief’s great grandfather who received David Livingstone on his deathbed, and a memorial stands today near the park marking the spot where the explorer died. About 60,000 people live in the area and survive by subsistence farming.  The predominant crops are millet, cassava and groundnuts, many of which are cultivated using traditional slash and burn farming techniques known locally as ‘chitemene’. Whilst some people keep goats, pigs and chickens, fish, either locally caught or traded is the main source of animal protein.  

 

 

ALTERNATIVES TO ILLEGAL HUNTING

The Kasanka Trust Community Project is dedicated to reducing poaching in the area by providing sustainable alternatives. The project is promoting more sustainable forms of agroforestry over the ‘chitemene’ system of farming and teaching alternatives to increase the amount of protein available. Villagers are also encouraged to seek income through activities such as craft making, vegetable gardening and chicken, rabbit and goat rearing.  

 

 

CONSERVATION AWARENESS

The Kasanka Trust is working with local conservation groups and women’s clubs to enhance conservation awareness.  Schoolchildren are participating by revamping their ‘Chongologo’ conservation clubs.  These clubs educate the students about natural resources and they enjoy various opportunities to share their knowledge with other community members. Educational drama tours are also conducted to carry the message to all areas.   

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Most importantly the local community is being encouraged to develop income generating projects through sustainable use of their natural resources including wildlife, fish, timber and other forest products in the ‘Game Management Area’ outside the national park. The area now has eight resource committees reporting to a central Community Resources Board for the Chiefdom.   
Kasanka Trust has is supporting the Community Resource Board by giving it 5% of its tourism revenue from Kasanka. This helps the community see a direct benefit from every visitor to the park and provides funding for small community projects.

Foundations for a new school

EDUCATION SUPPORT

1. Click here for information on the Chitambo Education Project

 

2. Amsterdam Lyceum pupils run for a Zambian Community Center 

 On 25th of April 2005 the Amsterdam Lyceum, a secondary school in the capital of the Netherlands, is organising a sponsored run as a contribution to a new community school and training centre in Zambia. The pupils, ranging from 12 to 18 years, will run in the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium. The students will collect money from their relatives and friends for each lap they run, to raise money for the building of the centre.

 The Olympic Stadium, in which the Olympic Games of 1928 were held, is supporting this activity by providing free access to their facilities.

 We are very pleased that the school and the Stadium are willing to contribute to the new building, planned to be realised in May 2006.

 Kasanka Trust would like to express its gratitude to both the Amsterdam Lyceum and the Olympic Stadium organisation for this contribution to develop the new centre. 

 The realisation of the Kapepa Community Centre can be followed through this site.

 

HEALTH