Chikankata Ngangula Disabled Farmers Association, Zambia

This association is a cross-disability association of rural disabled small scale farmers in the Chikankata district, southern province of Zambia. The association comprises persons with disabilities, children of parents with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, those living with albinism and sympathisers. This is a unique voice of ordinary rural disabled people who have come together to champion the struggle for their social and economic independence. Our desire is a society where everyone is valued and given equal opportunities. The association is involved in the following activities:

1. Educational project: In the Chikankata district there is no specialised school to cater for children with disabilities. Nansenga primary school has established a special unit for children with disabilities, but due to lack of infrastructure, the school is only catering for children from within the nearby villages. The association is supporting this unit with educational materials for children who are blind or have a visual impairment with the support of our friends in Kenya Clovernook, an association of the blind and virtually impaired in Kenya
2. Goats pass on project: People’s process housing and poverty in Zambia bought an initial stock of goats for owners to improve the soil health and enhance productivity. Members are encouraged to pass on the first offspring to the next beneficiaries.
3. ICT project: Closing the gap UK donated two computers to reduce the digital divide among rural disabled people. This has given digital access to association members, but they call for more computers.
4. Reading glasses project: This project is supported by Brillen in Germany. We distribute free reading glasses to vulnerable members of our communities
5. Regenerative agriculture project trains farmers in regenerative agriculture with the support of Equipping Farmers International Zimbabwe’s regional office. It explores how to look after our planet and mitigate the impact of climate change
6. Disability Awareness project. We use the media and chess games in schools. The chess kits were received with support of Gift Chess USA
7. Mobility aids project: We are supported by Crutches Africa, a UK based charity organisation that helps with wheelchairs, crutches, canes and frames.
8. The Chikankata Skills Training Centre project aims to give members vocational skills to enable them to create opportunities for self-employment. Tools with a Mission (TWAM) in UK has donated some tools for use during training, more would be welcome.

8 Capacity building training project: The Human rights commission of Zambia trains our members in human rights for people with disabilities and uses the media to also raise public awareness.

According to Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities, in the Chikankata district alone there are about 2800 registered people with disabilities, not including children with disabilities. We call upon all to come forward and join hands with us.

Contact: Bosswell Mboozi, bmboozi65@gmail.com

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