Lincoln East Rotary Club celebrated our Zambia Project by honoring three people with Paul Harris Fellows, Dr. John Casey, Robert (Bob) and Candy Campbell, who have contributed financially to the Zambia Nutrition Project. Besides these individuals contributing Lincoln East Rotary Foundation and many people from First Plymouth Church has contributed.
There are several members of the team who has been involved in the Zambia project since 2003 when it started through the Lincoln East Rotary Club. There has been funding from Lincoln East, Club 14, Omaha Suburban, Beatrice and other Rotary Clubs, besides individual donations, and First Plymouth Church.
Natalie Hahn, Club 14 spoke about the work that Chuck did when he first started the Zambia project. Natalie is a member of Club 14, but spent many years working in Africa for the United Nations, especially in Nigeria in Agriculture. Currently Club 14 works with UNMC Dental by providing dental supplies in Zambia.
Zambia is located in south central Africa. Chuck showed us a Children’s hospital (Batoda Hospital) where there is a wing called Bindi Ward for children. Lincoln East helped put a sink in the clinic that was started in 2006. Rotary clubs have helped get a blood count analyzer for the hospital. First Plymouth Sunday School children helped with getting garden tools for the people.
One of the first project was boreholes so that there was water for humans and animals. Today they use some of the water to grow their own fresh vegetables and get water for their animals. One of these places is Lifelae which is a dam and reservoir for water for gardens so they can grow their own fresh vegetables. Chuck showed us where they have started cooking classes, learning to crush food for babies and how to put a variety of foods on the table. The Nutrition project is one that they are currently focusing on, so a good variety of food makes a difference in a baby’s life. Many of the children are under nourished. They are keeping records on how much the baby weighs, and how much it has gained, takes measurements of the baby to see how much it has grown.
Rotary Insights
*Knowledge does not change behavior.
*It is essential to evaluate program.
*Collaboration is needed for success.
It takes team work and by working together you can accomplish success.
Five-Year Future Plans
They have added two new villages, and now have a project with 20 mothers each. They will continue with the water, agriculture and nutrient training. They would like to expand to six villages. They would continue to seek out other clubs for support, as well as, work on global grants through Rotary International.
Side Note: Chuck has made 11 trips to Zambia for either 2-weeks or 6-weeks since the project started in 2003.
Financial Basis
Chuck mentioned those that have committed to the five-year plan. They are: Lincoln East Rotary Club - $5,000 for five years; First Plymouth Church - $5,000 for five years; Dr. John Casey and Robert & Candy Campbell a total of $7,500 for five years. Chuck said they will be working to seek other funding to help meet the needs of this project and the people of Zambia.
Thanks Chuck for giving us an update!