DAPP Zambia

11/07/2026

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

On Wednesday, 1 July 2026, DAPP Zambia handed over vocational skills starter-packs to graduates of the Children’s Town Youth Academy after undergoing a two-year rehabilitation and reintegration programme.

Through the Children's Town Youth Academy, DAPP Zambia works with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to take children from the street and provide them rehabilitation, education, vocational skills training, psychosocial support and family reintegration—helping them rebuild productive livelihoods.

The 35 children drawn from major cities including Lusaka, Kabwe and Ndola are trained in Agriculture, Metal Fabrication and Tailoring & Design at the Chibombo facility, equipping vulnerable youths with practical skills to earn a living and contribute to their communities positively.

“We believe that no child should be defined by their past or by the difficult circumstances they have experienced. Every child deserves a second chance, and more importantly, the opportunity to build a dignified future,” said DAPP Programmes Director, Mwansa Katunga in a speech read on his by behalf by Deputy Programmes Director, Alex Machaya in Ndola.

The starter packs valued at over K184-thousand include welding machines and fabrication equipment for Metal Fabrication graduates, sewing machines and tailoring materials for Tailoring & Design graduates, and poultry starter kits comprising 50 chicks per beneficiary, feed, medication, and other essential supplies for Agriculture graduates.

"These starter packs are not simply tools—they are opportunities. They represent hope, self-reliance, and the beginning of a new journey. Use them to build businesses, support your families, and become role models in your communities," he said.

Ndola District Commissioner, Precious Njekwa graced the hand over and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting vulnerable young people through skills development and economic empowerment.

“I wish to commend DAPP ZAMBIA for its continued contribution to youth empowerment, child protection and skills development. through programmes such as the youth academy, the organisation is complementing government efforts by equipping vulnerable young people with practical skills and helping them transition into productive members of society,” she said.

30/06/2026

𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
In Kawama, Mapalo, and Nkwazi in Ndola District, many young people face limited job opportunities while living in communities affected by waste, deforestation, and the growing impacts of climate change. These challenges not only damage the environment but also threaten the health and prospects of young people.

“The goal of DAPP Zambia Youth in Action project is to empower young people to take an active role in improving their livelihoods and the well-being of their communities. By focusing on environmental protection, youth health, and economic opportunities, the project helps young people see that they are not only beneficiaries of development but also key drivers of change,” said Mwansa Machachali, Project Leader.

Through the project, more than 2,400 young people are actively engaged in environmental and livelihood activities. These initiatives are improving the environment while also opening doors for income generation, leadership, and stronger youth participation in community development. As young people become more involved, they are discovering that protecting the environment can also create pathways for employment, entrepreneurship, and a more sustainable future.

“Through activities such as recycling, tree planting, and climate-smart practices, young people are gaining practical skills that help them protect the environment while also creating opportunities for income and personal growth. As they participate, they build confidence, leadership abilities, and a stronger sense of responsibility toward their communities,” Machachali added.

17/06/2026

15/06/2026

At Naluama Agricultural Camp in Mazabuka, WFP Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dragica Pajevic, met members of the KAKA Farmers Club, smallholder farmers supported through the Enhancing Livelihoods for Smallholder Agricultural Markets (ELSAM) project under the EU-supported Green Nexus programme.

The farmers shared how training in climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest handling and storage, nutrition and dietary diversity, financial literacy, savings group management, agroforestry, natural resource management, and market linkages is helping strengthen their resilience and livelihoods.

15/06/2026

𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞
In Ndola, young people are earning income by turning used clothes into useful products through the DAPP Zambia Clothes Value Addition Project. The project works with second-hand clothes and shoes that remain after sales cycles in DAPP Clothes and Shoes shops.

“Through the Clothes Value Addition Project, young people are working with second-hand clothes and shoes that remain after shop sales cycles. Instead of being thrown away, the clothes are sorted into two groups. Usable items are given to youth groups, while the remaining materials are passed on to recycling partners so that nothing ends up in the landfills,” said Mubita Mubita.

Before receiving the materials, youth groups are trained in cutting, sewing, repairing, and reshaping clothes and shoes into products for home use and sale.

“We do not want any piece of cloth or shoe to go to waste. Through the training, young people begin to see that these materials still have value and can be reused. Instead of throwing them away or burning them, they learn to repair, reshape, and turn them into items for home use or resale. In this way, they reduce waste while creating a source of income for themselves,” Mubita added.

After the training, old clothes are turned into bags, doormats, reusable sanitary pads, ribbons, and other items. Torn shoes are repaired and sold again. What was once treated as waste is now being used to support daily needs and small businesses.

“So far, about 20 youth groups have taken part in the training. Many have started earning income from the products they make. Some have also started small businesses, such as selling food and other items in their communities. The income helps them support themselves and their families,” he said.

The project is also helping to reduce waste in communities. Clothes that could have been burned or dumped are now reused or sent to recycling companies for further processing.

Members of the Group say the project has helped them learn new skills and start saving together.

“When we receive second-hand clothes from the DAPP Clothes Value Addition Project, we learn how to make products such as bonnets, ribbons, sanitary pads, and doormats. We sold seven doormats at the 2025 Zambia International Trade Fair and raised K1,050.00. Instead of sharing the money, we saved it in our group savings club so members can borrow and support their small businesses and families,” said Gift Kasongo.

12/06/2026

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍
“In 2025, I was taken in for care at the ZNS Chongwe Clinic with a high viral load of 25,850 copies/ml. My mother had hidden from me that I was HIV positive until I asked her for consent to test. This made it difficult for me to accept my status and consistently take medication,” said 22-year-old Grace Banda (not a real name).

Grace was identified at the age of 21 through the DAPP Total Control of the Epidemics (TCE) project operating from the Zambia National Service Camp Clinic in Chongwe District, 35 kilometres from Lusaka.

Grace received counselling, psychosocial support, and appointment reminders through the TRIO group and healthcare workers. A TRIO group is a support system made up of a client and two treatment supporters who help promote adherence, care, and healthy living.

Grace explained that although she had been taking medication since the age of seven, her mother told her it was for stomach problems and never disclosed that it was HIV treatment.

“My mother only revealed my HIV status after health workers accompanied me home to seek consent when I insisted on getting tested following a routine HIV awareness programme at school,” she said.

Grace later experienced stigma from peers at school, which caused her to stop attending clinic appointments and taking medication. However, through continuous support from healthcare workers, she received adherence counselling, psychosocial support, and regular appointment reminders.

She later reconciled with her mother, who, together with her sister, became part of the DAPP Zambia TRIO support group.

“At first, I thought my life had stopped. But with support from community health workers and family, I learned that I can live a normal life with medication. I am now healthy, and my viral load is suppressed to only 20 copies/ml after four months of consistent treatment. Even when I find a partner, I cannot transmit HIV to him,” she added.

High viral load among adolescent girls is often associated with stigma, fear of disclosure, treatment fatigue, school and work pressure, and missed clinic appointments.

08/06/2026

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥
Mapoma Primary School in Kachibiya District, Muchinga Province, has 700 pupils and 9 teachers. The school is 180 kilometers from the Great North Road, with poor roads and a limited network. Many children stop coming to school because of early marriages, early pregnancies, initiation ceremonies for girls called ‘Nachisungu,’ and fishing activities in the Mukasi River.

Kabamba Mulenga is a Grade 6 teacher at Mapoma Primary School and a graduate of DAPP Mkushi College of Education. At the college, student teachers learn how to work with families, involve the community, and support learners in school. He understood that teaching in the classroom alone would not solve the issues learners face.

“I noticed many of the learners were leaving school because of early marriages and teenage pregnancies, while others were helping their parents with fishing. Remembering my college community outreach experience, where we raised awareness about the social challenges the communities were facing. We listened to them as they spoke, worked with them shoulder to shoulder with families and local leaders, which helped us get closer to the reality and address these issues effectively. I decided to apply these lessons here,” Kabamba said.

“I began visiting homes to talk to parents about why sending their children to school is important. I also meet with the learners after school to explain why staying in school matters for their future. I don’t do this alone — I work together with the guidance and counseling teacher, and we involve the headmen to help organize meetings with parents. Seeing parents listen, discuss, and support their children reminds me why this work is important,” he added.

He also engaged the female teachers to talk with the girls about protecting themselves.

“We teach the girls to say no to men who may want to take advantage of them. We tell them to report anything wrong to their parents or a teacher. This is helping the girls understand how to stay safe and continue their education,” he explained.

Through these visits, discussions, and school activities, Kabamba noticed a change. Parents began supporting their children’s education more actively. Eight learners who had left school because of early pregnancies have returned to school, and others are showing a willingness to continue learning.

“Now we are seeing results. Children are coming back to school, and parents are helping with their learning. Teachers, parents, and the community are working together. This shows that when teachers use what they learned at college, involve parents, and guide learners, more children can stay in school and continue learning,” he said.

05/06/2026

𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.

DAPP Zambia is proud to be participating in the 2026 World Environment Day celebrations at Lusaka National Park.

As we join government institutions, partners, communities, and other stakeholders in commemorating this important day, we invite members of the public to visit our stand and learn more about our environmental and climate action initiatives across Zambia.

Through our work in environmental conservation, climate-smart agriculture, recycling, tree planting, environmental education, and sustainable livelihoods, DAPP Zambia continues to support communities in building a greener and more resilient future.

Join our team, explore community-driven solutions, and see how we can work together to support environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

📍 Visit the DAPP Zambia Stand at Lusaka National Park

Together, we can protect our environment and create a sustainable future for generations to come.

04/06/2026

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒
“Before joining the DAPP Youth in Action Project, I lacked confidence and did not know how to plan for my future. Today, I am able to run my own business, support my family and encourage other young people to believe in themselves,” said 18-year-old Winny Nankonje.

Winny is one of the young people benefiting from the DAPP Youth in Action Project in Ndola’s Kawama community, where many teenagers face poverty, limited opportunities and a lack of information.

Before joining the project, Winny depended entirely on her parents and had little knowledge about entrepreneurship, financial management, health or environmental protection. Although she dreamed of becoming independent and helping others, she did not know where to begin.

Through the DAPP Youth in Action Project, Winny participated in life skills training sessions where she learnt communication, leadership, decision-making, and self-esteem. The training helped her gain confidence and believe in her ability to shape her own future.

With support from the project, Winny received a starter pack which enabled her to start a small vegetable-growing business. Using the entrepreneurship skills, she acquired, she successfully managed the business and began generating income to meet her personal needs while also contributing to family expenses.

“The project taught me how to save money and manage my business well. Through the saving group, I learnt teamwork, responsibility and how to plan for the future,” she explained.

Winny joined a saving group formed through the project where she learnt financial management, savings and borrowing skills. Over time, she accumulated enough savings to expand her business by investing in small farming equipment and agricultural inputs.

Apart from entrepreneurship, Winny also benefited from adolescent health education sessions which covered personal hygiene, nutrition, reproductive health and disease prevention. She now shares health information with fellow teenagers and encourages them to make healthy decisions.

Winny also became actively involved in environmental conservation activities such as tree planting, community clean-up campaigns and environmental awareness meetings organised through the project.

“I have learnt that young people can make a difference in their communities if they are given the right support and opportunities,” she said.

Today, Winny is recognised in her community as a hardworking and confident young woman who is successfully running her business, saving regularly and promoting health and environmental awareness among other youths.
Community members have praised her leadership, determination and commitment to helping others improve their lives.

“DAPP Youth in Action Project has empowered me. Through its training, starter pack, village bank, health education and environmental activities, I have learnt to take care of myself, support my family and inspire other young people to believe in their dreams,” she added.

02/06/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
A child's smile can brighten a community. A child's dream can change the future.

Today, we celebrate the boys and girls whose courage, creativity, and hope remind us why our work matters. Children are not waiting to become important tomorrow—they are important today. Their voices deserve to be heard, their rights protected, and their potential nurtured.

Every classroom built, every book shared, every meal provided, and every act of kindness helps create a world where children can grow with confidence and dignity. When children are given opportunities to learn and thrive, they become the leaders, innovators, teachers, and change-makers of tomorrow.

On this International Children’s Day, let us continue creating spaces where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to dream without limits. Together, we can help build a future where every child has the chance to discover their strengths and achieve their aspirations.

Because when children flourish, communities prosper, and nations grow stronger.

As DAPP Zambia, we are engaged in child development, care, and protection through all our projects

Happy International Children’s Day 2026!