Southern Province

District population: 203,219
Communities where Plan works: 13
Sponsored children: Around 4,445

Mazabuka is located in the southern province and was the first district where Plan Zambia commenced operations in 1996.

The majority of Mazabuka inhabitants are predominantly small-scale farmers who live in hilly areas that are difficult to farm. Some villagers are also employed in adjoining commercial farms.

Plan’s programmes benefit more than 60% of the district population. 

Programme highlights

Maternal child health

Plan has invested in maternal and child health by building clinics and training volunteers who manage community health issues such as safe baby deliveries and health education. 

HIV and AIDS

Plan has contributed funds for voluntary testing and counselling to deal with the HIV and AIDS pandemic. We have also trained groups of peer educators who share information with community members on HIV infection prevention, care and support services.

Food security and income generation

After disease decimated most of the cattle in the area some years back, Plan partnered with Heifer International  to restock the animals on a pass-on basis from one family to another.  This was supplemented with seed provision for crop farming and training on livestock management and conservation farming. 

We have also introduced a village savings and loans project, which has led to community members  forming small businesses from the income generated from the project.

Children’s and community empowerment

Child marriages were common in Mazabuka but Plan has partnered with groups of adults and children to eradicate the problem. These include supporting child groups which raise awareness of child rights through radio and other media. We also support paralegal desks where people can report cases of child abuse and receive advice on follow-through procedures.

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