CHAZ greens Mpongwe

On the 7^th of April 2022, The Churches Health Association of Zambia – CHAZ launched a Tree Planting Project under the theme “Promoting Climate Smart Interventions” aimed at planting 1020 trees in Ibenga community, Mpongwe District at St. Theresa Mission Hospital.

The tree planting project is centred under three aspects; help improve climate change by reducing deforestation, nutrition value and providing shelter for group meetings.

Community members will gain nutrients in their bodies from the trees that will be planted as they will provide them with fruits.

The planting of trees project is one way of contributing towards a green climate and partnering with the community and all saving groups in Ibenga to in the planting of trees. The ommunity groups will also use the trees as shelters for their meetings.

Community Village Banking groups in Ibenga have welcomed the tree planting project.    

And guest of honour at the event, Mr. Zenzo Liboma, who is the Mpongwe District Forestry Officer, said the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment is glad to work with CHAZ on the tree plantation project in the district as there is need for a multi-sectoral engagement because the forestry department cannot win the fight against deforestation alone.

Mr. Liboma hoped to see the partnership with CHAZ for a better climate resilient district, extended to surrounding areas.

He further added that in the next tree planting exercise, should extend to other public institutions like rural health centers and schools.  

Village Banking Project

The Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), working in collaboration with Zambia National Commercial Bank plc (ZANACO) plc has continued to support Village Banking Groups under the Rural Financial Expansion Programme (RUFEP) funded project. 

The main goal of the project is to enhance Village Banker’s ability to access financial services through the use of mobile platforms. This in turn is expected to contribute to increasing rural financial inclusion while improving the livelihoods of the target beneficiaries.

Established in 2013, Village Banking Project was formed to support community health workers, health workers, and people living with HIV to create and improve financial saving and create  financial opportunities. The project has seen the formation of over 50 groups in Ibenga,  Mpongwe District.

Village Banking

Village Banking is an evolving micro-finance initiative distinguished by a combination of three characteristics; depth of outreach, a savings as well as credit component, and a participatory management structure at the community level. Village Banking programs tend to achieve a greater outreach than other sustainable micro-finance approaches. The financial products and delivery systems are structured and standardised to meet the needs of lower-income, less educated clients often living in remote and hard to reach areas. These populations have been traditionally excluded from mainstream financial services.