Zambia: School Health Education Program

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Zambia is one of the poorest nations in the world. With 1 in 5 people infected, Zambia is disproportionately affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections, multiple sexual relationships, low condom use, cultural practices, gender inequality and poverty have all contributed to the increasing numbers of people affected by HIV and AIDS

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Following a feasibility study, Barbara Chilangwa, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, invited SPW to set up a program in Zambia in January 2004. SPW is now working in full collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the District Education Board Secretaries and other stakeholders in the education sector to ensure that the SPW Zambia program is replicated and integrated as a deliberate policy in the Ministry's fight against HIV and AIDS.

Volunteers are…



• Based in primary and secondary schools in Central Province
• Placed in single-sex pairs (1 national and 1 international, or 2 national)
• Located in rural or semi-urban areas

Volunteers will be…



• Teaching timetabled, structured lessons for grades 5-12 covering topics such as teenage pregnancy, STIs, HIV and AIDS
• Utilizing non-formal and interactive techniques to develop life skills such as communication, assertiveness, self-esteem
• Organizing sports, performing arts and Youth Clubs with HIV and AIDS related themes
• Improving access to informative materials by developing or establishing youth resource centers
• Organizing and running awareness-raising events in cooperation with local government and health professionals and teachers

Case Study




“As I got used to life in Chipaata, so my students, my fellow teachers and the people in the surrounding communities gradually got used to my partner and me. It was hard in the beginning; our students were shy and not used to participating in interactive classes - particularly when talking about such delicate topics as sex, pregnancy and dating! By being open with the parents about everything we were teaching within the classrooms and communities, holding information sessions aimed at leaders within the communities, and opening a youth resource center as a focus for the hours of work with our students outside of the classroom, my partner and I slowly gained the cooperation, support, trust and respect of our community.” ~Louise Johnson, HEP Volunteer

Staff Support:



• 2 offices based in Lusaka and Kabwe
• Volunteers have 3 monthly meetings where assistant program coordinators provide support for any issues confronting volunteers on placement

Zambia: Teachers’ AIDS Action Program

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Volunteers are…



• Placed in urban or peri-urban areas in well-established teacher colleges of education
• Housed in teachers’ accommodations
• Placed on teams of 2-4 volunteers (1-2 international, 2-3 national)

Volunteers will be…



• Conducting sexual reproductive health and life skills seminars for classes at the teacher colleges
• Facilitating various clubs which develop the life skills of student teachers
• Engaging local organizations to respond to the needs of young people
• Establishing youth resource centers as safe spaces for student teachers and youth to access youth-friendly health information
• Working closely with student teachers to give them advice and experience in planning HIV and AIDS curriculum
• Organizing events and festivals with student teachers

Country Information




Background: Zambia is one of Africa's most peaceful countries, with some of the most stunning landscapes on the continent, including Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River and various National Parks that boast some of the finest safari camps in the whole of southern Africa. Vegetation ranges from dense woodland to open grassy plains.

Language: Bemba, though English is now the national language and is widely spoken

Religion: Two-thirds Christian, though many combine that with traditional animist beliefs

Food:

• Staple - a stiff porridge called nshima, commonly made from maize or sometimes sorghum. Nshima must always be served hot with a vegetable, bean, meat or fish dish or ndiwo (relish).
• Meat - meat and fish are difficult to buy in the communities
• Vegetarianism - accepted easily. Green vegetables include collard greens, known as rape in Zambia, cabbage, pumpkin and squash leaves, pea leaves, cassava leaves and bean leaves are common.
• Other - nshima is always accompanied by ndiwo (relish), which is often cooked with meat such as beef, goat, mutton, chicken, rabbit, antelope, monkey or alligator! Other types of ndiwo include fish, peanuts, peanut butter, wild mushrooms or beans and peas.

Read more here about Zambia’s cuisine and the importance of nshima.