General Meeting August 27, 2019

It was a lively reunion in Southern Sun, when DISA members met again after a two months winter/summer break. We were especially glad to find two new members in our midst: Daniel Bezuidenhout and Liz Murray. A warm welcome to both of you!

In the official part of the meeting we discussed our membership strategy as well as upcoming social and fundraising events planned for the second half of the term 2019-2020:

An Open Door event will be organized September 24, and our main yearly fundraising event, the Musical Sundowner, November 16. 

Taekwondo & Tai chi classes will take place Thursdays starting September 5, with some new exercises Chau has come up with to keep us all fit.  And there will be cooking classes, coffee mornings and visits to interesting places, of course.  We'll keep you posted!

Project Speaker: Mr. Kenneth Habaalu, Director of APTERS 

As speaker of the month we were happy to introduce Mr. Kenneth Habaalu from APTERS (Appropriate Paper Technology), a project that has been supported by DISA for many years. With our latest donation of materials they were able to produce assistive devices for 15 children.

Mr. Kenneth Habaalu (on the right) with his co-worker Mr. Thomas Mwiya

The organization was set up in 1990 by Mrs. Hinchcliff, a physiotherapist, and the then British High Commissioner's wife.  Using what she considered the cheapest recyclable material - paper - she got Kenneth Habaalu and Darius Banda to join her in a project that would ultimately change the lives of children with cerebral palsy.

Since those early days APTERS has been using paper-based technology techniques to make mobility aids for disabled children, e.g. those with cerebral palsy or birth injuries. The made-to-measure equipment includes standing frames, special chairs, wedges and walkers.

Furthermore, the organization offers economic and personal empowerment to the members of the APTERS team, who are physically challenged, through regular paid employment.

The organisation has no government funding but is self-sustaining, funded privately by e.g. various embassies, companies and organisations.

As a means to raise extra funds, they also make various papier mache products such as dustbins, toys, trays, magazine stands, necklaces, etc. which are available for sale to the public. You can find them at the Dutch Market every last Saturday of each month. And we were happy to find them at Southern Sun after our meeting - as you can see below!

Projects Supported by DISA

DISA's Projects Committee has the strategy of funding financially small scale, reliable and verifiable projects focusing on Zambians helping Zambians. Small grants allow DISA to spread help widely, reflecting different members' interests and avoid building dependence. We can do a lot of good with small amounts of money that help many in the community. DISA assists children, youth, women, adults or children with special needs, others at the discretion of the committee. For a project to be considered by DISA it needs to be reliable, verifiable, financially small scale.
Current projects supported by DISA:

1. Kafwa drop-in Center
2. Mutendere Chicken Cooperative
3. Ipusukilo Community School
4. Living Hope Foundation
5. Anchor Orphanage  
6. Nsansa Village Community Development Mission
7. Dedama Community School
8. Coptic Mission
9. Natubelenge Children's Library
10. APTERS, Appropriate Paper Technology

Kafwa Drop-in Center is located in Garden Compound and run by Auntie Rosemary. School construction began in 2016. From 2017 the classes are taught in 3 new classrooms. Library, dining room and kitchen need to be finished (no roof). There are 60 students from grade 0 to grade 7, 2 permanent teachers and 1 part time teacher. DISA donated new student desks, black board, table mats, drinking bucket, brazier, sponsored cost of repairing of several desks, etc 

Mutendere Chicken Cooperative is the co-op of single mothers of children with disabilities in Kanyama Compound. They raise and sell chicken. They sustain their families and send their children to school. DISA donated wire and fitting, chicken drinkers.

Ipusukilo (Great Hill) Community School is located in Ng'ombe Compound. DISA got involved with this project in 2017. The members donated the books, floor mats and three tables for the baby classes. 

Living Hope Foundation is a school and orphanage located between Roma Park and Garden Compound. DISA donated clothes, sewing machine, three sets of bunk beds, mattresses, mosquito nets.

Anchor Orphanage is a school and orphanage located in Chisamba District. It was founded in 2006 with 11 students. Now it has 79 orphans living and studying at the school for free. The donation of 500 bags of cement by Lafarge, support in transportation costs of the cement by DISA and financial aid for the roof by DISA and DC made it possible for Anchor Orphanage to start working on a building with two classrooms, a laboratory and some office space in 2017. Anchor Orphanage Inauguration took place on October 2, 2018.

Nsansa Village Community Development Mission is a rescue center for street boys. DISA donated sleeping mats, blankets, stove and gas bottle. Our members assisted in educating the staff and children on hygiene, household chores and growing vegetables garden.

Dedama Community School is located in Foxdale and run by Madam Edna. DISA members donated re-usable sanitary pads for the girls, toilet paper. DISA paid the cost for emptying and disinfecting the pit-latrines. 

Coptic Mission (Coptic Hospital) contacted DISA asking for help. A group of street women was hired to work at the construction site of the new hospital. the construction was nearly finished, the hospital sought new opportunities for the group in order to prevent them from returning to the street. DISA funded school fees. The women will pay back when they get jobs. The money will go back to the hospital for other initiatives. 

Natubelenge Children's Library was running every Saturday in the open air in Ndeke Village. DISA donated black board and chalks, books, floor mats. Our members visited to read the books to the children. In January 2019 the library moved into a building thanks to the help from Chinese Embassy.

The Completion of Kafwa Drop-in Center Roofing Project

DISA Zambia is proud to announce the completion of Kafwa Drop-in Center roofing project.
This project was supported by DISA members and LICHIFI Construction Ltd. The successful completion of this project help children to have a roofed library, kitchen, dining room, and sick bay.
We really appreciate DISA members' and LICHIFI's dedication to helping Kafwa.
This is a true example of social responsibility.

DISA members with Rosemary Mumba, the founder of Kafwa

Dining room entrance

Library entrance

Construction in progress, July 2019

On August 15, 2019 DISA's Projects Committee met at Taj Pamodzi Hotel. We had important discussions regarding DISA's involvement in our current projects. We ended our meeting saying our thanks and farewell to Hiroko Sasaki (moving back home to Japan). Hiroko was very active member of Projects Committee. She really made a big difference in the community. We wish Hiroko only success in her future endeavors.

Projects Committee members

Hiroko Sasaki (right) with DISA Chair Lady Ines de Biolley (left)

If you wish to make the difference and are interested in joining DISA's Projects Committee, please contact us by sending an email to: disazambia.projects@gmail.com

Invitation to DISA General Meeting August 27th, 2019

Dear members,
After two months with no general meetings, it is high time to catch up with friends and to hear what the committee is coming up with for the rest of the year!

You are warmly welcome to the next General Meeting, Tuesday 27th August at the Southern Sun Ridgeway Hotel. Refreshments will be available from 9:00 onward, and the meeting will start at 9:30.

Project speaker
Our speaker this month is Mr. Kenneth Habaalu from Apters (Appropriate Paper Technology). Apters is using paper to make assistive devises for disabled children, and it is one of the projects supported by DISA.

They make other products as well (eg. stools, magazine and book stands, etc.) which will be on display and which you can buy after the meeting.

Please bring any magazines you don't need any more, Apters can use them to make new products.

Looking forward to seeing you all again!