Namanongo
Namanongo is a rural community located in Namanongo ward of Chief Bunda Bunda’s Chiefdom of the Soli people in Rufunsa district of Lusaka Province. The community is made up of 18 villages, however, only two villages are currently collaborating with ZGF. The two villages have a total of 95 households with an estimated population of 173. The community has one government-run clinic and two primary schools. Among the challenges the community faces include a poor communication network thus making it difficult to use services such as mobile money.
Further, the community is off the electricity grid, meaning the community members depend on charcoal and firewood for energy, with a few using solar energy. The main economic activity in the community is agriculture which includes farming and animal rearing, charcoal production and selling. Some few community members run small businesses or engage in piece works.
Collaborations with ZGF: In collaboration with ZGF, the community has set up a milling machine business and a solar powered business centre consisting of two deep freezers, one projector, one laptop and printer/scanner and hair clipper. Through the solar hub, the community provides services such as selling cold drinks, food storage, typing and printing and phone charging services. The community is also running a community borehole. The community has formed and registered an association called Tukumanine Development Association which oversees the running of the businesses. In addition, two saving groups have been set up to give the community members access to soft loans that they can use to boost their businesses.
Partner organisation: Tukumanine Development Association.