Mukupa Writes

By Linda Mupemo In the heart of Chisamba District in Central Province is Chipembi Girls’ Secondary School, a learning institution well known for being the first ever Girls’ Secondary School in Zambia. The school which was founded in 1926 is run by the United Church of Zambia (UCZ). It is located 28 kilometers away from Chisamba Central Business District. Apart from being the pioneer of girl child education in the country, the school has farmed its way to stardom through its agricultural activities. On 16th October, 2023, Chipembi Girls’ School became the first secondary school in the country to host the World Food Day commemoration which was graced by heads of international organisations among them Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Country Representative Suze Filippini and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali. This added to the long list of the school’s many firsts. But that is not all! During the 2023 Agriculture and Commercial Show held in Lusaka, R

By Linda Mupemo L- R Oxfam Zambia Country Representative Yvonne Chibiya, Canada's Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, Chisamba District Administrative Officer Isaac Simwanza and Chisamba District Adolescent Health Focal Point Person Veronica Moonga   In conservative Zambia , it is a challenge for most parents or guardians to discuss matters of sexuality with their children. Considered a taboo in many circles, the topic is off limits for many, resulting in an information gap with regards to sexual health for many adolescents.  Little wonder most vulnerable populations such as adolescents, women and persons with disabilities have had scanty knowledge on their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). This has,  in turn,  led to rampant teen and unplanned pregnancies, poor reproductive health seeking behaviour and sexual violence among other vices.   Martha Phiri, an Adolescent Health Peer Educator at Liteta District Hospital in Chisamba District shares her experie

By Linda Mupemo Former Milenge District Commissioner Kunda Chibilo The late former Republican President Kenneth Kaunda may be gone but his legacy lives on across Zambia and globally.      Two years after his demise at 97 years old, residents of Milenge District in Luapula Province still have fond memories of the first president of the nation.    For Chief Sokontwe of the Ushi people in Milenge District, Dr. Kaunda's style of leadership which saw the 72 tribes united is one of the things he remembers him for.      Chief Sokontwe recalls that the late Dr. Kaunda ruled the country for 27 years without segregating any citizen on tribal or regional lines.      The Traditional Leader says unity is one of the virtues he has adopted in his leadership and accommodates everyone in his chiefdom.      "I ascended to the Sokontwe royal throne in 2020 and for the first time in the history of Milenge, I appointed a Tonga last year to head a village in my chiefdom

By Linda Mupemo             Picture for illustration purposes    Milenge District Food and Nutrition Officer Cephas Zulu says the department of Agriculture has made progress in setting up keyhole gardens in the area in a bid to promote good nutrition.  Mr. Zulu noted that keyhole gardens are a solution to the human-animal conflict which is hampering gardening in the district.  ZANIS reports that Mr. Zulu said some residents in the 15 agricultural camps have set up keyhole gardens at their homes.  He stated that keyhole gardens consist of raised beds and can be easily fenced hence livestock cannot graze the produce.  Mr. Zulu added that the organic manure used retains moisture in the soil all year round making them manageable off the rainy season.  "A keyhole garden is a raised bed which is at least two meters in diameter with a cutout area shaped like a keyhole, used to water the garden. The beds are made of layers of ash, soil and organic manure such as chicken droppings or ani