We've held 9 Food Distributions at our Chikondi Community Center. Women wait in our courtyard, spaced out and with masks on, until it is their turn to receive the food bundle.
Our 10th Distribution was in our partnership village, Muchochoma Village, where we sent a bus load of staple foods, soap, sanitizer, and fertilizer for their crops. Life in the city is really tough right now, but this village is feeling the economic effects of COVID-19 even harder. We are in contact with our women there and will continue to help as needed.
In total, YOU have made it possible to provide food for 625 people so far!

Zambia is hurting.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zambia was already struggling economically. The details of the how/why is in this recent WSJ article.

Here's what it means for our women (and millions of others in Zambia): "At least 6.9 million of Zambia’s 17.4 million citizens don’t have sufficient food, up 290,000 from three months ago, according to the World Food Programme."

THIS is why we are holding Food Distributions, when we aren't an aid organization.
THIS is why we've been changing up our plans for this year.
THIS is why we need to care. Food insecurity is a real problem, and it doesn't look like it's getting better anytime soon.

We have plans in the works to create self-sustaining co-ops centered around food production, but unfortunately things like this take time. Until we can get a plan off the ground (figuring out details from thousands of miles away since we can't get there), we will keep taking care of our women in this way.

COVID-19 is spreading rapidly after a quiet and slow start in the country. Hospitals are nearing capacity, and there are reportedly only 4 laboratories testing for COVID-19 for the entire nation.

But there is still HOPE.

"My name is Martha Banda. I graduated in 2019. As to today, on behalf of the women of Chikondi, I really appreciate what you have done for us today, for remembering us. Thank you for the donation which you have given to us. It will go a long way during this pandemic that we are having here in our country. Thank you very much. May God bless you. Amen."

"Hello! My name is Sarah Zimba. We just want to appreciate all our helpers, those who have given us all the goods during this Coronavirus pandemic. Most of us have been depressed, naturally down. So we just want to appreciate you. We want to thank you for what you've done! We say thank you. Let the works of your hands be blessed. Thank you very much!"

"My name is Maureen Chanda. I graduated in 2019. I just really appreciate what you have done. You have shown love. Just like the name of the center is, Chikondi, it means love. Some like me, I was working. I'm no longer working. This food will go a long way for me during this pandemic. Continue with this work. Thank you so much."

"My name is James. I am jobless due to this crisis. This relief has come at a time to keep me from starving. Help has just come at a time when I was losing it because I have no money to support myself for now. Thanks for everything you've done for us and where you have brought us."

Our graduates are trained entrepreneurs. They are capable and smart and determined. But a crumbling economy and global pandemic are just too tough, even for the best resourced. We've felt it here. They're feeling it there, big time.

Let's keep remembering them. Remember our fellow humans in Zambia, in America, and around the world.
Thank you for giving HOPE and being a light in this dark time.

With Chikondi (Love),
Amy + the CiH Team

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