Stories

Minga overcame drought and built a future for her children through farming
September 11, 2025 News

Minga overcame drought and built a future for her children through farming

Farming in the face of recurring droughts is never easy. For Minga, a 33-year-old single mother of three living in Meheba, the struggle to feed her family became even harder as climate change brought unpredictable rainfall and repeated crop failures. Despite these challenges, with support from Caritas Czech Republic, she has been able to turn her small farm into a thriving business that provides both food and income for her family.

Bees - an unexpected tool in the fight against poverty
May 11, 2025 Humanitární pomoc a rozvojová spolupráce Charity ČR

Bees - an unexpected tool in the fight against poverty

Every year on 20th May we celebrate World Bee Day. The importance of bees for the ecosystem and the food industry has long been known. But these insects are also a source of work and livelihoods in developing regions. For example in refugee settlements in Zambia, where dozens of refugees have started to make a living from beekeeping thanks to Caritas Czech Republic.

Two farmers in Zambia’s Western Province thrive despite drought, thanks to Caritas Czech Republic
April 8, 2025 Stories

Two farmers in Zambia’s Western Province thrive despite drought, thanks to Caritas Czech Republic

While many farmers across Zambia’s Western Province continue to face the harsh impacts of climate change and recurring droughts, some have managed to stand out—thanks to the practical, farmer-focused training and support provided by Caritas Czech Republic. We have trained 40,000 smallholder farmers across six districts in Western Province. Among them were Alick and Rueben, two dedicated farmers whose stories prove that with the right knowledge and tools, smallholder farming can still thrive—even in the face of adversity.

Banza fled the conflict in DR Congo to Zambia and found a new beginning through hairdressing
March 8, 2025 News

Banza fled the conflict in DR Congo to Zambia and found a new beginning through hairdressing

Fleeing from conflict and starting anew in a foreign land is never easy. For Banza, a 33-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, life took an unexpected turn when war forced her to leave behind everything she knew. Arriving in Zambia ten years ago, she hoped for stability, but new challenges awaited her. Thanks to the support from Caritas Czech Republic, Banza was able to turn her passion for hairdressing into a flourishing business.

I knew that if we did not escape, we would die, says Elody from Zambia, who started a new life with the help of Caritas Czech Republic
March 6, 2025 Humanitární pomoc a rozvojová spolupráce Charity ČR

I knew that if we did not escape, we would die, says Elody from Zambia, who started a new life with the help of Caritas Czech Republic

Only 19 years old, Elody comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where difficult life circumstances led her all the way to Zambia. Together with her sister, she was kidnapped by rebels who kept them in brutal conditions until they managed to escape. Today, in the Meheba refugee settlement, she runs her own small shop, takes care of her son, and inspires other women in her community. Her story shows that there is hope for a better life. Caritas Czech Republic played a part in helping her find that hope.