USAID-Funded Project Helps Reduce Multiple Sex Partners In Ndola

By Paul Shalala in Ndola

An HIV and AIDS project in Ndola’s Kawama area has helped reduced the level of multiple sexual partners by residents who have been under monitoring for five years.

The United States-funded COMPACT project helped residents form safe love and alcohol committees to promote safe sex and reduce the chances of HIV transmission.

At the close of the project on Wednesday last week, results showed that some people monitored had reduced the number of sexual partners in the five year period the project ran. 

At the close of the project on Wednesday, COMPACT Chief of Party Chabu Kangale revealed that most respondents in Kawama had reported a 10 percent reduction in multiple sexual partners in the past five years.

Mr Kangale also revealed that condom use had also increased in the area as a result of community workers who have been visiting bars and homes to sensitise people on safe sex.

Implemented by the Lusaka-based Population Council, the five-year project dubbed COMPACT, helped the community to have safe sex and reduce the number of sexual partners.

This was done through the creation of safe love clubs, alcohol committees, gender action groups and several others.

These groups of volunteers went around the community to sensiting people on their specific roles.

After five years, interesting results have come out.

"These results show that COMPACT had an impact on the way people behave sexually. We are happy that people are now adhering to guidelines that safe love clubs have given them," said Mr Kangale.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been spearheading behavioural change programs worldwide.

USAID Head of Community Health Jessica Heally said HIV transmissions can only be halted if people change their attitudes.

Ndola District Commissioner Rebby Chanda

"We are happy to note that condom use is on the increase. Now we need to also ensure that this situation is sustained," said Ms Heally.

Ndola District Commissioner Rabby Chanda, who was guest of honor at the closing ceremony for COMPACT project, called for the protection of the girl child.

"When you educate a girl, you educate the nation. I want to advise parents seated here to avoid marrying off their school-going girls. Allow them to complete schools and grow,"

More than three dozen volunteers were awarded certificate of participation for taking part in the COMPACT project.

With the close of the project, COMPACT handed over several tables, desks, chairs and a Toyota Hilux vehicle to the Ndola District Health Office to help in HIV prevention programs in the area.

Apart from Ndola, the COMPACT project was also implemented in Chongwe and Rufunsa Districts of Lusaka Province.

Kafue Retirees Shine At Provincial Agriculture Show

By Paul Shalala in Kafue

Khosa Stadium in Kafue District was yesterday a hive of activity as it hosted this year's Lusaka Province Agriculture and Commercial Show.

All the seven districts in Lusaka Province exhibited their agriculture products at the show including the newly created Chirundu, Shibuyunji and Rufunsa.

The private sector as well as government ministries and departments where also present.

Despite not being in the agricultural sector, the Anti-Corruption Commission exhibited at the show and sensitised show goers on the evils of corruption.

The commission mounted a Public Address system at the show and played various anti-graft messages which ranged from what corruption is to how to report suspicious activities.

Even the recently recapitalised Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia also pitched up at the show, showcasing its fertiliser products which are now being produced in Zambia for the first time in decades.

Kafue District Council Chairman Gibson Sinkala, who was the guest of honor, told show goers that this year, government had made strides in promoting agriculture in the sector.

"This year government has increased the Farmer Input Support allocation for Lusaka Province from 66,964 packs for maize to 77,626 to ensure that more small scale farmers benefit from the program and are freed from hunger," he said.

Several awards were given to deserving private companies, government departments, individuals, cooperatives and clubs which exhibited at the show.

The Kafue Retirees Association was the most awarded as they bagged two awards in the cooperatives category and the overall best stand award.

The newly created Shibuyunji District managed to get third prize in the productivity awards while the first prize was scooped by Lusaka District.

The Ministry of Community Development in Kafue District walked away with the best government ministries award while Kavinra Enterprises scooped the Small scale industries award.

The show was held under the theme: Breaking new grounds