The Problem

The ZACTS School for Orphans and Vulnerable Children is located in Solwezi, and serves over 1,700 students. Many of these children come from low-income households and rely on the school for daily meals to stay healthy and focused in class. While the school receives support through child sponsorship and some government funding, it still lacks the resources needed to consistently provide meals for every student. This shortfall not only affects children’s ability to learn but also places additional strain on families who are already facing poverty and food insecurity.

At the same time, women in Solwezi face significant inequality despite playing a vital role in agriculture and household wellbeing. Although they make up the majority of the agricultural workforce, most lack legal rights to the land they farm and have limited access to credit, farming supplies, and training. These barriers make it difficult for women to grow their businesses, support their families, or improve their community.

The Project

To help address these challenges,  ZACTS started a farm on school grounds in 2018. Today, they grow vegetables, raise livestock, and farm fish, all to support student nutrition and reduce dependency on outside funding. Over time, this effort has grown into something even bigger: a way to empower women in the community.

In 2022, ZACTS launched two women’s agricultural cooperatives, giving 60 mothers of ZACTS students access to land and training in farming and business skills.  The impact has been remarkable, with students enjoying more nutritious meals grown on campus and many of the women earning an income for the first time in their lives.

Building on this success, ZACTS is launching a third women’s cooperative focused on greenhouse farming. This new facility will produce fruit, vegetable, and tree seedlings year-round, supplying the existing cooperatives and strengthening a growing, sustainable system that benefits both women and children.