IF there is one thing that the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Eagles Ladies Club prides itself in, is the ability to ensure that its women are empowered enough not to be too dependent on their husbands’ income.
This is obviously premised on the assumption that a wife, who according to the teachings of the Bible is her husband’s helper, could be able to play and fulfill the biblical role with ease, once empowered – and in this case, economically.
The club which was previously known as ZANASE Ladies Club before changing to Eagles Ladies Club, has been doing this for a long time. Some of the previous works it has done, include donating to the underprivileged in society and also to a number of orphanages.
Its long held belief is that every Zambian has an inescapable duty to make the lives of the underprivileged in society better. The club membership is made up of both civilian and uniformed female officers, living in the ZNS camps.
In its continued quest to make sure that the Eagles Ladies are those that add great value, to not only their homes, but also society, the club recently turned its attention to Chanyanya ZNS military camp in Kafue district.
For the women here, Precious Simasiku couldn’t tell their tale any better.
“Imagine a scenario where as a wife, you have no source of income apart from your husband’s salary. If it finishes, it means there won’t be any other money in the house and it becomes a problem to even buy things like cooking oil,” she says.
In order to change the scenario as explained by Mrs Simasiku, which may be relatable in most households, the Eagles Ladies in partnership with Impact Hub, embarked on a three-day intensive skills training programme for the Chanyanya ZNS camp Eagles Ladies.
The skill they learnt is fish and chicken smoking. It is hoped that the business that will be established around the acquired skill, will be viable and empowering enough to lift the women from a life of struggle.
The training culminated in a total of 63 women graduating, at a ceremony that was graced by Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare Doreen Mwamba.
“I am obviously overjoyed,” says Mrs Simasiku. “We shall make sure it progresses. The way we used to live is that, even if there is no money for cooking oil in the house, we would just sit and wait for our husbands to provide. But with this skill, we can use it to earn a little money, enough to supplement our husband’s earnings, for those small basic needs in a home.”
The practice of ‘smoking’ food has existed for many years. The exact story behind the discovery of this process is not entirely clear, but it is understood that it was one of the earliest techniques to help preserve meat and fish. Today, this technique is largely all about enhancing its flavour and colour - and when it’s done right, the results are said to be superb.
But looking at its market, Eagles Ladies Club patron Angela Solochi says the club is committed to supplement government’s poverty reduction drive at both community and household level.
“Through selfless and collaborative efforts of our various partners and stakeholders, today we have a team of enterprising women that is ready to be a major player in the food value chain not only in Kafue but beyond,” she said.
Mrs Solochi is confident that the business they are establishing around the acquired skills will be viable and empowering enough to lift the women from lives of struggle.
“The decision [to train the women in fish and chicken smoking] was arrived at after undertaking a market sounding survey which revealed very encouraging results,” she said.
Theresa Mutaka is the one that was conducting the training. She says the skill is sufficient to propel the women to financial stability, if taken seriously. “It was a wonderful three days and I am confident that they will put the skill to good use,” she says.
The three day training started on May 25 and ended on May 28. Impact Hub chief executive officer Eunice Siakachoma said there is no better way to celebrate an African woman’s freedom than training them a life skill that benefits many.
“This is how these women here have decided to celebrate Africa Freedom Day. An independent woman is a free woman and there is no better way to tell that story than empowering them and knowing too well that a lot of people are going to benefit from the knowledge,” she said.
Ms Mwamba on the other hand commended the Eagles Ladies for the gesture. She has also challenged the ladies to make sure that the Eagles Ladies’ smoked, packaged and branded fish and chickens will be on the market – especially Choppies who have expressed willingness to stock them.
Zanaco Bank has pledged to offer free financial literacy to the group. This is in order to enable the women manage both the business and funds properly.
“We are in a hurry to serve as an inspiration to many other women groups. Government therefore challenges you to quickly put to enterprising use what you have been imparted with,” she said.
Ms Mwamba has since appealed to the ZNS command to consider allocating a portion of land to the enterprising club which can be utilised for various enhanced productions.
Recently, President Hakainde Hichilema called on chain stores to stock more local products in an effort to help boost local businesses and grow the local industry for onward job creation.
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