The New Jerusalem 'Kachele Village' project was set up in 2000 by NASAD (National Agenda for Social Advancement). Kachele Village is built on 500 acres of land, 120km North of Lusaka, held in trust by NASAD. This project is a registered Zambian charity (498318), administered by Mrs. Kathleen Harding MBE. The aim of the project is to support and improve the lives of the most vulnerable Group/Groups in our Society – the healthy children of leprosy invalids under the care of NASAD. The estimated population is 200 individuals, and 14 voluntary workers, with the provision for expansion in the future.
Reasons for the Project
The Government of Zambia wishes to integrate all leprosy invalids back into society, and close down the Invalid Compound in the grounds of the Liteta District Hospital, Chibombo District and as far as possible for these groups to return to their villages. This is easier said than done!
The stigma of Leprosy continues from generation to generation. These healthy children and many of their children too, have been born in the leper colony. They have nowhere to go! For the older generation, the leper invalids themselves who have resided in this Compound for the past forty to fifty years they have no village to return to and have lost touch with their own relatives from the time they were taken into the leper colony.
Effects of the Project
To date 10 families have taken up residence in their new houses and look forward to a bumper harvest of maize at the end of the rainy season (early April 2010).
Development
Preservation of Environment
This is high on NASAD’s priority of preservation of this unique 500-acre forest land. Organic farming will be taught, especially in the light of preserving the trees.
Primary School
Construction of 3 classrooms that welcomed 170 children at the opening of the new school years - January 2010.
On the 13th of May 2010, the classrooms donated by International Women's Clubthe was official handed over, along with the school uniforms (rustic - bottle green - beige) which were designed by a year 12 student in York, England. A Czech member of the IWCL has promised a donation of 50 pairs black canvas school shoes - sizes 4 - 7 however there are never enough of the larger sizes.
NASAD is registered with Zambia Educational Broadcasting Corporation/Lusaka for ‘School on the Air’. Natimwa learning centre is open to children from the 10 surrounding villages and at present caters for pre-primary to grade 6 with a maximum 25 pupils per class.
Secondary School
This development is within the Project Proposal but only after the Primary School is fully functional. The nearest secondary school is Chibombo – 22km north of Kachele Village. This school is already over-subscribed. There is serious need for another Secondary School in the district of Chibombo.
School Hall
This has been funded by 90-year old Mr. H B.Oza Chairman of Self-Reliance Encouragement Charitable Trust - a Zambian charity with specific interest in rural development. The hall was officially commissioned by the benefactors representitive Mr. Khuti on 17th September 2009.
Hammer Mill
This was the gift from friends in St. Andrews Church of England, Devon. Felicity Derry-Thomas - chairman of o/s (uk charity) was visiting NASAD in 2007 when she saw the suffering of villagers who walked up to 20km carrying a bag of corn for grinding. On return home, Felicity approached her fellowship an within a month funds were raised to construct a hammer mill and pruchase the equipment necessary including a 16HP generator for power in Kachele Village.
The hammer mill is run by a small dedicated team, residents in the village. They have been trained to service and maintain the equipment. This magnificent project was commissioned on 15th November 2007.
Additional donations added in memory of Peter Ellis who had worked in Zambia for 37 years.
Training Centre
It is envisaged facilities will be made available for:
- Tailoring
- Carpentry – furniture making
- Welding
- Business management.
- Bee keeping [the area is rich in wild bees]
In May 2010, a Zambian Agronomist will be contracted to teach farming skills to the 10 resident familes and in line with the policy of Kachele Village - peasant farmers from the 10 villagers will be invited to participate. This is envisaged through growing their own vegetables, fruit trees, seasonal crops and the care of chickens, pigs, bee-keeping and co-operative farming. Thus each family will generate income that will sustain them and bring about self-reliance and independence.
All these facilities will work towards encouraging the residents of Kachele Village to remain within the area and bring progress and further development to the entire District of Chibombo.
Boreholes
The first borehole was drilled in October 2004 to a depth of 38m and is operated by hand pump. Unfortunately this is on iron stone, giving metallic taste to the water that turns orange in colour after half an hour. It is not harmful to drink.
The second borehole was drilled in 2005 to a depth of 54m and operated by hand pump. In September 2008 a windmill was erected and a cement holding tank constructed on the near-by anthill. The windmill was a gift from Estelle Trust, England.
Mobile Clinc
Pastor Troy from Jacksonville, USA, spent 18 months converting and funishing a 40ft shipping container into a modern mobile clinic. This arrived in Zambia May 2009 and moved to its permanent site on 6 concrete pillers in Kachele Village in October 2009.
The Estelle Trust, UK, donated funds to construct a modern house immediately behind the mobile clinic for the retired nursing sister who will run the clinic.
Legal formalities are being followed by NASA for registration with the Medical Council of Zambia to run the mobile clinic. The facility will be available to all in a 25km radius.
Electricity
The next phase of the Project Proposal incorporates the introduction of electricity to the area. Planned in the scheme is the supply of electricity to Chankumba Primary School because supply will be taken from the transformer 10km south of Kachele Village running passed the Chankumba Primary School.
Clinic/Hospital
A 40ft container has been converted into a fully equipped mini-hospital and left the port of Mombassa [Kenya] for Lusaka, Zambia after its journey from Jacksonville, USA. This donation has come through the hands of Pastor Troy Dugan who designed and fitted the mobile clinic from funding received in America. This is the first of its kind in Africa and Pastor Troy hopes its success will spread to other countries on the Continent.
At the present time there is no clinic facility within the area. The nearest is Liteta District Hospital 10km south through the bush and 60km north to Kabwe General Hospital.
HIV/AIDS
NASAD is involved in the care of sufferers and trained community care workers regularly hold workshops to enlighten the people under NASAD care to the dangers as well as to treatment of sufferers.
A full time community care worker, with experience of this nature gained in his practical examinations in the UTH [University Teaching Hospital, Zambia] will be taking up residence in Kachele Village to tackle this enormous problem.
Many of the children coming to live in Kachele Village have been orphaned or have only one parent [usually the mother] as a result of this pandemic.
Sadly the successful AIDS Awareness Program set up by NASAD in 2005 came to an end in November 2006 due to lack of funds that were sourced solely by the Administrator of the Charity. As time moves forward the emphasis on HIV/AIDS Awareness seems to be dying!
Road
From Great North Road to Kachele Village there is 15km bush road. This was made into an all-weather gravel road in 2006/2007 by SHEMP [donation to Government for improvement of agricultural rural road development]. No machinery was involved as the scheme insists upon hand labor by local villagers.
Summary
When something belongs to you, pride of ownership immediately becomes the KEY to success, prosperity and happiness.
For these folk who were once despised and rejected by their relatives/villages/society they will ensure the pride created in Kachele Village will be the inheritance for their children for generations to come.
Intense farming activities will ensure food sufficiency. Skills training will provide profit-earning benefits for all members of the family. Prosperity is guaranteed.
Download the full Project Proposal here: Kachele Village Project Proposal.pdf