Zambia: Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has trained ten cooperatives of Chasefu District in entrepreneurship skills. The cooperatives were part of the Chasefu Association for Persons with Disabilities in the Chasefu District of Eastern Province
The persons with disabilities in the district have applauded ZDA for their initiative. ZDA Eastern Region Officer, Christopher Mvula also talked about the significance of the training initiative.
He said, “the entrepreneurship and financial literacy training conducted for persons with disabilities will help less privileged people in communities to enhance their capacity in conducting business.”
Mvula announced the development on the sidelines of a two day training workshop held at Emusa Day Secondary School in Chasefu.
He revealed, in his remarks that the topics covered included:
- Costing and pricing of products and services,
- production of quality products and services,
- financial fitness,
- marketing,
- Basic financial record keeping
- sources of finance.
Meanwhile, Chasefu District Commissioner, Jimmy Phiri said the government is currently implementing a decentralisation policy. The initiative will allow every citizen including people with disabilities to benefit from the constituency Development Fund (CDF) empowerment loans and grants.
After making this announcement District Commissioner Phiri advised cooperative members to unite and take part in the developmental agenda of the district. CDF initiative is aimed towards helping the various communities develop individually.
The community/constituency level development would ultimately culminate in the development of the district and country.
He appealed to the members to make tangible plans that would enhance their livelihood once they access CDF loans and grants as startups for their businesses. The people with disabilities will benefit tremendously from the initiative.
Meanwhile, Chasefu Association for Persons with Disabilities Coordinator, Jameson Miti appealed for a piece of land where the association can construct an office block.
Miti said the district currently has 5,931 registered persons with disabilities that needed support from different entities such as social welfare, community development and the council among others.