Skills for Life Centre in rural Zambia

We are delighted to inform you of recent developments at the Climate Resilience Centre, formerly the Skills for Life Centre. Thanks to your unwavering support, we have successfully fenced the property which was a crucial step in securing our site for future advancements.

Currently, our efforts are concentrated on raising the remaining funds needed to complete the first building, designated as the tailoring room. This facility is not merely a building; it represents an opportunity to provide crucial skills to children in rural Zambia, enabling them to build brighter futures. We anticpate being able to diretcly train 300 children a year at the tailoring room but many more will be able to access the reusable sanitary wear at the centre's convenient location.

A reminder of the importance of the Centre as we enter a new year!

Zambia is a country celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, but it faces significant challenges, especially in rural areas. Here are some key points highlighting the importance of the Climate Resilience Centre:

- Education in Rural Zambia: Approximately 60% of Zambia's population resides in rural regions where quality education is often scarce. Many children must travel extensive distances to attend school, frequently in substandard conditions.
- Youthful Population: With 46.8% of its population under the age of 15, Zambia has one of the world's youngest demographics. Equipping these young people with education and practical skills is essential for the country's future development.
- Economic Empowerment: Skills such as tailoring offer sustainable livelihood options, empowering young people and boosting the economic vitality of their communities.

Thanks to your ongoing support, the Climate Resilience Centre will serve as a transformative space, providing educational and vocational opportunities precisely where they are needed most.

## Plans for 2026

Looking to the future, we have ambitious plans for 2026. We aim to complete the tailoring room, allowing us to start the second phase of our project. A key element in our vision is the creation of the chaya tree garden, featuring 200 trees generously funded by Guernsey Overseas Aid. This garden will serve as a nursery for producing climate-resilient crops, including both exotic and indigenous superfoods.

Should our fundraising efforts prove successful, we also hope to commence the next stage of the Centre’s development by the end of the year, which includes constructing the IT room and an entrepreneurship room. These facilities will further our mission to equip young Zambians with the skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing world.

Our progress thus far is entirely attributable to you—our generous donors. Your contributions have been pivotal to our success, and we are deeply grateful for your continued commitment and belief in this transformative initiative. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for the children of Zambia.

Thank you once again for your incredible generosity and support.

The whole School Club Zambia team.

We will continue to keep you updated on the developments of the project. Your ongoing support is invaluable, and we are confident that together, we will achieve our shared vision.

We are extremely excited to share progress on the Skills for Life Centre in Sinazongwe. Thanks to your generous support, we have already raised funds to fence the new centre and have successfully drilled a borehole equipped with a solar-powered tank stand, ensuring a sustainable source of clean water for the centre. Additionally, with funding from Guernsey Overseas Aid, we will soon extend the borehole’s pipeline to the local community, enabling families from three nearby villages to access clean water conveniently from a pipe just outside the centre’s gate.

While these milestones mark significant achievements, we are still fundraising to build a dedicated tailoring room within the centre. This space will provide crucial training for 300 girls annually in tailoring and the production of reusable sanitary pads and period underwear—a vital intervention in this rural area of Zambia where less than 1 in 10 girls complete full secondary education, and teenage marriage rates are amongst the highest nationally.

Many girls currently miss school during their periods due to lack of menstrual products. Previous projects have demonstrated that supplying reusable pads reduces absenteeism by 44%, greatly increasing girls’ chances of staying in school. The tailoring room will serve as a central, accessible location for all partner schools, addressing current barriers such as costly and logistically challenging rented training spaces.

To date, we have raised £7,320 towards building costs including window frames, glass, door frames, and roofing. Sewing machines have been generously donated, and a training manual developed from earlier projects is ready. The need for this dedicated space was expressed strongly by girls at ten partner schools during focus groups, who seek a safe place to learn tailoring and produce menstrual hygiene items.

Since the programme began, over 1,300 girls and young women have been trained in making reusable pads, and 97 girls have gained tailoring skills. Completing the tailoring room will strengthen the sustainability of this initiative, reduce training costs, and expand our impact.

If you are able to donate today to help us reach our outstanding fundraising target of £4,380 for the tailoring room, we would be forever grateful. Your continued support is vital to empowering local girls, improving educational outcomes, and transforming lives in Sinazongwe and beyond.