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Ambassador Visits Women’s Project in Zambia

On April 19th, 2011, the US Ambassador to Zambia, His Excellency Mark C. Storella paid a cordial visit to the USAID supported WEAVE project in Mpika District in Zambia.  WEAVE is a three-year women’s empowerment program being implemented by Nascent Solutions in Zambia. Its immediate goals are to:

– Increase the ability of 12,000 women affected by HIV/AIDS in Mpika District to start and run economically successful and sustainable small businesses.

– Improve the nutritional status of 1,500 vulnerable children under age 5.

Ambassador Storella was received at the Chikakala Health center by members of the WEAVE staff, the Country Director, the District Health Officer and the USAID team. The Ambassador was given a tour of the site, during which he asked pointed questions about the program’s implementation, the acquisition of data, medication and the challenge of meeting electrical and power needs. The Country Director fielded the Ambassador’s questions, and he was particularly happy to learn that Health Center used solar panels to sustain and maintain power.

Next the Ambassador visited the HEP packing site and assisted in packing and distributing HEPs to 25 mothers. He also viewed the PD/Hearth demo, with which he was favorably impressed. Ambassador Storella, also observed and assisted in feeding malnourished children who are enrollees in the PD/Hearth program.

At the end of his visit the Ambassador discussed some of the challenges of implementation with the staff, such as the overwhelming numbers of children in need of assistance. He commended the great community partnership and the efficient running of the program.