Response Network

Walking Down Memory Lane: A Journey Back to Response Network's Roots

Response Network Board Chairperson and Co-Founder, Hakon Spigseth, recently took a nostalgic journey back to where it all began, visiting Weston Siachongwe, Response Network's very first employee, at his home in Siulikwa Village.

The visit was filled with fond memories as the two reflected on the early days of Response Network—travelling from community to community, engaging traditional leaders and community members, and introducing the Self-Help Manual developed by Dr. Soli. Their shared experiences highlighted the humble beginnings and unwavering commitment that laid the foundation for the organization's growth and lasting impact.

The memory tour would not have been complete without a stop to visit Timothy, one of the first community volunteers. Timothy played a pivotal role in mobilizing communities and organizing meetings during the formative years of the organization. His dedication and tireless efforts were instrumental in building trust and fostering community participation in the self-help approach.

The journey also included a visit to Musanta Community School, where the Chairperson witnessed both the challenges and the promise of the future. Although the school currently has inadequate infrastructure, plans are underway to construct a 1×3 classroom block, which will significantly improve the learning environment for the children.

The visit served as a powerful reminder that Response Network's achievements have been built on the dedication of community members, volunteers, and staff working together over the years. As the organization continues to grow, it remains committed to the same values of community participation, self-reliance, and sustainable development that inspired its beginnings.

Today, we join the rest of the nation in celebrating the hardworking farmers whose dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment continue to drive Zambia's food security and economic growth.

Your tireless efforts nourish our communities, strengthen our economy, and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Happy Farmers' Day!

In the comment section share a photo of your of your farming activity and admin will give you a special mention.

Join us in congratulating our very own Kubala Girl, Memory Manyando!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Memory Manyando, a Response Network-sponsored girl under the Kubala Girls Sponsorship Programme, for her outstanding achievement at the Provincial JETS Competition held at Terry Schwarz Adventist Secondary School.

Representing Livingstone District against participants from 15 districts across the province, Memory emerged as 2nd Place in the Secondary Sustainable Systems & Environment category.

Her innovative project showcased a water reticulation system, demonstrating the processes of water collection, treatment, sedimentation, and distribution—highlighting practical solutions for sustainable water management.

Memory's achievement is a testament to the power of education, innovation, and determination. She has not only represented Livingstone District with distinction but has also made the entire Response Network family proud.

Congratulations, Memory! Your hard work, creativity, and passion inspire other girls to dream big, work hard, and believe in their potential. We wish you continued success in all your future endeavors.

The future is bright, and girls like Memory are leading the way!

Join us in extending a warm welcome to our Board Chairperson and Co-Founder, Mr. Hakon Spigseth.

Mr. Spigseth is no stranger to Zambia. Having lived in Livingstone for many years, he shares a special connection with our community and the people we serve.

We are delighted to welcome you back to Livingstone, welcome to Zambia, and welcome home to the Response Network family. Your continued leadership, commitment, and passion for empowering communities remain an inspiration to us all.

We wish you a pleasant and memorable stay as we continue working together to transform lives and strengthen communities.

Welcome, Chair Hakon! 🇿🇲🤝

Yesterday, the Response Network family came together at Bethani Acres Farm to celebrate and bid a heartfelt professional farewell to Frayor Chabauni, honoring an extraordinary legacy of 20 years of dedicated service.

Having served Response Network almost since its inception, before her retirement in December 2025, Frayor's contribution has been instrumental in shaping the organization into what it is today. It is impossible to tell the Response Network story without recognizing the commitment, passion, and unwavering dedication she brought throughout her two decades of service.

The farewell was filled with both celebration and emotion. Staff members shared heartfelt reflections on the privilege of working alongside Frayor, highlighting the lasting impact she had on their professional journeys through her mentorship, encouragement, and exemplary work ethic.

Reflecting on Frayor's remarkable service, Response Network Executive Director, Mr. Mutukwa Matengenya, remarked:

"Her presence reminded us that while work is important, kindness and humanity are equally important—a gift that not everyone possesses."

He further added:

"She demonstrated remarkable initiative and dedication beyond her administrative responsibilities."

As Frayor begins this new chapter, we extend our deepest gratitude for her invaluable contribution to Response Network and the countless lives she has touched over the past 20 years.

Thank you, Frayor Chabauni, for your exceptional service, commitment, and legacy. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you God's abundant blessings, good health, and every success in your retirement and future endeavors.

Once part of the Response Network family, always part of the family.

Strengthening Community Nutrition Through Local Champions

Response Network, through the LIFT Zambia Programme in partnership with the – Nutrition Department, successfully conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) for Community-Based Volunteers and Community Agro Facilitators (CAFs) in Mangonda Ward, Zimba District, and Kanchele Ward, Kazungula District.

The training brought together existing community structures, including volunteers recruited through local rural health centres and Response Network's Community Agro Facilitators, equipping them with practical knowledge and skills in:
1.Healthy cooking techniques
2.Balanced and diverse diets
3.Appropriate feeding practices
4.Safe food preparation and handling
5.Nutrition for healthier families

This initiative is part of our commitment to addressing malnutrition and diet-related health challenges by building the capacity of trusted community volunteers who will, in turn, share this knowledge with households across their communities.

By promoting food diversity, nutrition education, and safe food handling practices, these trained champions will help families make informed food choices, improve children's nutrition, and strengthen community wellbeing.

Together, we are creating healthier communities—one household at a time.

Reflect. Learn. Improve. Deliver.

This week, the Response Network Zambia team is coming together for our Internal Mid-Year Review—an important moment to pause, reflect, and evaluate the progress we have made during the first half of the year.

Together, we are reviewing the impact of our programmes, celebrating key milestones, and identifying challenges that require innovative solutions. Most importantly, we are using these insights to strengthen our service delivery and ensure that the communities we serve continue to receive meaningful, high-quality support.

At Response Network Zambia, we believe that regular reflection and learning are essential to creating lasting change. By evaluating our work, we can make informed decisions, improve our approaches, and maximize our impact for children, young people, and communities across Zambia.

Here's to a stronger second half of the year, driven by collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to transforming lives.

For too long, children at Namamba Community School in Kazungula learned under difficult conditions, limiting their ability to reach their full potential. Today, that story is changing.

Through the Rural Child Access to Education (RCATE) Project, Response Network and JCP Zambia of the Nowergian Church Aid and Dan Church Aid has delivered a 1x3 Classroom Block and 80 learner desks ,1 teachers house and ablution block, transforming the school into a safe, dignified, and inspiring place to learn.

This is more than a building. It is a place where dreams are nurtured, confidence is restored, and futures are being shaped.

Namamba Community School is just @1 of the 95 community schools constructed by Response Network Zambia under Self Help Facilitation as we work tirelessly to ensure that every child—regardless of where they are born—has access to quality education in a conducive learning environment.

Every classroom built is an investment in a child's future. Every desk delivered is a seat for hope. Together with our partners and communities, we are proving that education has the power to transform lives.

Because every child deserves the opportunity to learn, dream, and succeed.
www.responsenetwork.org

Today, we honor the heroes whose courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment shaped the Zambia we proudly call home.
Their legacy challenges us to build a nation founded on peace, unity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all.
At Response Network, we believe that nation-building is a shared responsibility. As we remember our heroes, we reaffirm our commitment to serving our communities with integrity, compassion, and a shared vision for a stronger, more inclusive Zambia.

Their sacrifice. Our responsibility. One Zambia, One Nation.

Strengthening Disability Inclusion in Our Work

Today, Response Network held an internal Disability Inclusion Workshop facilitated by Charity Malungo and Benson Tembo. The workshop aimed to enhance staff knowledge and understanding of disability inclusion, with a particular focus on the appropriate and respectful language to use when engaging with persons with disabilities, both in the workplace and within the communities we serve.

As a rural-based self-help facilitation organization, Response Network recognizes that inclusive development can only be achieved when everyone has equal opportunities to participate and benefit. The training provided practical guidance on disability-inclusive approaches and emphasized the importance of promoting dignity, respect, and equal participation for persons with disabilities.

The workshop also highlighted the need to integrate disability inclusion into all aspects of our development programming, ensuring that our projects and interventions are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of the communities we work with.

Response Network remains committed to fostering an inclusive organizational culture and strengthening its capacity to ensure that no one is left behind in the development process.