SSHJM Inclusive Development Programme Zambia

Empowering the next generation of climate leaders! 🌍

​Our Livelihoods Department recently completed hands-on Agroforestry Management training at Mbala Boardingschool and Chila School, laying the foundation for brand-new, student-led Climate-Smart Clubs!

​With crucial support from the NLW Fund and in alignment with the SSHJM-IDP mission, this initiative equips adolescents with practical tools to combat climate change head-on.

These clubs give young people a space to lead, innovate, and steward local ecosystems—answering the cry of the earth and planting seeds for a healthier, brighter future. 🌳✨
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A Story of Hope for Disability thought to be Volatile

When Dalisoul, a child with autism, joined Victor Braun Special Needs School 🏫, he couldn’t interact with other children.

“He would not interact with his friends at the children at school which made it difficult for us to integrate him in our learning sessions" said Ms Luundu a teacher at Victor Braun Special

Today, thanks to the school’s dedicated teachers, Dalisoul has made beautiful progress in toileting 🚻, feeding, social skills, and focus.

Through colouring 🎨, visualization, sensory technique and gentle guidance, he’s now completing tasks that once seemed impossible.

From small steps 🐾 to big impact, Victor Braun School is changing how we see disability in the len 🥽 of unique potential and not limitation.

Together, we’re building a more inclusive world 💙 by changing the conversation on disability.

Mpulungu Boarding Sn**ch the Trophy 🏆 to emerge as victor in Debate Competition

In the turn of event in battle of ideas 💡 and analytical perspective of the major causes of child marriages, learners at Mpulungu Boarding and Musende School went logger heads in the great battle of minds debate competition.

The debate that was hosted by Musende School saw debaters go all out to prove to their compatriots🪖, judges 👩‍⚖️, sceptics 🤔 cheerleaders 🩰 and most vividly their opponents 😡, that their argument was not only the best but rather the most viable.

The debate spectators 👓 not only witnessed the power of learners ability to stand in the court of law 📖 but rather their capabilities to research and present evidence to support their argument 😉.

From Dora Siliya's best selling book Minding My Father's Country to the Child Code Act, the debate was lite 🔥 with evidence based argument that made the judges and the moderator run 🏃‍♂️ for their money 💰.

As fate would have it 😌, Mpulungu Boarding School emerged victorious with a narrow score margin against Musende School 🏫.

These debates have proven that when adolescents are given a voice to speak 📣 on global matters like child marriages, they do not just speak but they set the tone 🔔, as trend setters by amplifying on what advocacy is, that is providing a voice to the voiceless.

SSHJM-IDP Hosts Community Dialogue on WASH Initiatives.

SSHJM-IDP has successfully rolled out a comprehensive WASH program in Mpulungu and Mbala, aimed at enhancing sanitation and hygiene practices among local communities.

The program drew a considerable turnout of community members, who benefited from educational discussions on vital hygiene practices such as handwashing after toilet use 🚻, a habit that has seen significant neglect, thereby increasing vulnerability to waterborne diseases like cholera.

The Livelihood Department took the lead in demonstrating to the community the simple yet effective method of constructing tip taps for handwashing. Moreover, the organization printed and distributed 350 IEC materials adorned with pictorial messages to facilitate better comprehension of WASH discussions among participants.

By undertaking this initiative, SSHJM-IDP reaffirms its commitment to fostering a safe and healthy environment, aligning with both the 'Keep Zambia Clean' national agenda and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, ultimately contributing to disease prevention through improved access to clean water and sanitation.

❤️ Every Child Deserves the Chance to Learn, Grow, and Shine❤️

At Victor Braun Sheltered Skills Training Centre, a hairdressing lesson is about so much more than styling hair; it's about building confidence, independence, and hope.

💇🏽‍♀️ Through this practical life skill, our learners with disabilities are:
✨ Learning personal hygiene and self-care.
✨ Developing social and communication skills.
✨ Building confidence and independence.
✨ Enjoying a therapeutic activity that supports their overall wellbeing.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Madam Jane Mwaba, a trained Agriculture Teacher whose passion and dedication have inspired her to share her hairdressing skills with our learners. Her commitment is helping transform lives, one lesson at a time.

At Victor Braun, we believe in nurturing abilities, not limitations, and creating opportunities for every child to reach their full potential.

💙 Together, we are empowering children to learn, grow, and shine.

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International Day of Deafblindness 👌

“I used to hide my son because of shame… but today I cry tears of joy.” the words of Annie a single mother living with a 6-year-old son called George who has deafblindness and physical disabilities.

For years, fear of stigma made Annie lock her son George indoors, away from the world.

But everything changed when George was enrolled at Victor Braun Inclusive School.

Through physiotherapy, tactile communication, and dedicated support, George is now smiling, learning to count, signalling his needs, and gaining strength to stand. He lights up when he recognises familiar scents and sounds.

From isolation to hope, George is a living testimony that disability is not inability.

On this special day, we celebrate every deafblind child and their families. Let us break the stigma, promote inclusion, and ensure no child is hidden or left behind.

Together, we can create a more inclusive world.
Support inclusive education. Show love to families living with children like George.

Our children at Sacred Hearts Convent School took an educational tour in Mpulungu district with an exciting moment to cheer and have fun at the lake shore. The day was a beautiful blend of sunshine in the hearts of our children whose academic break wasn't just a week spent home but a moment shared in childly excitement and memory building.

We thank our dedicated team of teachers and parents who took up this initiative and showed the world that education is beyond a classroom but can also take place in area that resembles not that of a traditional four walls but rather a place of relaxation, bus ride 🚌 songs 😀 and melody, filled with a blue sky, singing birds 🐦 and the blue waters of Lake Tanganika 🌊.

Here’s to learning, laughter, and growing together 🎓🎒

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THANK YOU FOR HELPING US BRING HOPE CLOSER TO HOME

IDP Zambia, in partnership with Bauleni Special Needs Project, is deeply grateful to all stakeholders, well-wishers, corporate leaders, and friends who joined us for our fundraising event to support the purchase of a school bus for learners with disabilities at Victor Braun Special School in Mbala District.

The event marked a significant milestone in our mission of reaching the furthest behind and ensuring that no one is left behind. Your presence, generosity, and commitment to inclusive education demonstrated the power of communities coming together to create meaningful change.

While we have not yet reached our fundraising target for the school bus, the support received has given us renewed hope and brought us one step closer to making this dream a reality.

For many children with disabilities in hard-to-reach areas, access to education remains a daily challenge. A school bus will not only provide transportation, it will also open doors to learning, opportunity, dignity, and a brighter future.

To everyone who contributed, attended, encouraged, and believed in this cause, thank you. Your support is already making a difference.

🙏 The journey is not over. We still need your help.
We invite individuals, businesses, organisations, and partners to join us in completing this important mission.

Together, we can ensure that every child, regardless of ability or location, has the opportunity to access quality education.
Every contribution counts.

Every child matters. Together, we are building a better tomorrow.