Welcome to
SEPA ZAMBIA
serving communities
About SEPA Zambia
Save Environment and People Agency (SEPA) is a legally registered, non-profit Civil Society Organization that was founded in 2004 and registered in 2005. SEPA has a dedicated Board that provides technical and financial oversight to effectively manage the organization in line with principles of equity, transparency and accountability. Our annual operation budget is $200,000.
Our mandate is to transform rural communities by addressing the adverse effects of climate change, environmental sustainability and social enterprises that uplift social and economic status of vulnerable households. Through 15 years of our existence, SEPA has grown in leaps and bounds by improving advocacy and social accountability in rural communities and local chiefdoms to complement government efforts. Though SEPA has a national focus, its operations are mainly concentrated in North Western Province of Zambia where its Head Office is located in Zambezi District. Having operated in North western province for over 15 years in Chavuma, Kalumbila, Kasempa, Mufumbwe, Solwezi, Mushindamo, Manyinga and Zambezi districts working with women self-help groups, SEPA understands the vulnerability of local communities to the adverse effects of climate change and the importance of adaptation for livelihood resilience.
Overtime, the Organization has established structures at grassroots, district and provincial level to effectively implement projects to achieve desired outcomes. Our main stakeholders and collaboration partners under this Project include; District Forestry Officer (Ministry of Green Economy & Environment), Traditional Chiefs Council (Ishima Chiefdom), Ministry of Agriculture and other CSO like Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA) and UNCCD –UNEP CSO Zambia network partners.
SEPA relevant experience in implementing similar projects is demonstrated by the Promoting Land ownership in rural Communities Project funded by Irish Aid/Oxfam (€100,000) between 2019 to 2022 whose objective is to empower local communities in areas affected by deforestation due to extractive industries to demand their rights in the effective use and management and natural resources in 3 chiefdoms of Zambezi districts.
The main activities under this project are capacity building of Women clubs on Land Rights to ensure traditional leaders provide land to women under the customary land administration systems. The project is also supporting women clubs in alternative livelihood of non-timber forest products (i.e. improved Beekeeping and honey processing) to reduce deforestation.
Our achievements
SEPA has just completed advancing a community led action project to end deforestation due to Extractive Industries in Ishima Chiefdom of Zambezi District in Northwestern Province with funding from Action Aid Zambia. The main outcomes of the project were increased awareness for the targeted community members to demand for their rights to combat forest degradation caused by the Extractive Industries. This was very innovative as it was coupled by increased visibility through planting of 500 trees in 10 targeted schools and commemoration of World Environmental Day on 5 June 2022. The summary of achievements for the above project among others included increased reforestation activities through heightened trees planting in the district and increased sensitization on natural resources management through the use of translated materials in local languages.
SEPA has further gotten grants on two occasions to implement another project Scaling up of the Protection of International Waters (The Zambezi River 2017 – 2019) with funding through the GEF –SGP. This project resulted into massive planting of trees along the Zambezi river to protect the river human activities such as cutting trees along the river and gardening and pollution of water.
Mitigating the Twin Challenges of COVID-19 and Climate Change on Food and Nutrition Security
SEPA is implementing a project titled “Mitigating the Twin Challenges of COVID-19 and Climate Change on Food and Nutrition Security” in Northwestern Province of Zambia. The goal of the project is to strengthen the livelihood resilience of vulnerable households by addressing the impact of COVID-19 on food and nutrition security through the use of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies. The project targets 30 women in Kamwandi Village, Headman Itanda in Chief Mpidi of Zambezi East District. These women belong to a producer group, which includes youth and households headed by persons with disabilities. The project will benefit 30 beneficiaries( 26 female, 4 male) it is estimated that about 180 direct beneficiary(120 female and 60 male) will benefit from the project with other multiply effect to other communities within Impidi chiefdom, this will be achieved through establishment of a drip irrigation system for production crops and vegetable all year round. The project is funded by GEF/SGP-UNDP, Center for Trade Policy and Development(CTPD) provides oversight and monitoring for project implementation.
Drilling of borehole has been done to reduced community’s dependence on unsafe water sources from the Kabompo River which is also crocodile infested. The crocodiles are usually in conflict with communities especially women and girls who are usually caught as they go to fetch for water. The Headman Mr, Itanda indicates that, on average ten (10) lives are lost each year. Therefore, this is another unforeseen key result which has been achieved by the project as community members are now able to fetch for water from a safe source. Furthermore, the installation of the drip irrigation system on farm site will facilitate production of crops and vegetable all year round for household food security and income generation.
In addition, the project promoted gender equality by encouraging both men and women to share responsibilities and decision-making, challenging tradition and culture norms which hinders women from owning productive assets at household to activities implementation. In addition, the project has also brought about significant changes in community attitudes toward water management, climate-resilient farming and gender roles.
SEPA has facilitated the Mind-Set Shift Tool to engage beneficiaries. This is to ensure that beneficiaries have an open and flexible mindset to learn and adapt to new information. This will help sustain the project beyond completion.
In the area of knowledge management and sharing, SEPA has been posting on its face-book page as well as the Gef/SGP whats-app page all valuable information deemed to be shared with other stakeholders and partners. At district level stakeholders involved in the project such as the district commission’s office, the ministry of agriculture, department of water affair, local authority have been engaged during review meetings to share process and challenges , this has resulted into resolving the challenges that SEPA was facing on drilling the bore at the project site.
1. One of the key lessons learned during the project’s implementation has been the value of community involvement. Despite challenges, such as difficulties in drilling boreholes, the active engagement of the community was crucial in finding solutions. Partnerships with local authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Affairs, played an essential role in ensuring the project’s sustainability. These collaborations provided access to services and support, which will be critical to the project’s long-term success.
2. Challenges included difficulties with borehole drilling resulting into three dry boreholes, equipment failures and costly transportation to the remote project site. Prolonged drought further complicated efforts to access water, but the community’s resilience remains strong. So far three dry boreholes were drilled and the fourth one was successful at fifty (50) meters deep.
KASEMPA SENSITISATION
The sensitization in Kasempa started at the area called Muselepete market were the interaction was with the marketeers, marketers and the passersby. The sensitization was on women land rights and it started with drama which depicted a woman encouraging the husband for both of them to acquire the land and that woman have right also to own the land, which resulted in the man getting around as the culture does not allow the woman to own the land, the man thought it was just a way of his wife leaving him for another man. He was annoyed and started to fight with his over land right of woman. However, his friend came in and stopped the fight. The friend explained about the benefit of owning the land as both husband and wife. After explaining the
man understood and asked if they could disseminate the information in the community by going to the headman and the chief who was the custodian of the tradition.
After this dramatization of the family, the audience were excited and then the moderator madam Muke Maggie started a discussion with marketeers. Many questions were asked concerning the land, how to acquire it, woman said that they did not have land of their own. Ohers wanted to find out where they would take their cases as the council have possessed their land despite having the offer letters from the chief. Other admitted of having the land but the council have given the same land to about five people, hence they were asking where they could get help. The people wanted to find out where they can find the officers for SEPA as many had challenges with land After the sensitization at Muselepete, the sensitization was on the other part of Kasempa called Chikonkomene. A Place where there are mining activities but have an injunction has been ordered for the people involved in mining to stop. The community was mobilized and sensitization started. In Chikonkomene the sensitization started with drama and then the interaction with the community members who had gathered. In this area, the members showed up and eagerly wanted to find out about the process of acquiring land. They were concerned about their Land which was not entitled .the community wanted to find out where the officers were located in order to come and inquire more about the organization and what it does. The people said that the council has not provided the correct information and that no one has taken enough time hear their complaints. SAPE officers explained that they work in conjunction with council and other stalk holders. After an interesting encounter with residents, the sensitization ended.
SENSITIZATION IN KALUMBILA
The sensitization was done in area called Luvungu in Kalumbila which was attended by many community members .in Kalumbila the sensitization started was on women land rights and it started with drama which depicted a woman encouraging the husband for both of them to acquire the land and that woman have right also to own the land, which resulted in the man getting upset as the culture does not allow the woman to own the land, the man thought it was just a way of his wife leaving him for another man. He was annoyed and started to fight with his wife. However, his friend came in and stopped the fight. The friend explained about the benefit of owning the land as both husband and wife. After explaining the man understood and asked if they could disseminate the information in the community by going to the headman and the chief who was
the custodian of the tradition.
The audience were so excited to see the drama as applause and ululations were made during and after the drama. After the dramatization the real issues of land rights were brought in. madam Muke Maggie inquired from the audience what they learnt from the drama. One of the audience said that the drama was teaching us about the rights of both men and women to acquire the land.
The other one added that they are also teaching us that women have also the rights to own their land. In the audience a man said that all those who own the land are registered under the village book. However, we are learning that we should not just end in the village but also go further in acquiring the titled deed. It was also observed that most women in this area did not possess the land of their own, as when asked whether they have the land or not most of them said they do not have but their husbands had acquired the land. The community said that due to the names of people written in the village it was a challenge to talk about owning the land as most people feel comfortable to be in the village book.
The community said that SEPA coming to sensitize them is like opening their eyes. The only challenge they had was how they can contact SEPA. Mr. Kalolo an officer from SEPA added that SEPA has its coverage in North-western province and Kalumbila is one of them. He emphasized that the issue of land was very important and that in order for them to have land they have to acquire it now and secure by means of the title deed.
As if that was not enough, Madam Muke Maggie asked the members of the community if they had an issue with the mines company possessing their land. The members of the community responded by saying that some members of the Kalumbila had been displaced due to mining. The compensation was not enough as the mines company built very small houses and the money was not enough. Madam Muke reminded the members of the community that if they had acquired the title deed, they would have been paid adequate amount of money. Hence, the need for both the husband and wife to acquire land for many benefits. She asked them about the benefit of acquiring the land as depicted in the drama. In response members of the community said that according the drama the man and woman, once they acquire the land they can grow variety of crops on the piece of the land, they said that also, once you have the title deed the land becomes more valuable as you have the evidence that the land is yours and that you acquired it through legal means. The members of the community further said that once, both of you have the land ,if one was displace due to mining activities still one of you will still remain the land.
During the sensitization, the members of the community said that what will do about the market as the community of Luvungu they do not have a community market. In response the SEPA officer madam Muke said that they can apply under CDF so that the council can look at and if approved they a market can be built. She further said that as SEPA they work with various department of the government in order to give the correct information.
The community in Luvungu in Kalumbila was sensitized in women land rights and extractive, the sensitization was successfully carried out
Our Vision
Our Vision is to be the leading organization in the promotion of natural and sustainable eco-friendly environment in the region.
Our Mision
Our Mission is to promote sustainable use of natural resources and empower local communities and secure livelihoods for better quality of life through advocacy and enhancing innovative income generating opportunities.
Our Management
SEPA is managed by the Chief Executive Officer and CEO who reports to the Board of Directors. The CEO is assisted by The Programs Manager and Programs Officer to implement activities. The organization has qualified accountant who manages finances and prepares financial reports for both the organization and donors.
Our founder
She founded the organization in 2004 without any grant. her desire was to improve the lives of fellow women in rural areas. to promote sustainable use of the environment in rural communities around North Western Province and the country at large. In 2004 she started two Community Schools which are now government Schools namely: Malola and Nsangula Community Schools now Government Primary Schools. She would cover long distances on foot walking from one place to another to run her programs. Mailes has several skills and abilities. She is very good at community mobilization and networking.
She is highly skilled in community engagements at all levels. She has Seventeen (17) of years’ experience in Monitoring and Evaluation and above all in community development, planning and consultancy. Trainer in Gender Action Learning, Trainer in Green Job, Human rights activities in gender and Extractive Industries, trainer in Artisanal mining. Environment Activists, Feminist, One of the first Alumni in Artisanal mining in Zambia. She has planted over 3 Million trees since 2004, she is equally the focal point person in Zambia of WeCan /FAO Global network. Vice General Secretary of Pan African network for conservation and protection of African natural resources.
She was awarded Times Woman by Times of Zambia 1n 2010, She was also crowned ‘Woman of distinction’ by Radio Phoenix (Z) Ltd, 2009, in 2013, she was awarded as the Best Exhibitor, Best practice and best knowledge Climate Change, By GEF/UNDPGRZ/KEEPERZAMBIA 2020 In March she was Awarded a Woman who has Contributed to African Innovative Sustainable Environment on Wandari Maathai Day in Sera lion on 3rd March. On 19th September2020 she was awarded the best Community Leader by James Mwape Peer Awards in the USA.
She has presented Zambia at many forums around the world. Today, SEPA represents Zambian at the CSOs SADC GREAT GREEN INVIATIVE, AU – African Women Innovative Sustainable ( A- WISE) The first Civil Society woman in Zambian to seat on UNEP as an observer and her Excellency on the governing body. Focal point Person NAPD under the civil Society
Our Address
P. O Box 150027, Zambezi, Zambia