FROM a small group of committed volunteers in 1986 to a community-driven force impacting thousands of lives, the Rotary Club of Nkwazi has marked 40 years of service.
Speaking during the anniversary celebrations in Lusaka on Saturday, club president Dr Brian Chituwo described Rotary as more than just an organisation but a family of volunteers whose mission is rooted in doing good for society.
Rotary, founded in Chicago in 1905, operates on four guiding principles that shape the conduct of its members.
He explained that these principles are not only applied in Rotary work but also in personal and professional life, making them a foundation for responsible citizenship.
The Rotary Club of Nkwazi was chartered on March 18, 1986 from the Rotary Club of Lusaka Central, beginning a journey that has since transformed communities through various interventions.
Over the years, the club has implemented projects ranging from bridge construction and sanitation upgrades in compounds like Ng’ombe to rehabilitation works in schools and hospitals.
Chituwo said one of the club’s most significant recent projects is a US$3 million medical equipment initiative to improve healthcare in 23 urban clinics across Lusaka.
He revealed that seven 40-foot containers carrying the equipment have already arrived, with another shipment expected soon.
The equipment, he noted, was procured based on specific needs identified by clinic staff to ensure effective service delivery.
Beyond healthcare, the club has also made strides in environmental conservation and agriculture through the Ngoma project in partnership with COMACO.
The initiative has empowered over 11,000 small-scale farmers with skills in conservation farming, while introducing alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping to reduce charcoal burning and poaching.
“We are giving communities a different way of living so they move away from destructive activities,” Dr Chituwo said.
“The effectiveness of a club is not about numbers but about the ability to implement impactful projects and pass on the baton.”
Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Rodney Sikumba commended the club for complementing government efforts, particularly in conservation and healthcare.
Sikumba said the Ngoma project near Kafue National Park is a key intervention helping to curb encroachment and illegal activities by offering communities sustainable livelihoods.
“These are the kinds of interventions that directly impact people’s lives,” Sikumba said.
He further praised the club’s US$3 million medical equipment donation, describing it as a major boost to Zambia’s healthcare system.
By George Musonda
Kalemba March 23, 2026
