By Voice Vingo

OPAD (Organization for the promotion of meaningful development through active participation) was formed in 2003 and registered as a not for profit, non-governmental organization. OPAD is an associate member of the Institute of Cultural Affairs International and through it is linked to 34 similar organizations throughout the world. Its main mission is to improve people’s livelihoods by ensuring that the poor have a voice; that they have access and control over their own resources and are able to participate in their own sustainable development. OPAD sees its role as catalytic through facilitating processes and methods that enable local people to take responsibility for their own development. Current activities include promotion of environmentally friendly agricultural practices, agro forestry, seed entrepreneurship, business development and capacity building for local communities.

Evaluations, mid- term reviews and recent external impact assessments have shown positive changes in food security; reduction in use of detrimental coping strategies such as charcoal burning and indiscriminate cutting of trees; families becoming more food secure and increases in the number of meals per day; increases in income among target groups due to sustainable farming and business; and increased women participation. Operational areas are Northern Province (Mpika), Lusaka Province (Kafue District), Central Province (Chibombo and Kapiri Districts) and Southern Province (Mazabuka District).

OPAD has a board which is responsible for the formulation of policies. The current OPAD Board consists of people of diverse skills and backgrounds: an agriculturalist, an economist, civil engineer, a draftsman, a pastor, business woman, a prosecutor and a farmer. During the first 3 years, a number of key documents were put together which included the Strategic plan, constitution, HIV/AIDS policy, Socialization and Accounting manual and a number of training manuals to help with project implementation. OPAD has always had its financial books audited at both project and organizational level. Quarterly financial reports are given to the Board on a quarterly basis during Board and Staff meetings.

2. Target Group

Through wealth ranking OPAD gets its target groups from among the poorest of the poor and the poor. They are as follows:

-  Vulnerable Women and Children
-  Widows, orphans and the disabled
-  PLWHA and families severely affected by    HIV/AIDS
-  Youth
-  Small scale farmers (both men and women)

3. Project

3.1 LITETA Project (Local Initiative: Training for Entrepreneurship, Transformation and Agriculture)
This project is in its third year and so far all the targeted 2,000 households have been reached with 60% being women. The project is using the Self Help Approach in mobilizing groups and in savings mobilization. Three apex bodies have been formed called Cluster Level Associations that manage the affairs of the Self Help Groups. The project covers business development, image change for transformation, HIV/AIDS and agriculture.
3.2 Seed Entrepreneurship for Economic Development and Food Security (SEEDFS)
This project in 10 districts of Zambia promotes local seed production. OPAD is responsible for three Districts. This is a two-year project with target group of 6,000 farmers. It is a direct response to food shortages at the local level and overdependence by farmers on big seed companies. This project ends in September.

Humphrey (OPAD Staff) checking the quality seed for a farmer before a government inspection.

3.3  Food Security Project

This is OPAD’s newest project and will run for the next four years. Last year was a test period. The objective is to reduce poverty among 2,000 poor families in Kapiri and Mazabuka Districts in Zambia. So far 300 families have been reached and the remainder will be reached in the next two years. Training conducted so far has included among other things sustainable agriculture, seed multiplication, leadership and group dynamics. This project also targets youth with football and netball as well as agriculture.

A woman farmer shows the quality of her crop and harvest..

local varieties and breeds by encouraging people to grow their own local seed varieties. Activities done this year have included
showcasing local seed varieties through seed fairs, training in the production of local varieties and participatory discussions on wild foodstuffs that people usually fall back on in times of hunger. This project is implemented in Central and Southern Provinces of Zambia.

3.5 Self Help Groups

With training and with the assistance of Kindernolthif , OPAD has over the last four years worked with over a thousand women, supporting them with training in micro finance which depends on people’s own savings. This year, the women started processing their own oil and have been trained in mushroom production.

4. Peer to Peer Relationships

OPAD is working with the following ICAs in order to develop project proposals for submission to new financial partners.
ICA:UK - A climate change project to Big Lottery Fund
ICA: Canada - HIV/AIDS project to Elton John
ICA Zimbabwe - Mentoring and training, including training the Board of OPAD

5. Conclusion
OPAD will continue to forge new and mutually beneficial links with each of the ICAs.