HR&S ZAMBIA 2024 REPORT

1Acknowledgements

This publication is made possible by the generous support of Human Rights and Science as well as Action 10. Special thanks to the SIER HR&S team in Zambia for their valuable efforts in developing this report.

Message

This report covers the period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. The year has seen  growth of our team and individual development of the members. When asked why they joined HR&S, team members said: 
“Changing lives, equal opportunities, innovation and self-growth”
“Passionate about helping the BoP to raise their living standard”
“Change and unity”
“Help with financial management and build the branch”

It is such a privilege to work with a passionate team who have been a pillar of support for the RISE center. It has also been very encouraging to get to know our different RISE members and be a part of their journeys. It is our hope that they can continue to grow their business with the knowledge gained from our meetings and that we can hear more of their success stories.

The report highlights the main activities of the SIER HR&S Zambia Branch. It also reports on the challenges faced and lessons learned that continue to help us grow.

2About SIER HR&S Zambia

SIER Human Rights and Science is a subsidiary of Human Rights and Science, a social enterprise registered in Sweden. Human rights and Science has 20 years of experience supporting scientific research, advanced laboratories, social enterprising and sustainable development in Sub-Sahara Africa, and have developed practical strategies which we have translated into training and coaching.

SIER Human Rights and Science was registered in 2022 in Zambia. We aim to empower local researchers, innovators and social entrepreneurs to implement poverty reduction programmes.

Our Vision A world without extreme poverty.

Our Mission To empower scientific research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Zambia through equal partnership. Within our mission lies transparency, accountability, truth, trust, harmony, equity and resilience, as well as sustainable economies and institutional capacity.

Governance, Management and Operations

3. Finances

Two cycles of loans were implemented in three areas: Ngombe, Mtendere and George compound. The financial summary is provided in the table below. In total there were 31 loan recipients from Ngombe and Mtendere zones and 20 loan recipients from George compound. A more detailed breakdown of the loan recipients, nature of business, amounts given and amounts paid back are provided in the attached spreadsheet.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY
ZMK CYCLE 4 (Mtendere+Ngombe) 59,815.00
George cpd 5986
Transferred to the bank a/c 50000
Total ZMK 65,801.00
Expenses +transfers
Transferred to the bank a/c 50000
transaction costs 600
Transferred to Admin number 1000
T-shirt 1450
Refund to Members 200
Talk time 140
Printing (Finest) 45
Total 53,435
Balance in Airtel Money ZMK 12,366.00

Achievements
1. Activities
Team meetings
Team meetings were held online twice a month on Sunday evenings.

Rise member meetings
Meetings with RISE members and loan recipients from Ngombe and Mtendere. The meeting had both old and new members. During the meeting an overview of HR&S was given followed by a presentation on financial literacy and group work on budgeting. RISE members from Ngombe and Mtendere attentively listening and participating in the RISE meeting.

Thrive n’ WASH
This activity was done in partnership with the Center for Water, Sanitation and Rehabilitation (WASAReC) to support women in George compound who businesses were affected by the Cholera epidemic of 2024. Introduction of the presenters from HR&S and WASAReC for the meeting. Sylvia presenting on financial literacy Group work on budgeting followed by presentations by selected members.

2. Impact stories from 2025

Mr. Joseph Kasongo
Business – Baobab, handbags and fish; Mtendere zone. Joseph has benefitted from HR&S thrice and he is a consistent client. However, his business of selling baobab fruits is seasonal to balance the equation when baobab fruits become scarce. He switches to fish selling and when it is seasonal for the said fruits he goes back as he enjoys it more. Using this criterion and looking at the demand, our client’s business has always recorded a positive outcome. So far the business is doing very well. He is just waiting for another cycle so that it is boosted further as he plans to continue with the same business.

Mrs Ruth Tembo
Business – Fritters/Samosas, polish and tailoring; Ngombe zone. Ruth has benefited thrice; she is a committed client and leader at the same time. She is one who strongly believes in business diversification. Having benefited three times Ruth has always taken advantage to invest into something new from each cycle considered for. Selectively, the business of fritters is booming each and every day especially this period Zambia is experiencing prolonged hours of load shedding because many bakeries cannot make bread, this challenge is actually an opportunity for her. All in all the three businesses are actively up and running only waiting for another cycle.

Miss Sarah Nakamoga
Business – Salon, boutique, mobile services; Mtendere zone. Sarah has only benefitted from two cycles and already shown a fighting spirit while the energy is at apex as a youthful mother. She has multiple businesses both mobile and stationary, benefitting twice she has never regretted. However, we keep following up and learn from her as well as ways she is able to manage more than three businesses so that she can be used as a learning point and help others.

Ganizani Kambele
Business – Vegetables, airtel money; Ngombe zone. Ganizani is a passionate, ambitious and energetic young man who found his fate in selling varieties of vegetables on a big sheltered stand as well as offering Airtel money services. He has only benefitted twice and directly used the loans to boost the said businesses. He looks forward to benefiting once more so that he can mount another stand for vegetables as a well- known vegetable seller in the market. His bigger plan is to buy a sizable land for gardening and start supplying to other marketers.

Stephen Lungu
Business – Carpentry; Ngombe zone Stephen has benefitted twice from HR&S and he is a very skilful, committed and a man of targets. He is a well-known carpenter who has for a long-time lived in Ngombe Township. Stephen makes doors and beds. The loans he has benefitted twice were used to buy a grinding machine and to buy more plunks. He is eagerly waiting for another cycle so he can also start making kitchen units and wardrobes.

Mary Siwela
Business – Dried fish, eggs, cooking oil; Mary is a very serious, and active business lady who happens to be a mother at the same time. She has benefitted from the HR&S loans three times and has always used the loans to multiply especially the fish business. Her businesses keep growing as she has passionately studied the seasons and always gives what the society demands at any given time of the changing seasons and her being in the business for a long time has helped her acquire that needed experience. Mary does not show signs of giving up on HR&S loans any time soon as she looks forward to benefit more.

George Zulu
Business – Mobile money services; Ngombe zone. George is a man of action who has always shown commitment and consistency in what he does. He is also proactive, and that made him to be the overall leader of Ngombe zone. Like stated above George has a booth and offers various mobile money services highly treasured in Zambia which include: Airtel, MTN and Zamtel. He has only benefitted twice from HR&S, the money he benefited for the first and second time was directly used to boost the capital. He looks forward to opening more outlets in the near future as he strongly believes HR&S is there to stay.

Challenges faced

No. Challenge Lessons learned

1. Loan repayments are not complete
• Need to do more KYC activities before giving out loans. • Consider taking out insurance against the loans to minimise our losses. • Recipients were followed up with letters to encourage repayments by end of January 2025.

2. Delay in acquiring the money lenders license Need to initiate the renewal process early in the year.

3. Heavy workload for team members • Need to ensure a fair load is given to each team member. • Each team member should do their best to complete their tasks so as to ensure that the team can work efficiently. • Recruit a manageable number of Rise members. • Consider a part-time employee for the RISE center who will be responsible for coordination of center activities, record keeping and submission of returns.

4. Lack of office space • Need to find an office space that can be used for meetings with RISE members and potential partners. • Need a place with a large space to hold group training in a good environment and has necessary facilities.

5. Lack of visibility • Be more consistent with social media posts to increase visibility. • Get a camera to improve the quality of pictures and videos. 
• Consider paid for adverts on social media platforms. • Get HR&S pop-up and merchandise for meetings.

10.The year ahead, 2025

Empowerment: We plan to recruit at least 10 RISE members who will benefit from business support and empowerment loans. RISE members will pay a fee of ZMW 500. Proposed loan amounts range from ZMW 5000 to a maximum of ZMW 25,000. Selection of RISE members will be based on the following criteria: i. Should have an established and formalised business (PACRA, ZRA and Bank account) ii. Annual turnover of at least ZMW 500,000. iii. Should have at least 2 employees (excluding owner) iv. Located in Lusaka or Southern province Focused marketing Participate in events such as the National Technology Business Center expo in order to increase visibility.

Partnerships for development (MoUs): Form beneficial partnerships for examples with selected Schools through the National School Science fair.

Local partners: Government Ministries – SMED, Science & technology, education, green economy. ● NTCB and UNZA ● WASAReC ● Salvation Army

International partners: ● Action 10

Provide capacity building in research

Communication and branding ● Pop ups and branded pens ● Business cards (hybrid – QR Coded) ● Webinars ● Team T-Shirts

Projected expenditures for 2025
1. Lenders license (ZMW 15,000)
2. Operations of the RISE center (ZMW 15,000)
● Transport & fuel reimbursements
● Training costs
● Communications
● Stationery supplies, diaries and business cards
● Branding
● ZRA & PACRA returns
● M&E activities
● Social media and Website
● 2x Physical team meetings (June and December)
● Office space

3. Empowerment loans (ZMW 135,000)

Supplementary Documents
excel sheet of finances