Health & Nutrition

When Lusaka recently faced a cholera outbreak that affected over 2,000 residents, twenty young nurses trained under the ChildFund Zambia Nurse and Life Skills Training Project (ZNLTP) stepped forward to support the Government’s health response.

These nurses, who completed their training through the Mastercard Foundation-funded program in partnership with AMREF Health Africa, were deployed to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital — Zambia’s two largest referral hospitals — to fill gaps left by senior nurses assigned to cholera treatment centers.

During the official handover ceremony, ChildFund Programs Director Ms. Doras Chirwa reaffirmed ChildFund’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, especially children and families impacted by the epidemic.
“We are cognizant of the fact that families and children we support in Lusaka are affected by this outbreak. That is why we have committed ZMW 88,000 (USD 4,000 ) to cover the transport and lunch allowances for these nurses as they support overwhelmed hospital wards,” Ms. Chirwa said.

“ChildFund remains dedicated to supporting government efforts in improving human resources for health and ensuring quality health care in the country.”
Receiving the volunteers, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kennedy Malama commended ChildFund ’s timely response, highlighting the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing public health emergencies.

Launched in 2013, the Zambia Nurse and Life Skills Training Project was designed to tackle two interconnected challenges: high youth unemployment and a national shortage of qualified nurses. Through a unique three-pronged model: clinical nursing training, life skills development, and e-learning delivery, the project equips young people with the tools they need to build meaningful careers in healthcare.

23-year-old Chanda Mbayama is one of the volunteers

Among the twenty volunteers is 23-year-old Chanda, who currently works in the casualty-triage ward at Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital.
“The casualty ward is very busy, but the life skills we gained during our training have helped me manage my responsibilities,” Chanda explained. “I’m happy to have volunteered during this period because I am also gaining valuable experience.”

For Chanda, the path to becoming a nurse was filled with challenges. Raised in a financially struggling family, he supported his education through his talent for traditional dance, performing at local events to raise school fees.
“I always wanted to join the medical field to save lives. My mother passed away from cancer in 2003, and after seeing her suffer, I resolved to study nursing if given the chance,” he said.

When he heard about the e-learning nursing program on the radio, Chanda applied and was initially able to fund his first semester through his earnings. However, as the demands of nursing studies grew, ChildFund stepped in with a full scholarship, allowing him to complete his studies in September last year.
Today, Chanda is optimistic about his future. “I look forward to being fully employed by the Ministry of Health and furthering my education by pursuing a nursing degree.”

Since its inception, the Zambia Nurse and Life Skills Training Project has produced tangible results. The first cohort of 83 e-learning nurses graduated in 2014. Today, over 1,600 student nurses continue to train using this innovative e-learning model, which has now been officially adopted by the Government of Zambia as a recognized method for training nurses and midwives.
ChildFund remains committed to working with partners to empower young people, strengthen health systems, and support the Government’s efforts to deliver quality healthcare services to all Zambians.

About the Zambia Nurse and Life Skills Training Project (ZNLTP)

The Zambia Nurse and Life Skills Training Project (ZNLTP) was launched in June 2013 by ChildFund, in partnership with AMREF Health Africa and the Mastercard Foundation. The seven-year program aimed to address two pressing challenges in Zambia: high youth unemployment and a critical shortage of qualified nurses. By leveraging a multi-stakeholder approach, the program equipped 6,600 young people with vocational nursing training, life skills, and access to e-learning opportunities to improve their employment prospects and strengthen the country’s health workforce.

To reach students in rural areas with limited access to nursing schools and computer labs, the program introduced an innovative pre-service e-learning model that combined online coursework with in-person practical training. It also invested in upgrading technology and infrastructure in nursing schools across the country, ensuring a more inclusive and effective learning environment. Learn more: about this project’s impact.