Chitambo Development Foundation

Chitambo Development Foundation (CHDF) is a non-profit, non-political, and non-religious local organization based in Chitambo District, Central Province of Zambia. Established to uplift marginalized and underserved rural communities, CHDF was founded on the belief that sustainable development is most effective when communities themselves are at the centre of identifying challenges, designing solutions, and driving change. The organisation works to address deep-rooted social, economic, and environmental challenges that continue to limit opportunities and quality of life for vulnerable populations in rural Zambia.

CHDF primarily serves disadvantaged groups, including women, youth, children, the elderly, and people living in vulnerable socio-economic conditions. At the same time, the organisation engages organized community structures such as cooperatives, community clubs, traditional leadership systems, and local institutions to strengthen collective action and long-term sustainability. By combining grassroots engagement with strategic partnerships, CHDF aims to build resilient communities capable of managing their own development pathways.

The organisation’s vision is a world where all people in rural areas live a dignified life. Its mission is to empower marginalized communities to improve their socio-economic well-being and resilience. CHDF’s work is guided by a clear theory of change that recognizes that lasting and meaningful development occurs when communities have ownership over their development processes. As such, the foundation emphasizes the identification and utilization of local resources, strengthened through partnerships, capacity building, and a strong community philanthropy model that encourages local contribution and accountability.

CHDF operates on a set of core values that shape both its programming and organizational culture. These include commitment to the common good, inclusivity, cooperation, democracy, sustainability, transparency, professionalism, innovation, trust, and community participation.

The organisation adopts a people-centred approach, ensuring that interventions are responsive to local needs, culturally appropriate, and aligned with community priorities. Local commitment and accountability remain central to all CHDF initiatives.

Geographically, CHDF currently operates in Chitambo District, with plans to expand into neighbouring districts as organizational capacity and partnerships grow. The organisation’s programming is structured around several core thematic areas, including health, education, agriculture and livestock, livelihoods and economic empowerment, environment and natural resource management, and tourism and cultural development. These thematic areas are designed to respond holistically to the interconnected challenges facing rural communities.

In the agriculture and livelihoods sector, CHDF promotes conservation and climate-smart farming practices to improve food security and household incomes. The organisation supports smallholder farmers with training in sustainable agronomic practices, appropriate seed selection, livestock and poultry production, and market access. Special emphasis is placed on empowering women and youth through income-generating cooperatives, outgrower schemes, financial literacy training, and support for small-scale enterprises. These interventions aim to reduce poverty, enhance economic resilience, and promote self-reliance.

Through its education programs, CHDF works to improve access to quality education for vulnerable learners. The organisation supports secondary and tertiary education for disadvantaged students, promotes adult education and literacy programs, and contributes to the construction and improvement of educational infrastructure such as schools and libraries. CHDF believes that education is a critical driver of long-term social and economic transformation and a key tool for breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty.

In the health sector, CHDF addresses gaps in access to basic healthcare services, particularly for women, adolescents, and rural households. Key interventions include the distribution of sanitary wear, menstrual hygiene education, maternal and adolescent reproductive health awareness, mental health campaigns, and partnerships with government institutions to strengthen rural health systems and infrastructure. These efforts contribute to improved health outcomes, dignity, and well-being within communities.

Environmental sustainability and natural resource management form another important pillar of CHDF’s work. The organisation promotes afforestation, waste management, environmental education, and wildlife conservation, particularly in communities bordering protected areas and national park buffer zones. CHDF establishes environmental clubs in schools and communities to foster environmental stewardship among young people and advocates for responsible natural resource use as a foundation for climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

CHDF also recognizes the importance of social, cultural, and civic development in building cohesive and resilient communities. The organisation supports cultural preservation, youth engagement through sports and recreation, and community initiatives aimed at reducing crime, harmful practices, gender-based violence, and early marriages. By working closely with traditional leaders, faith-based institutions, and local authorities, CHDF strengthens social cohesion and promotes inclusive community governance.

A defining feature of CHDF is its community-centred engagement model. The organisation uses participatory needs assessments, community meetings, focus group discussions, and household surveys to ensure that interventions are evidence-based and community-driven. Traditional leadership engagement is central to this model, ensuring local ownership, legitimacy, and sustainability. CHDF integrates continuous feedback, monitoring, and learning mechanisms to adapt programs and improve impact over time.

CHDF actively seeks and values partnerships with government agencies, civil society organisations, academic institutions, donors, private sector actors, and development partners. The organisation is open to collaboration in grant funding, joint project implementation, technical support, training, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and resource mobilization. Its dedicated team is committed to accountability, learning, and delivering high-quality, context-sensitive development interventions.

Chitambo Development Foundation is a grassroots organisation dedicated to building resilient, empowered, and dignified rural communities in Zambia. Through inclusive, community-led solutions and strategic partnerships, CHDF continues to mobilize local capacities, address systemic challenges, and contribute to sustainable development outcomes that leave no one behind.