The Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC) project has officially commenced training activities for Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Kabwe. On April 1, 2025, the first cohort of 30 CHWs from Chisamba district arrived for training.
By 15th April, RHCC had successfully graduated and equipped 117 CHWs under that district. The first group of trainings was supported by the Rotary Club of Kabwe and the Rotaract Club of Kabwe, so far the only Rotary Clubs in Central province.
Among the participants was Rotarian Towela Masanzi, a Biology teacher and proud member of the Rotary Club of Kabwe. A warm hearted and free-spirited fellow, Rotarian Towela was a very active participant in our third class. We had her share her experience with us. Here is Towela’s story, in her own words.
“My name is Towela Masanzi, and I am a member of the Rotary Club of Kabwe. I am a teacher of Biology at a Secondary School in Kabwe.
I had the rare privilege of being selected by my Club President to participate in the RHCC training of Community Health Workers from Chisamba district.
What I experienced during the 6-day training inspired me greatly. Especially being a teacher, I was encouraged because I gained invaluable knowledge and insight on malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea which I will pass on to my students and community. What intrigued me the most was the quality of the delivery. CHWs are semi-literate rural community members, but the trainers demonstrated great skill in simplifying the content to their level and explained complex concepts in simple easy to understand ways that left me amazed.
The inclusion of local languages in facilitation gave the CHWs a sense of home and belonging and encouraged participation. We hear and see malaria prevention messaging on radio and social media but to be part of it in person is a whole different experience and very encouraging and motivating for me.
The selflessness of these community volunteers in stepping up to save lives in their own communities and their willingness to learn is humbling. This week, this experience made me very proud to be a Rotarian. I now believe that we can indeed end the scourge that is malaria in our lifetime. ”
Rotarian Towela (left) and Ms. Christabel Malambo, a Pharmacist at Kabwe Mine Hospital in Kabwe, during training.
Hezron Katasefa, one of the Master Trainers, conducting a training session