Changed Lives: Limata

64-year-old Limata lives with her 98-year-old mother and her six grandchildren in Kufanga village in western Zambia’s rural Lukulu District. She is her household’s main breadwinner and like most people in her area, relies upon small scale farming to provide for and feed her family.

Frequent and unpredictable weather, such as floods and droughts, have devastated harvests in Lukulu, leaving thousands food insecure. With HIV prevalence at 7.2%, many families also carry the burden of caring for relatives with HIV or AIDS orphans.

Alternative income sources are critical to survival, yet opportunities beyond agriculture are scarce, and few have the capital to start small businesses. Egmont Partner Keepers Foundation is changing this by training women’s groups in alternative livelihoods, including poultry rearing. Each group receives 30 chickens to kick-start their business.

In 2024, Keepers formed 15 groups, each with 20 members, benefiting 300 women. These groups have thrived, multiplying their chickens by 459% to 1,679 and generating over £4,000 in sales.

Limata’s group grew their flock to 190, selling 180 chickens for £500 in profit. This has improved both their income and nutrition: “The chickens and eggs have boosted our earnings. We sell to local restaurants and markets. Demand is growing, so we are working hard to expand our business.”

Each group is trained in financial literacy and encouraged to establish savings schemes against which they can secure credit. Collectively, they have saved £2,444, reinvesting in new income streams. Some have built fish ponds, others planted drought-resistant cassava, while others have purchased farming tools and seeds.

Limata’s group used their profits to start two additional businesses:

“We bought 15 goats, which have now increased to 50. We also invested in land to make burnt bricks for sale.”

Now, she can provide for her family in ways she never could before

“We can afford to buy food rather than just grow it, and my grandchildren are healthier. We sold ten goats to pay for school fees and materials for some of our members’ children. We have also bought school uniforms and even support vulnerable people in our community. My hope is to become fully self-reliant with the skills I’ve gained.”

Inspired by their success, the group now wants to create a ripple effect:

“As a group, we plan to empower youth and vulnerable community members through a goat and chicken pass-on scheme, helping them start their own businesses too.”

This project is reaching 1,170 family members. Beyond poultry, women’s groups are also growing and selling vegetables, generating £1,330 in sales while improving household nutrition and resilience to climate shocks.

Through Keepers Foundation’s project, women like Limata are securing their families’ futures—breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change in their communities.