In Solwezi, women with disabilities are showing remarkable resilience and innovation as they form cooperatives to improve their livelihoods and uplift their communities.
For the past 20 years, the Holland Disabled Association has been a beacon of hope. With financial support from partners such as the Catholic Church, Government, and others, the Association took a bold step, building a lodge and rental shops.
Today, the Association not only provides accommodation for travelers passing through the new Copperbelt but also generates income through shop rentals.
What’s unique is their inclusive policy: every tenant renting a shop is required to employ at least one person with a disability in line with their skills.
Through this initiative, 21 people, the majority being women and single mothers with disabilities, have found employment. This has reduced vulnerability, empowered families, and strengthened the community’s social fabric.
On the outskirts of Solwezi, another inspiring story unfolds. The Kamatete Bethesda Club, with a membership of 20, was born from a ZAPD “Pass-on Project” where members received chickens. Building on that idea, the group later formed a cooperative, secured CDF funding, and ventured into piggery.
Proceeds from the project go towards repaying the loan, while members occasionally receive a pig to own and raise themselves. This model is not only improving livelihoods but also promoting sustainability and reducing poverty.
In another part of the mining town, the Nketekelani (Trust Me) Cooperative is filled with women with diverse disabilities who are eager to use their skills. While they currently rely on Social Cash Transfer support, they remain hopeful that with access to more funding and market linkages, they too will establish thriving enterprises.
What these cooperatives now require is technical assistance and stronger market connections to grow and sustain their initiatives.
These powerful stories came to light when a team from ZAPD and the ILO visited the clubs in their mission to document and showcase the advocacy work of women-led disability organizations in the province, and witness firsthand the impact being made.
Together, these women are proving that disability is not inability. With the right support, they are building livelihoods, creating jobs, and showing us all the true meaning of resilience and empowerment.