– Water, shelter, health services now brought closer
IN LUANGWA District, the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is changing lives by bringing water, shelter, and health services closer to communities that for years lacked basic amenities.
One such transformation is visible at Luangwa Boma Rural Health Centre, where a maternal and child health (MCH) annex has improved privacy and access to essential services.
Previously, maternity patients were crowded into a small ward with little privacy.
“Now, we operate a one-stop centre. We offer family planning, antenatal care, postnatal services, and paediatric ART, all in one spacious, private facility,” midwife Grace Mushimbwa said.
At Kakaro Secondary School, the construction of two new dormitories has brought relief to pupils and teachers alike.
The weekly boarding school previously relied on dilapidated structures that could not accommodate the growing number of students.
“We used to release pupils early because of human-animal conflict. Elephants roam the area, and that made travel dangerous. With the dormitories, students are safer and more focused on their studies,” deputy head teacher Queen Muwowo said.
Built at a cost of K1,351,613, the dormitories now house 60 pupils; 30 girls and 30 boys, but still lack adequate beds and mattresses.
Belita Tembo, a Grade 12 pupil and deputy head girl, said the dormitories have made a difference in her academic performance.
“I used to walk 8km from Mpata village, and sometimes we’d encounter elephants. It was risky, and I missed classes,” Belita said.
“Now I can focus on school and aim for my dream of becoming an accountant,” she said.
Her schoolmate, Anna Ngulube, also in Grade 12, shared a similar story.
“I used to walk for an hour from Chiyendeyende village.
I would arrive tired and sometimes skipped lunch. But boarding has changed everything.
I’m finally seeing a future beyond school,” Anna said, beaming with confidence as her dream of becoming an accountant now seems more attainable than it was before.
Prior to the construction of the dormitories, Anna could sometimes abscond school for fear of elephants that roam the area, thus affecting her academic performance.
“We escaped several elephant attacks, especially on the way back from school,” she recalled.
I am happy we no longer have to face the risk of elephant attacks,” she said.
In Zavedo village, access to clean water has become a reality, thanks to a K770,000 water reticulation system funded through CDF. For residents like Sylvia Gwibu Nyankala, it’s a dream come true.
“Women used to fetch water from the Luangwa River, risking crocodile attacks,” Mrs Nyankala said.
“Now I have piped water at home. I can fetch water even at night and grow vegetables for both sale and consumption,” she added.
At Mphuka Rural Health Centre, staff and patients no longer need to walk long distances to access clean water.
Acting sister-in-charge Mailesi Banda said the project has improved hygiene and patient care.
“This is a huge benefit to everyone at the clinic and surrounding communities,” she said.
Meanwhile, in Janeiro Village, a new footbridge has ended years of isolation during the rainy season.
Funded at a cost of K653,775.89, the bridge now allows safe passage across a once-dangerous stream.
“When the stream flooded, children couldn’t attend school for days,” said 25-year-old farmer Gilbert Banda. “It also affected our ability to access our fields.”
Local resident Lorraine Tembo Mphuka remembers the dangers vividly. “We once lost a woman from Chiuli village because we couldn’t get her to the clinic in time. I’ll do everything I can to ensure the bridge is not vandalised, it’s too important.”
These and many more projects highlight how the increased CDF allocation is reshaping rural life in Luangwa, a district with one constituencyFeira. Council secretary Greyson Sakala expressed pride in the district’s achievements.
“For us, CDF is everything. It has brought the transformation we only dreamed of. We are committed to implementing it effectively,” Mr Sakala said.
“We can only thank the formulators of this policy as we are trying our best to ensure its smooth implementation. Luangwa is always doing well in this regard,” he said.
From improved education and healthcare to water and transportation, Luangwa stands as a testament to what wellmanaged public funds can achieve when placed directly in the hands of communities