Zambia
Zambia is TWAM’s largest recipient of tools and support, and we have a long-running and significant relationship with the people there. Our work spans Luapula, Northwestern Province, and parts of Lusaka and the Copperbelt, with a strong focus on rural communities where tools create the greatest change.
We currently send around ten containers a year packed with tools and equipment, which are usually shipped to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania and go overland to Zambia.
Once tools have arrived, we work in partnership with the Zambia Red Cross Society, local leaders, and community groups to distribute them to applicants.
Zambia also served as the pilot country for our full Impact Assessment process, helping us build a more consistent and reliable system for understanding long-term outcomes - and the insights have been invaluable to our work.
Zambia continues to be a key learning hub for TWAM, shaping how we strengthen our programme and deepen our impact as part of our work.
Our impact in Zambia
In 2025, from assessments of 321 groups:
2,045
individuals completed training within the last year using TWAM tools, including 1,222 in tailoring.
1,061
individuals found employment or set up their own business as a result of their tools and training.
294
groups reported improvements to life, including 70 gaining financial independence, 40 able to send children to school and 30 gaining confidence.
"I can now stand on my feet, I can talk to people, I couldn't before. Faith has helped me open up."Country coordinator: TBC (zambia@twam.uk) Country partner: United Church of Zambia (UCZLusaka@twam.uk or UCZKitwe@twam.uk)
Choma - Faith Orphanage, Kitwe
Choma’s life has changed in remarkable ways. Growing up in extreme poverty with very few opportunities, she is now thriving on the tailoring programme at the orphanage, where students receive a year of training followed by a year of independent project work serving their local community.
Choma left school in Grade 12 when she could no longer afford the fees and now lives with her grandmother, as her mother is unable to work due to long-term illness. Her childhood was marked by separation, abuse, and very little support, leaving her without the guidance many young people rely on. She knows how easily those in her situation can lose hope.
Today, training at Faith has rebuilt her confidence and given her a clear path forward. Her dream is to open a small shop making children’s clothing while continuing her education so she can one day support others facing similar challenges.
She now hopes to finish Grade 12 and later study guidance counselling. "I want to help others who feel alone," she said. "I know how much difference support can make."
Apply for tools
We do not charge for specific tools or tool kits, but we do ask that you contribute a small amount towards the UK cost of collecting, refurbishing and packing the tools we send to Africa.
The Online Application form below will show you the cost of the tools you are applying for. Before completing your application, please think about the cost and whether you can afford it. If you cannot, please reduce the number of tools you are applying for at this time to a cost you can afford. You can apply again another time for more tools. By applying for less tools rather than waiting to raise a larger amount, you will not have to wait so long for the delivery of the tools you need.
What you need to know:
We will let you know that we have received your application.
You will then receive a phone call from our Zambia team to assess your application.
Following this we will tell you whether or not your application is successful.
We will then tell you when your tools will arrive, and where to collect them from.
After you have had your tools for one year, we will carry out an assessment to make sure you are using your tools as you agreed in your application.
Partners & country contacts
Country coordinator: TBC (zambia@twam.uk)
Country partner: United Church of Zambia (UCZLusaka@twam.uk or UCZKitwe@twam.uk)
Country contact(s): Rodgers Ng'ambi (ngambir@twam.uk), Patricia Chikwemba (uczlusaka@twam.uk), Danny Kaunda (rccopperbelt@twam.uk), Davies Chibwe (rcluapula@twam.uk), Iwell Phiri (rceastern@twam.uk), Beltina Chitundu (rcnorthwestern@twam.uk)
