{{Short description|Zambian farmer and agriculture trainer}} '''Naomi Chanda''' is a Zambian farmer and agriculture trainer based in Chinsali, northern Zambia. She works with the Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) to teach climate-smart agricultural techniques and supports girls' education and empowerment through her community initiatives.
== Early life and education == Chanda was born in northern Zambia and raised in the Chinsali district by her mother after her father died when she was an infant.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title=Naomi, CAMFED Association member, Zambia |url=https://camfed.org/us/naomi/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Camfed |language=en}}</ref> Her mother faced challenges in providing for Naomi's education, including the costs of school fees, uniforms, and other essentials.<ref name=":0" /> Chanda attended primary and secondary school, although her education was at risk due to financial difficulties.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Matiashe |first=Farai Shawn |last2=Ufumeli |first2=Tafadzwa |date=2023-06-08 |title=An all-female farm in remote Zambia nurtures future climate leaders |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/optimist/let-girls-learn/female-farm-zambia-nurtures-future-climate-change-leaders-b1085656.html |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>
In secondary school, her situation became increasingly precarious until Camfed stepped in to provide financial support for her education.<ref name=":0" /> This assistance covered school fees, uniforms, and materials, allowing her to complete her schooling.<ref name=":0" />
== Career == After completing secondary school in 2016, Chanda joined the Camfed Association, a network of women educated with support from the organization.<ref name=":0" /> She initially trained as a learner guide, delivering life skills and self-development sessions to students in her community.<ref name=":0" /> These sessions, part of the "My Better World" curriculum, aimed to improve students' confidence, problem-solving abilities, and awareness of their rights and responsibilities.<ref name=":0" />
Chanda expanded her focus to address broader community needs by becoming an Agriculture Guide at Camfed’s climate-smart demonstration farm in Chinsali, established on land provided by a local chief.<ref name=":0" /> The farm serves as a center for training young women in sustainable farming techniques.<ref name=":0" /> Chanda and her colleagues promote practices such as planting drought-resistant crops, using manure instead of chemical fertilizers, and integrating agroecological techniques.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
Chanda has trained over 150 women and girls in adapting agricultural practices to climate change.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-12-06 |title=Zambia's Naomi Chanda Featured in the Latest BBC 100 Women |url=https://www.zambiandigest.net/2024/12/03/zambias-naomi-chanda-featured-in-the-latest-bbc-100-women/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Zambian Digest |language=en-US}}</ref> She also conducts community outreach programs, teaching farming techniques to local smallholder farmers and schoolchildren.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> These efforts aim to build resilience against environmental challenges such as prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
Her leadership roles within the Camfed Association include serving as the district chairperson in 2019 and later as the national chairperson for Zambia in 2022.<ref name=":0" /> These positions involved advocating for educational re-entry policies for girls and supporting community initiatives.<ref name=":0" /> In 2024, Chanda was featured on the BBC’s 100 Women list.<ref name=":2" />
== Personal life == Chanda supports vulnerable girls by covering their school fees and providing uniforms and other essentials.<ref name=":0" /> She operates a small home furnishing business, using the profits to assist disadvantaged children in her community.<ref name=":0" /> Chanda converted her family home into a shelter for girls, providing a safe space for those at risk of early marriage and supporting their educational pursuits.<ref name=":0" />
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chanda, Naomi}} Category:Living people Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:People from Chinsali District Category:Zambian farmers Category:Zambian women farmers Category:21st-century farmers Category:21st-century women farmers