The natural facility and structure of the soil found in the project catchment?s area of kabangwe [Chibombo district] is to some extent naturally poor. The common soil type found is sand has features of poor structure ,poor facility, cannot hold water and its large particles drawn away nutrients.in some areas found is silt soil type which has feature of very poor structure for growing plants or gardening

Contributing to the above problem is human activity. The soil in Chipwalu has become very poor to an extent that a person can hardly do gardening without applying chemical fertilizer. The garden soil has been drenched with all sorts of chemical fertilizer: insecticide, rodenticides, and fungicides to mention but a few. the soil in Chipwalu like many other garden and farm areas in kabangwe continue to loose their plant nutrients [Humus] through gardening, cropping and clearing of land for residential plots without restoring plant food [natural fertilizer].
Further the practice of open and regular burning of the field which is common in kabanwe contribute not only to land pollution but also green house gas emissions
Zani Moune women group and Ngoma theatre group are community based Organizations located in Kabangwe of Chibombo district The two CBO involved in the proposed program felt the need to come together and partner in an effort to: (a) Enhance programmatic designing, (b) Avoid duplication of work and to (c) ensure competence through the application of technical know-how & expertise with regard to specific function.

ABOUT THE CBO
Zani Moune is a group of women who are HIV-Positive and have come together to support one another. The group was set up in 1998. The group is registered under the umbrella of the Zambia Network of people living with HIV/AIDS (NZP). ZaniMoune believes that PLWHA?s have a crucial role to play in sensitizing public on what it is like to live with HIV/AIDS by sharing their own experiences through the medium of one to one, door to door & group discussion and community popular theatre.
The group maintains an on-going relationship with the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in sensitization programmes to bring light to members of general public about real issues affecting PLWHA?s,
Ngoma theatre for community development programs was formed in 1986 with the view to promote the spirit of hard work self reliance and team work in meeting the challenges that face poor communities today. The group is dedicated to contributing to the transformation of the Zambian society by promoting community participation in development oriented activities. the group has in the past worked with various originations in programmes designed to assist community improve their living conditions, Ngoma has a membership of male and female community activists with work experience in water and rural sanitation theatre skills in composting

RELEVANT PROJECTS ENGAGED IN BY THE PARTNERSHIP

2002 ? 2007; the partner groups have been working with Cooperating partners and organizations offering services aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change in rural communities of North western, southern, northern, copper belt and central province Cooperating partners include UNICEF, IDE, CLUSA,JICA and development bank of Zambia where as Programmes include, water and rural sanitation, treadle pump promotion and conservation farming programmes
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE


Improving nutrition and reducing soil degradation through organic gardening

OBJECTIVES
? To Train 50 households in Chipwalu village special techniques for improving soil and water management through compositing and using low cost irrigation techniques for irrigating small plots at household level.
? To encourage households in Chipwaluto use compost to improve the quality of garden soil
? To improve the economic status and nutrition of women and children living with HIV/AIDS and the affected families through organic small businesses.