27th March 2008

Kids show off their talent at Lusaka Playhouse.

Art is said to be a talent and a gift from God.

And this gift needs to be nurtured or improved upon.

Today the Lusaka play house hosted a project called Artistic Minds that seeks to identify talent in young people.

Lucky is in charge of the project and he explained that kids need to be given an opportunity to show off their talent.

“This is the only way that they can improve their talents,” he said.

The young people participating in the event were happy to have been given a chance to show off their talent through music and drama.

25 MARCH 2008

KALINGALINGA ELECTRICITY

Having electricity has been a dream for these Children at Kalingalinga Basic School.

But now the Kalingalinga Basic School will soon have electricity.

The School has just received a Cheque worth 27.5 million-kwacha so that the school has electricity.

The putting of electricity at the school will help the school have night class, computer class and eventually learn how to browse the computer to access the Zed-Kids website.

The Children at the School are so excited with this development.

Munali Member of Parliament, Mumbi Phiri is happy that the school, which has been existence since 1980 will now have electricity.

The money given to Kalingalinga Basic School is from the Government through what is called the Constituency Development Fund-CDF-under Munali Constituency.

Three Schools have so benefited from this fund.

TIME TO HAVE FUN

All work no play makes Naomi a dull girl.

It for this reason that Children at Antie-flow Private School decided to host a talent show to keep away from books.

The Day was held so that Children could showcase their various talents in ART, POTERY, MUSIC AND DANCE.

The Children told Zed-kids that it important to have such a day at the School because it helps them perfect their talents while still at school with the guidance of teachers.

The Teachers also said the day is important for the school to experience the other side of life.

It is important that you bring out your talent while at school to let your teachers help be the best at it

20 MARCH 2008

Kids With Special Needs Hold Sports Day!

All Children, regardless of their condition need to have time for fun.

It is for this reason that the Lusaka Province Special Needs Committee organized the special inter-schools athletics’ for Children with special needs in Lusaka.

Children with special needs had a chance to show off their talent in sports.

Education Deputy Minister, Clement Sinyinda was also present at the sports day.

The Minister was however not happy that only 28 Schools attended out of the 33 schools which were invited.

And some Children who participated in the sports had this to say.

“I’m very excited to be here because I have made new friends.”

“We have enjoyed the sports although our wheel chairs are not in good condition. We need better wheel chairs for sports.”

Runners to be selected from the Championship will represent Lusaka at the inter-provincial tournament to be held on the Copperbelt later this year.

Should Condoms be Distributed in Schools?

The issue of distributing condoms in schools has raised many questions from many people including the pupils themselves.

Some parents and young people believe that condoms must be distributed in order to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The kids talked to had different views about this issue.

Some where in support while others were against the idea.

Many leaders, as well as parents, feel that sexual activity is encouraged among teenagers when offered condoms for their protection.

Education Deputy Minister, Clement Sinyinda explained as ministry of education it is their duty to stop the spread of HIV in schools. He however added that he supports abstinence as the best way of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Abstinence means staying away completely from sexual activity until you get married to someone you know is HIV negative.

While others are supporting the use of condoms, some believe that staying away completely from sexual activity is the best solution.

 
Kids Welcome New Book on Culture

A cultural book has been launched. This book features Zambia’s culture and traditions.

Through this book people will be able to learn more about the different cultures of Zambia.

Traditional rulers from Zambia’s nine provinces were present at the launch.

Some kids from Lumuno School, Rhodespark School and Munali Girls are happy with the launch of this book.
“This book will help us learn more about our culture and our traditions and the way that people used to live a long time ago,” one of the kids said.

Vice president Rupiah Banda, has advised parents and guardians to teach children about Zambian Traditions and culture.

19th March 2008

Kids Learn More About Art

By Mwaka Nakweti

A three day workshop for kids has started at Lusaka national museum.

The workshop is held every year and gives young artistes a chance to learn more about art.

At the end of the workshop kids will show off their art work which will be kept at the museum for one month.

The kids at this workshop are also competing among themselves in art.

The young artistes are happy with the workshop which they say is teaching them many new things.

One of the organisers of the workshop, Charity Salasini says it is important to allow young people to be creative.

The art workshop has attracted artistes as young as ten years.

More than 300 Grade 10 Pupils May be Out of School

This is Kasalu basic school in Mumbwa district. Grade ten classes have been stopped at this school by the government. Traditional rulers, parents and pupils are not happy with this decision.

They say they have worked hard to build more classrooms for grade tens.

Member of Parliament for Nangoma Boyd Hamusonde assured the people that he would talk to the minister of education so that a better solution can be found.

Grade ten pupils have asked the minister to allow the grade ten classes to continue. The pupils said they can’t afford to go to boarding schools or the available high school because they are far and the fees are high.

Government’s decision has affected more than 300 grade ten pupils in Mumbwa district.  We hope that the government will allow these pupils to continue their grade ten lessons at this school and the five other basic schools.

Chilenje Soccer Academy in Need of a Football Ground

By Naomi Chulu

Independence stadium is not the only stadium which needs to be worked. There’s another football ground in Chilenje called Sacero stadium which needs to be worked on.

This ground is used by a team called Chilenje Soccer academy.
 
Ten year old Chipasha Blustar is a member of this team and he says being a player of Chilenje soccer academy is a great challenge to them because the playground is in a bad state. He says the team also needs new uniforms.

Patrick Kawinga who is the coach of the team is asking government for help.

17 MARCH 2008
FLOODS RE-VISIT KANYAMA

Heavy rains this year have caused floods in most parts of Lusaka. New Kanyama Basic School was one of the schools was badly hit by flood in Lusaka and the school was closed for almost one month.

The teacher and pupils at the school are still in fear because the rains that fell last evening have already collected a lot of water.

Pupils are worried because they are missing so much school work and they fear failing their final exams

WORK ON STADIUM AT STANDSTILL

In 2011 Zambia will be hosting the All Africa Games. A lot of work has to be done on our local sports facilities. FIFA the world football governing body last year stopped the national team from playing at the independence stadium because it was not in good shape.

The Independence Stadium is the largest stadium in Zambia. Work on the stadium had began this year but things have come to a standstill. Zed Kids News visited the site and were informed that works will start again soon

14 MARCH 2008

THORNHILL SCHOOL INTER-HOUSE SPORTS

Physical fitness helps us with mental fitness. When our bodies are healthy, even our minds are well. We can think, reason and study better.

Sport is therefore very important for our wellbeing, which is why Thornhill School has held its annual Interhouse Athletics.

Many of the pupils participating agree that a sport promotes not only fitness, but also helps people to socialize or get along.

13 MARCH 2008

EXCITED ABOUT READING

Reading is one of the most fun and exciting things to do. We not only get exciting stories from books but important information about the world.

It is for this reason that the Embassy of the United States of American organized a reading program that involves teachers and pupils.

The programme is called Promoting Child Literacy.

The programme is aimed at improving reading among school going children.

And pupils talked to by Zed-kids news explained that reading is important because it prepares young people for the future.

YOUTH DAY

Tuesday, 12th of March, 2007 was an important day for the young people in Zambia.

This is because they were celebrating Youth Day.
While, many went to march at the Freedom Statue, kids from Bauleni Compound had their own celebration.

Children with special needs were not left out in celebrating the Youth Day.

This was also a chance for these children to ask for assistance from the government.

SWIMMING POOLS ON DEMAND

Although swimming in pools of water like this one, may be dangerous, these children in Garden Compound have continued doing so.

The children say they swim in these dams and streams because there are no swimming pools in the area.

They are now asking leaders in their community to do something about this problem.

The care-taker of the land where a stream passes explains that it is difficult to stop the children from swimming.

12 MARCH 2008

Youths Want to be Leaders Now
By Henry Sakala

Hundreds of youths from schools, political parties and many other organisations celebrated Youth Day together at the Freedom statue.

The youths marched and presented some dances and speeches at the occasion.

President Mwanawasa and other government officials were also present.

Minister of Youth Sport and Child Development Gabriel Namulambe thanked the president for the support given to the youths.

The youths present said they are ready to help develop Zambia.

“We are not the leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today,” said one of the youths who were interviewed by Z-Kids News at Five.

Youths Hold Dance Competition
By Naomi Chulu

Youths celebrated Youth Day in different ways. While others were marching some went out dancing.

The dancing competition attracted many youths who showed off their dancing skills.

We spoke to Bertha, one of the dancers and she explained that Youth Day for her is not all about having fun but reflecting on what young people can do for the country.

11 MARCH 2008

Zambia’s female double world boxing Champion, Ester Phiri’s next opponent, Nicole Harris has withdrawn.

This has forced organizers to replace, Nicole with Germany’s Elina Tissen popularly known as” Machine” in the bout slated for the 26th of April in Lusaka.

The fights main sponsors National Milling Corporation’s managing director, Peter Cottan disclosed the development at an emergency news conference.
Ester will square out with Elina in the vacant super featherweight title.
Elina is 21- years old and her professional record of seven fights currently stands at six wins and one defeat.

And Ester Phiri’s trainer, Anthony Mwamba has declared that despite the change in opponents, victory is certain for the double world champion.
Mwamba disclosed that Ester will intensify her training schedule to ensure that the title remains in Zambia.

And bubbling with conference, ester maintained that she is afraid of anyone and that she will punch the German using what are called Saka punches.
She was also at the news conference in Lusaka, today.

Zambia’s John Chibuta will square it out with Baket Barakat also of Germany.
And about 250 Million-Kwacha has so far been released to successfully host the fight.

Tomorrow, 12th of March is a special day. This is the day that we remember the contribution young people made in making our country free.

It is for this reason that children from firm light school decided to visit their friends at Cheshear Homes to share the little they have with them.

We spoke to the children from the school what young day is and how they will celebrate the day.

It is hope that during this day young people will join in the fun.

A tourist promotion company is optimistic Zambia will succeed in having one million tourists visiting the country by the year 2010.

Africast Zambia Exhibition Management, Chimwemwe Nyirenda has since called for concerts in achieving the set target by the year 2010.

And Zambia will is expected to host the first ever International Travel show that will bring together 120 exhibitors and 40 international buyers.

The exhibition is under the auspices of the Africast Exhibition Management.
The exhibition, which runs from the 24th to 26th of April, has so far attracted about 80 exhibitors.

10 MARCH 2008
COMMON WEALTH 
BY BINGA

Pupils from different schools who belong to a club called Young Parliamentarians today gathered at the commonwealth center to celebrate “The international Commonwealth day”.

The Young Parliamentarians club is a club that consists of pupils who look at different issues affecting the pupils and the youths in general. They also try to find possible solutions to the problems which they later present to   parliament.

Today these pupils gathered to debate on this year’s theme which is ‘The Environment- our future.’ The aim of this debate was to look into the Environmental issues such as deforestation, as well as those which are caused by Climate change such as floods and drought which later lead to starvation.

The pupils also toured the National Assembly were they planted trees as one way of discouraging Deforestation.

And the Zambia representative on the Regional Youth Caucus of the Commonwealth, Eunice Chishimba, called on all Zambians to embrace this year’s theme. Common wealth Day is Celebrated around the world each year on the 10th march.

BURMA SCHOOL 
BY BINGA

In trying to strengthen the relationship that exists between Zambia and the Great Britain, the British Council has been funding a project known as the Global Schools Partnership.

This is a project that started 5 years ago and involves more than 50 schools across the country. The project gives an opportunity to pupils to learn different survival skills as well as learn the more about the Great Britain and the Life style in General. Pupils in Britain also get to learn more about the Zambian Culture.

This is made possible through the funding from the British council which allows two Teachers from Zambia to go to UK where they learn a lot as well as teach the pupils that side about Zambia. This is not only one sided, teachers from Britain are also given a chance to come to Zambia to teach the Zambian.

The council also funds other projects in these schools such as those involving Agriculture. The pupils are taught how plant and maintain the gardens. The proceeds are then sold at a very affordable price as a way of helping the less privileged.

Today pupils at Burma Road Basic School where happy to receive two teachers from UK. The pupils talked to, expressed happiness and commended the project saying it helped them to learn a lot on what happens in other countries.

And one of the two teachers Mrs. Storey who was coming back to Zambia for the second time said she had learnt a lot from the project and thanked the Zambian people for being friendly.

08 MARCH 2008

“Help Us Become Great People”

Kids at Eva’s Little Star School had a youth day talent show at their school.

During the show they asked government to provide young people with things that will make them better people in life.

The kids said they too have rights that must be respected.

Young people are the future leaders of tomorrow so we must take good care of ourselves.

Hard work pays off for Chinyunyu community

Chinyunyu is a community in Chongwe district. Even though the area does not have electricity the people in the area were still determined to open a multi-purpose Tele-centre.

Through hard work the people of Chinyunyu now have a Tele-centre of their own.

The centre has computers and internet service. This will be helpful to the people in terms of communication.

Youths Spring Up For Greater Heights

Youths from a church called Deeper Life have not been left out of the Youth Week activities.

The youths held a special Youth Success Seminar. The theme of the talent seminar is springing up to the greater heights.

Through the seminar the youths are being encouraged to work hard in whatever they do that they can become great people in life.

07 MARCH 2008
RADIO TEACHER

Pupils at Lwimba basic school in Chongwe district have started learning with the use of the radio. This program is called the interactive radio instruction IRI. During the program teachers pupils follow instructions from the radio.

A grade one teacher from the same school, Musa Phiri said the program is bearing good fruits, and that pupils are responding positively to the lessons.

CENTRE FOR STREET KIDS CLOSED                           

BY MABVUTO.

Lusaka’s Salvation Centre in Makeni has been closed.Nineteen children have been affected by the closure of the centre.

The centre was closed by officials from the Social welfare department under the Ministry of Community development.

The Children from the centre have been moved to Fountain of Hope in Kamwala.

The children however are not happy with the closure of the Salvation Centre because they are no longer going to school.

06 MARCH 2008     
ZAMBIAN PUPILS WIN INTERNATIONAL AWARD                                                       

Two Zambian pupils have won the first and second prizes in an essay competition that was launched last year in June by the Food Agriculture Organisation-FAO-.

Ailed Banda of Kafue High school won the first prize and walked away with five hundred US dollars and a World Food Day Bronze medal.

Victoria Michelo Musale of Rephidim Institute came out second and walked away with four hundred US dollars and a World Food Day Bronze Medal.

Through the competition the young people were given a chance to share their ideas on how to end hunger in the world.

The essay competition was supported in all the Food Agriculture Organisation member countries. It attracted more than 900 submissions from around the world including Zambia.

A CLEAN UP FOR DEAF STUDENTS

Munali Girls Secondary school for the deaf today received help from the Lusaka City Council female workers.
This is part of the activities to celebrate the International Women’s day which falls on the 8th of March.

The women also helped in sweeping the rooms, classes as well as the toilets at the school.

A pupil at the school thanked the women for the support given. Francis Phiri called on society to treat the deaf equally, he also highlighted need to repair the toilets which are in a bad state.

5th March 2008

A FEW KIDS LEARN ABOUT OUR ENVIROMNENT

The British Council in Zambia has organized an event called Zero carbon city climate change exhibition at the Lusaka Museum.

This exhibition is meant to help kids learn more about how to protect the environment from pollution.

British Council program officer, Ackim Banda, hopes that the young people present will practice what they have learnt from the exhibition.

It is clear that Climate change in this world is affecting all of us. It therefore is important for us to protect our environment.

ELECTROCUTED!

A five year old girl of Lilanda compound in Lusaka was yesterday electrocuted with Zesco power cables.

The girl Precious Zulu was sent to the market to buy tomatoes.

An eye witness who was at the scene said the girl touched the loose cable and was immediately electrocuted.

The eye witness said the cable got cut on Saturday and Zesco was informed about the loose cable but no action was taken.

Here are some tips on how to keep you safe from electrocutions:

1. Do not touch naked wires.

2. Do not switch on the stove without an adults concern.

3. Do not play or swing on loose electric cables.

4TH March 2008

YOUTH EXPOSITION
By Siphiwe

The ministry of youth, sports and child development officiated a two day exhibition from the third to the fourth of March in commemoration of the youth week.

The exhibition is called a youth exposition and it is meant for youths to expose their talents and skills.
This year’s theme for youth day is promoting partnership with youths and other stakeholders for national development.

Youths have expressed happiness at the exhibition and they have urged all youths to discover their talents and to make use of the theme because it is through our talents that we can make a living.

CHOLERA

Cases of Cholera have been reported in Lusaka. Ministry of health Spokesperson Dr. Canisius Banda told Zed Kids News today that nineteen people are being treated.

He said seven of the cholera patients are at Matero Clinic while three are at Chipata Clinic.

Dr. Banda said the good news is that no one has died of cholera.

29th Feb 2008

Chainda Community school celebrates Women’s Day Early

Indeed there is every reason to celebrate in song and dance for these pupils at Chainda Community School.

This is because they have received special visitors at their school.

Female workers at ZESCO, company which supplies electricity to houses, today visited and give the pupils gifts in form of Books, Pens and chalk, as part of the women’s day celebrations that takes place next week.

The day, is a reminder that women and men are equal and should be treated the same.

It is for this reason that these women are sharing part of their time and things to ensure that boys and girls treat each equally while at school.

The pupils at the school are happy with what they have been given today.

Seed Academy Visits Muvi TV
By Naomi Chulu
 
Sixty kids from seed academy visited muvi TV today
 
Kids from seed academy came to muvi TV today to find out how the broad cast news and how the work to bring the programs on TV.

Five year old Jonathan was excited to tour around muvi TV he says his dream is to become a professional new caster.

Mrs. Mbale, a teacher at the school said the kids have a great vision ahead of them to become good and honest journalists.

She says she thought muvi TV was so small but to her surprise it looked so big and beautiful.

Tithandizane Helping More Than 500 Kids
By Naomi Chulu

Tithandizane is a child based community this community has a number of 500 kids who are orphans.

UNICEF brought hope to the kids of Tithandizane community school by donating toys the kids were happy to know that many people care for them

Rachel says the school has helped in enriching their knowledge she says though we have problems UNICEF has brought hope in our lives and happiness she later said the school needs rehabilitation the environment is not good enough for kids like us.
 

Mr. Albert Chirwa the school director says he is so grateful for what UNICEF did for them he says although the school is still having problems the kids are happy. He hopes for the government to look in the problems the school is facing.

26th Feb 2008

New Classroom Opened at Taonga Community School
By Naomi Chulu

There is an African adage that says it takes the whole village to raise the child .this has been the driving force behind one successful community initiative in Lusaka brought hope to the children.

This community is commonly referred to as Irish center because it was set up by the Irish embassy. This is a community center which houses a number of programs.
 
At the center there is a school called Taonga for children. The school helps to educate the kids.The kids at Taonga community school are happy about the new classroom which was built for them.The kids will no longer have to share one classroom.

Mr. Kingswell Nkhoma the manager of the school says his happy that the children can now be taught in a good environment. Mr. Nkhoma however noted that the school is still in need of desks.

Mothers in Kamanga Ask for New Health Centre
By Luwala Soko

Some mothers in Kamanga Compound have asked for a new health care centre where they can be taking their children for medical check ups.At the moment, the mothers take their babies to the Kamanga Community Hall were medical service is provided once in a month.

The mothers say they need a health centre where they can take their babies any time they fall sick.One of the mothers, Enelesi Tembo asked the government to build a clinic in the area.

“We are asking the government to build us a clinic here in Kamanga so that many people can be helped,” She said.

Residents in Kabanana Complain About Bad Roads
By Mwaka Nakweti

Since the rains started, some of the roads in Kabanana site and service are impassable. This means that the roads are bad and cannot be used by both those driving and those walking.

Residents of Kabanana site and service are not happy with the state of the roads.

They explained that the kids in the area are finding it difficult to go to school because of the bad roads.

Mandevu Member of Parliament Jean Kapata says there is money available to repair the roads.

26th Feb 2008

Kids Condemn Forced Marriages

By Henry Sakala

After a report came out on MUVI TV in which a young girl said she was being forced to get married, kids in Lusaka have come out against forced marriages.

Speaking to Zed Kids News at Five the kids noted that forcing anyone into marriages was abuse of rights.

“What I would love to say is that children have rights. We are taught about our rights at school and we read about them in the newspapers, so I don’t really see why children should be forced into marriage,” said Natasha Kasiya a pupil at Rhodespark School.

Another pupil added that children have human rights that need to be respected. He said those found doing this bad thing must be punished.

Police Spokesperson, Bonnie Kapeso advised those who are found in such situations to feel free to report the cases to the Police. “There are certain cultural beliefs where they think that it is right to force young girls into marriage. This is wrong and must be reported to the Police,” he said.

Kapeso said nobody must force things that may harm the rights of children.

Youth Day Preparations Start

By Mabvuto Phiri

The Independence Avenue was on Saturday blocked from Kamwala to the Civic Centre as young people from different schools prepared for this year’s Youth Day.

Pupils from schools like Munali, Kamwala and Kabulonga explained that Youth Day is important because it gives young people the chance to celebrate and express themselves.

“This is about giving us a chance to talk about things that are affecting us as youths”, said a pupil from Kabulonga Girls High School.

The young people were preparing their match past and speeches.

Others will like the cadets will be providing security while others in the Red Cross Club will see to it that they provide first aid service.

Youth day falls on the 12th of March.

Former street Kids In Need of Help

By Henry Sakala

Former street kids who underwent the Zambia National Service Skills training are in need of help.

Some of the young people who were last year removed from the streets and taken to different ZNS camps to be taught carpentry and mechanics are complaining of lack of jobs.

One of the former street kids, Kennedy Phiri said his life is difficult because he is no longer working.
“The person I was working for left and my tools were stolen so, I am doing nothing at the moment,” Kennedy said.

An organisation called Endangered Youths is working with the former street kids and is trying to help them.

Chairperson of the organisation Mr. Makweti said it is sad to see that the former street kids are back in the streets.

“As an organisation we are here to help them,” he said.

Last year government started removing street kids and sending them to ZNS Camps.

At the camps, the young people were taught many things that would help them get jobs and make money for themselves.

However some of the kids were reported to have run away while others complain of lack of jobs once they return from the camps.

23rd Feb 2008

THE JAPAN DAY

Today on saturday 23rd February 2008, There will be The Japan Day @ LusakaNational Museum at 10:00 hrs and continues throughout the day to 17:00hr.

Skills and Techniques in Japanese society and cultur will be exhibited with food, activities, and entertainment showcasing some of the most exciting elements of traditional and contemporary Japan.

This will include Judo demonstration, hi-tech Robot, Movie show (japanese Animaion) Yoyo Fishing, Origami, Calligraphy and many more!!!

21th Feb 2008

“Read More Book!” Kids Advice Their Friends

By Henry Sakala

It was a day of fun and excitement as kids from different schools gathered at Arcades to present books.

The kids performed poems in which the encouraged each other to read more.

“I love reading. I think in our house, I read more books than anyone else,” said Daniela Gamba a pupil at Rhodespark School.

Another pupil said: “I want to be a doctor and I know that through reading I will achieve my goal.”

Lawrence Mufusi said he reads more than nine books in a year.

“Currently I’m reading The Da Vinci Code. I have not yet finished reading it because it’s big,” he said.

Read Beyond Zambia Coordinator Nsama Chikwanka is happy with the contribution of books at Acardes shopping centre.

Minister of education Geoffrey Lungwangwa was also present at the function and he encouraged young people to read more books.

 Zambian Kids Celebrate Local Languages Day

By Henry Sakala

Today, February 21, Zambia joined the rest of the world in celebration The International Mother Language Day.

On this day people are reminded to cherish their local languages and continue using them.

However, some young people from Munali Boys high school are worried because many people have lost interest in speaking their languages.

“Many of us like using English but if even the teaching was done in local languages, many people would be educated,” said one of the pupils.

His friends agreed and added that watching films from countries like America and Britain have contributed to the loss of interest in local languages.

“If you don’t know how to speak English, language then becomes a problem. So local languages must be encouraged even on TV like they do it in Botswana and South Africa,” said another pupil.

The day was celebrated for the first time in Zambia with help from the University of Zambia Linguistics Association.

Chongwe High School Kids Keeping Their Culture

By Henry Sakala and Patricia Mapiki

Dancing and singing are part of our culture!

When the drum beats very few people can resist joining in the dance.

Culture is our way of life. The African culture is said to be dying because many African countries have embraced cultures from countries like America and Britain.

All hope is not lost. Clubs have been formed in schools to help keep our culture alive.

Chongwe High school is one such school and the kids from the culture club showed off their talent during a function by National Milling Company, held recently.

“We do this so that we can show the beauty of our culture and encourage our friends to join us,” one of the pupils at Chongwe High told Zed Kids news at five.

20th Feb 2008

Cuba’s President Quits
One of the oldest serving presidents in the world Fidel Castro has resigned as president of Cuba.

Many people around the world have welcomed Castro’s decision to quit as president of Cuba.

Castro’s brother Raul Castro is set to take over as president of Cuba.

The 81 year old Castro has been president of Cuba for more than 50 years. His resignation as president was announced on Tuesday, February 19.

Newly elected members of Cuba’s Parliament are expected to meet for the first time this Sunday to choose the new president.  Castro has been president of Cuba from 1959.
For some time now, has not been in good health.

More Sports for Children

Save the Children has come up with programmes aimed at having more children in sports.

Save the Children’s officer, Blanca Nomura says children must be allowed to play and hence the organization’s decision to come up with the sports programmes.

“We are supporting projects that deal with children’s rights and sports,” she said.

She added that children have many rights which also include the right to play.

Police Advise Children on Defilement

By Mwaka Nakweti

It has been reported that a girl aged 11 has supposedly been defiled in Lusaka’s Ng’ombe Compound.

The man accused of defiling her has been arrested and is in Police cells.

Defilement means having sex with someone who is below the age of 18.

The Police are concerned and has advised young people not move at night and to stay away from strangers.

Zambia Police Service Assistant spokesperson, Maelo Mwiinga explained that anyone found guilty of defilement will be sent to jail for 25 years.

19th Feb 2008

Are Girls Enjoying Equal Chances as Boys?
By Mwaka Nakweti

Boys and girls must be given the same opportunities in life. This is what Gender Equality is all about. Zambia as a country is working hard to make sure that girls and boys have the same opportunities in life.

However some kids talked to gave different and answers about this issue.

Some say girls and boys are having the same equal opportunities while others think boys are still being favoured.

“The girls are doing what we boys are doing and even us the boys are doing what the girls are doing,” a pupil at Lotus Basic school said.

Another pupil, a girl said boys are still being favoured especially at Basic schools.

Some other boys feel girls are still weak and they cannot such that they are not even better in subjects like Maths.

“Some of them say Maths is for Boys,” said one boy.

The governments in the Southern part of Africa have agreed to make sure that men and women are given the same opportunities in life.

In Zambia we have seen women and girls getting involved in jobs, sports and other activities that were considered for boys only.

This year, Women’s Day, March 8, will for the first time be a public Holiday.

Independence Stadium Still Being Repaired

By Mwaka Nakweti

The repair works at the independence stadium are still going on. The stadium was shut down last year to allow for repairs on the football ground and the seats.

A Z-Kids News@5 team that visited the area found work still in progress.

The artificial or ‘fake’ grass has already been taken to the stadium and what remains is to place it on the ground.

Kids in Kanyama Want a Good MP

By Naomi Chulu and Henry Sakala

Seven political parties are all set for the Kanyama By-Elections to be held on Thursday, the 21st of February.

Some of the political parties participating include the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, Patriotic Front, United Party for National Development, Forum for Development and Democracy and United National Independence Party.

All the candidates have promised to develop the area by constructing roads, improving the drainage system and making sure that there is clean water supply among many other things.

Kids in the area also had this to say:

“We want new roads.”

“We want someone who can remove the flood waters and build new roads”

These are some of the things that the children of Kanyama are requesting from whoever will become new MP.

The By-Elections are being held because the Kanyama MP, Mr. Henry Mtonga died last year.

18th Feb 2008

More Kids Reading Books at Lubuto Library

By Mwaka Nakweti

More kids are spending town reading books at the Lubuto Library in Lusaka’s Kamwala compound.

The Library which was opened last year at Fountain of Hope Centre is being used not only by the kids at the centre but other kids within Kamwala compound.

The kids that were found at the library explained that reading is important because it makes them know many things about the world.

They said some other books have interesting stories that they love reading.

“At break time, instead of playing with my friends, I come here to read some books”, said one young girl who was found selecting a book in the library.

Isaac Chirwa who works for Fountain of Hope said the library is open to all children and is at times used to teach them how to read and also used for story telling.

Under 17 Girls Lose to Ghana by 4 Goals to 0

The Zambia Under 17 Girls National Soccer team will not participate in the world cup next year. This is after they lost to Ghana by four goals to zero.

Ghana scored two goals in each half, in the game played at Ghana’s Ohene Djan Stadium on Sunday February 17.

Two weeks ago Zambia lost to Ghana by two goals to zero at Woodlands Stadium in Zambia.
Cheered on by a good number of supporters, Ghana played better than Zambia.

17th Feb 2008
Girls Support First Lady for Presidency

Some girls in Lusaka say there is nothing wrong with the first lady Maureen Mwanawasa standing for presidency.

This comes after some people including chiefs, started asking the first lady to be the next president of Zambia.

The girls talked to were happy with the suggestion saying as a woman, the first lady would make a better president because she is a mother.

“As a mother she can be a good president because she will be caring,” one of the girls said.

“There’s nothing wrong with her becoming president. In Zambia there’s democracy,” another said.

The next presidential elections in Zambia will be held in 2011.

In the world today there are very few female presidents.

Christina Fernandez is president of Argentina; Ellen Johnson is president of Liberia.

In the United States of America, Hilary Clinton also wants to become president.

16th Feb 2008

KIDS IN KAUNDA SQUARE HAPPY WITH NEW BRIDGE

Kids in Kaunda square stage one and two are happy because a bridge in the area has been built to help children cross over and go to school safely.

The children in the area were forced to use long routes when going to school because they didn’t have a proper bridge and were scared of falling off and this caused the kids to report late for school.

Pupils going to tunduya, Mumana basic school and Munali were the ones greatly affected.

Area Member of Parliament Mumbi Phiri is also happy with the new bridge.

GRADE SEVEN RESULTS ANNOUNCED

Over seventy thousand pupils who sat for their grade nine examinations have qualified to grade ten.

The minister in charge of education professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa announced the results in a parliament on Wednesday.

The minister announced that thirty three thousand three hundred and thirty four are girls while thirty seven thousand one hundred and eight are boys.

Pupils who have made it to grade 10 are happy. They are also urging the current grade nines to study very hard so that they can also make it to grade ten.

And two grade nine pupils have congratulated the grade tens for working very hard and passing with flying colours.

FOUR BADMINTON PLAYERS TO REPRESENT ZAMBIA 

Four badminton players have been selected to represent Zambia at the Thomas badminton tournament to be held in Mauritius. This tournament is billed for the weekend.

Eli Mambwe who is Africa’s second best badminton player and his coach says the preparations for the tournament are running smoothly.

Last year Elli said that he was going to stop representing Zambia at badminton tournaments because he was not receiving any support from government. And Elli has maintained that if the situation doesn’t change he will have no option but to stop playing.

Apart from that problem Elli and his friends still have problems with the infrastructure were they play badminton from.

The hall has no ventilation and it is covered with card boxes. This same hall will be used to host the all African games in 2011 and its state leaves much to be desired.

15th Feb 2008

Stealing Worries Mazyopa Kids

Kids who are part of the families who had their houses destroyed in Mazyopa compound are worried with the increase in stealing.

The kids and their families are presently living in tents after their houses were destroyed last year in August.

The kids complained that some people have started cutting holes in the tents and stealing property from the inside.

“We would like to move out of this area and go to Chongwe or Kabangwe where we can be safe”, one of the kids said.

The families are expected to shift to new places in Chongwe and Kabangwe where they will build new houses.

14th Feb 2008

St. Valentine's Story

St. Valentine was a priest who lived a long time ago in Rome.

The king of Rome, King Claudius wanted to have a big army.

Many men refused to join the army because they didn’t want to live their wives and families.

So the king decided not to allow any more marriages.
But Valentine continued to marry couples secretly.

When the kind found out about this he had Valentine arrested and killed.
When he was in jail many people sent him flowers and letters.

He also became good friends with the daughter of a prison guard.
On the day he was to die, he left his friend a letter thanking her for her friendship and love.

He signed it, “Love from your Valentine.”
It is believed that the letter started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine’s Day. The letter was written on the 14th of February, 269 A.D.
Every year on this day, people think about love and friendship.

Zambian Funniest Kids to Start on MUVI TV

If you are funny and aged below 13, then Zambian’s Funniest Kids is a programme for you.

MUVI TV will in the next two weeks start a programme for kids.

The programme will give kids a chance to show off their talent in comedy.

Producer and presenter of the programme, Kachanana says the programme will start in the next two weeks.

She added that the programme is meant to give young comedians a chance to show off their talent.
“Kids are just expected to do anything funny. It can be a dance or a song or just a funny story,” Kachanana said.

Kariba Dam Spillway Gate Opened

By Henry Sakala

A Spill way gate at the Kariba Dam wall has been opened. The gate was opened yesterday to allow water to flow out.

This was done to protect the walls of the Kariba dam from being damaged by the force of the water.

Director of water resource and management under the Zambezi River Authority explained that there was too much water in the dam.

Many people from different parts of the country watched while the water gushed out of the Spillway gate.

“We have decided to open just one gate so that we can avoid flooding the area,” he said.

And some of the kids at the Kariba Dam did nothing but enjoy the beauty of the dam and the flowing water.

“I have come with my uncle to watch the water from the dam,” one of the kids said.

Kariba Dam is one of the largest man made dam in the world.

The dam which was opened in 1959 was made to store water which is used to power or turn on electricity generators.

It is 128 metres high and 579 metres long.

Zambia to Experience More Rains

By Costa Mwansa and Henry Sakala

Many parts of Zambia have been flooded because of the heavy rains in the country.

Southern and Lusaka provinces are some of the places that have been affected by the floods.

In Lusaka, places like Kabwata, Kamwala and Kanyama have been flooded.

Some children are no longer going to school because their schools have been flooded.

The Weather department says more heavy rains and floods are expected, especially in the Northern parts of Zambia.

Mr. Mulambo, an officer at the Weather department explained that the weather pattern in Zambia will soon change.

The change will lead to more rains in the northern parts of Zambia.

Matero Boys Art Room Repaired

By Costa Mwansa

If the Art department at Matero Boys High school is receiving more pupils, then the renovated art room is the reason.

After helping his school win 25 Million kwacha in an art competition, Michael Zulu is a proud pupil.

Last year, Michael won an art competition organised by African Banking Corporation. He walked away with twenty five million kwacha for himself while  twenty million kwacha was given to his school.

The pupils at the school are happy with the way the money has been used.

“The art room is now cleaner and we are happy to be learning in a nice room,” one of the pupils at the school said.

Art Teacher, Mr. Nondo at the school also explained that more pupils especially grade eights now want to take up art because of the new equipment in the art department.

12th Feb 2008                                               Stories by Henry Joe Sakala

Under 17 Girls National Team Ready for Ghana

The under 17 girls’ national team players say they are ready for their game against Ghana on Sunday, February 17, 2008.

The girls, who lost their first game against Ghana at Woodlands stadium by two goals to zero, have promised nothing but a win.

The girls have to win the game by three or more goals if they are to qualify to the Under 17 Girls World Cup.

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Team coach Wisdom Kaira said the team is ready for the game.“We are going to Ghana to win. In the first game we were playing under pressure because it was the first time for many of the games in the team,” the coach said.

The girls have to win the game by three goals to zero. It is important for them not to allow Ghana to score a goal.

The games are part of qualifying matches for the Under 17 Girls World Cup.

Munali High School Pupils Take Up P.E

More pupils in high schools are getting involved in Physical Education – P.E.

In the year 2002, President Mwanawasa declared that Physical Education be part of all schools in Zambia.

Since then Physical education has been introduced in most of the schools in Zambia.

Munali High school is one of the many schools that have Physical Education.

The pupils involved said P.E helps some of them to be healthy while others said it helps them lose weight.

“We do many exercises and so they help us to be healthy and also if you are fat, you can lose weight,” one of the pupils said.

The Zed Kids News at Five team joined some pupils at Munali High school during their Physical Education activities.

New Kanyama Basic School Still Closed

Some kids in Kanyama Township are still unable to go to school because their school is closed.

New Kanyama Basic School was closed last month after it was flooded.

The classrooms were filled with water making it difficult for teaching to be done.

Some of the teachers at the school moved into some dry classrooms after their houses got flooded.

Kids in Kanyama are now worried.

11th Feb 2008                                               Stories by Henry Joe Sakala

Defending champions Egypt won a record sixth Africa Cup of Nations over Cameroon.

The only goal of the game came from Mohamed Aboutrika pushing home a Mohamed Zidan pass after a mistake by Cameroon's Rigobert Song.

The Pharaohs become the first side to win back-to-back titles twice, and Hassan Shehata only the second coach to win successive trophies.

Cameroon were seeking a fifth title, but rarely troubled the Pharaohs.

Egypt had much the better of the first half, creating most of the scoring chances with their mobility.

With 13 minutes remaining, Egypt finally got the goal they deserved.

Check for more on the BBC website

10th Feb 2008                                               Stories by Henry Joe Sakala

Drama
Some kids have started using drama to spread positive masseges to their friends. The group led by kayumba do plays that talk about issues like AIDS, fake pastors, irresponsible parent and so on.

The boys said they want to be as grate as actors like Bikiloni and Malumba Malumba of survivors. Interesting enough, the boys are already grate and have so much talent.

We hope that the boys will continue and grow up to be Zambia’s best actors. However they will need support from the schools, their families and the government and of course from you and me.

Games
Yesterday  was a day  of fun for the pupils from different school in Lusaka. The pupils gathered at Kamwala High school, Libala high school and Matelo Boys for the provincial inter schools games.

Z-Kids News at five joined some of the pupils at Kamwala High School to find out more about the games. Basketball and girls’ football were two of the most popular games played. Like they say “All play and no work makes Joe a dull boy” so please take some time off from school work and play some games.

10th Feb 2008                                               Stories by Henry Joe Sakala

Kids Learn About French and Movies

The Alliance Francaise in Lusaka was today full of kids who went there to learn some French and watch movies.

It was a day of great fun and excitement as the kids met new friends and took some time off school.

“I have learnt a lot here. We went through to the Library and watched a movie called The Two Tigers which taught as about brotherhood,” one of the pupils said.

The kids talked to showed off what they learnt to the Zed kids crew that was at the event.

Z-Kids news at Five presenter, Costa Mwansa also joined in the fun and learnt a few words of French.

An officer, Judith Profil, at the Alliance Francaise explained that the centre has started holding different activities for children.

She said the centre has in the past concentrated more on kids at French schools and left out kids from government schools.

“Every Friday morning we will be having something for the children,” she said.

Kids at Little Woods School Show off Their Talent

Poetry, song and dance! That’s what was happening at Little Woods School today.

Kids from all grades were not in class today but out on the stage performing songs, poems and dances.
The activities were part of Little Woods 12th birthday.

In one of the poems that were performed, the kids encouraged each other to work as a team and continue living in peace.

“Team stands for Together, Everyone, Achieves More!” the kids said in their poem.

Jeans Day@ School

Forget the uniform. Pupils at Mary Queen of Peace today wore jeans to school.

Now we all know that at school we are required to wear uniforms. But today, pupils at Mary queen of peace left their uniforms at home and put on jeans.

That’s right, all pupils and teachers were in jeans today at the school.

The activity was meant to see just how the girls look like when they are relaxing at home.

Above all, Jeans Day was also held to raise money which the school hopes to use for school activities like educational trips, buying prizes for the awards giving ceremony and many other important activities at the school.

7th Feb 2008                                                 Stories by Henry Joe Sakala

Child trafficking or human trafficking involves three stages: Recruitment, Transportation and exploitation.

First a person is offered fake promises, then taken to a new and strange place and then abused.An officer from IOM explained that In Africa over six hundred thousand children have been trafficked by fake promises of good jobs and schools in big towns within and outside.

6th Feb 2008                                                    Stories by Henry Joe Sakala

CAMFED to Help Stop Child Abuse

An organisation called Campaign for Female Education; CAMFED has started a programme aimed at stopping the abuse of children in schools.

Reports of children being abused physically, mentally and sexually continue being reported in the news.

Recently it was reported that a father made his own daughter pregnant. This sad story and more is one of the reasons why this programme has been started.

Chairperson of CAMFED Barbara Chilangwa said children have rights that must be respected all the time.

“Sometimes people think children’s rights are a favour, no. Children have the right to good health, good education and to live in a good environment,” Mrs. Chilangwa said

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CAMFED will be working together with the Police and the International Organisation for migration.

Kids Talk Against Corruption

MUVI TV has joined in the fight against corruption. Every Thursday on Zed Kids News at Five and the main news, MUVI TV will be bringing anti corruption messages.

In order to make the kids understand more about corruption, the Zed Kids news team went out to talk to some young people around Lusaka.

The kids showed great knowledge about corruption and spoke against it. They sad corruption is bad and must be stopped.
Corruption is the misuse of public office for private gain.
For example if someone who failed the grade seven exams can pay school official money so that a school place is found.

Or if you are a noise maker in class but you give food or money to the monitor so that he or she removes your name from the list of noise makers.

Or when a bus driver is caught on the road for not following the rules but the officer just tells the driver to pay him money and sets the driver free. That is corruption.

Corruption is bad because noise makers will not be punished, bad drivers will not be arrested and people who failed grade seven will go to grade eight in place of someone who passed.

Africa Cup Enters Semi-Finals

The Africa Cup of nations in Ghana has entered the semi-finals.

This means four teams have now remained to battle it out for the championship.

Ghana will play against Cameroon while Ivory Coast will play against Egypt.

The games will be played tomorrow.

Zambia, Namibia, Angola and South Africa represented the Southern part of Africa.

Unfortunately all these teams are out of the competition.

The question that everyone is now asking is: Who will win the cup and become Africa’s football champions?

Will it be Ghana, Ivory Coast, Egypt or Cameroon? We can all only find out after the games tomorrow.

5th feb 2008                                                    Stories by Henry Joe Sakala

Fighting AIDS Through Dance

A new project aimed at fighting AIDS has been started in Zambia.

The project which involves sharing of information about AIDS through dance is called Dance for Life.

The project was started in the Netherlands and has spread to other parts of the world like Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya, Russia, Germany, South Africa, Ireland, Nigeria, UK, Vietnam and now Zambia.

The project was launched in Lusaka at Matero Boys Secondary school.

It was attended by the deputy minister of education and an official from the Coca cola Company.

The young people in Zambia are so excited and happy to have this kind of programme which they say will help them learn more about AIDS.

Kids not left out in Kanyama Bye Elections

Although many kids in Kanyama Township, in Lusaka are not at the right age of voting, they have know exactly what kind of Member of Parliament they want.

The people of Kanyama are preparing for elections. Voters in the area will soon be voting for a Member of Parliament.

There are many things that are affecting the people of Kanyama, like the lack of clean water supply and the problem of garbage. The children have also been affected especially by the floods.

Schools, like New Kanyama Basic School have been flooded forcing some children to miss school.

So we went to Kanyama to find out just what the children would like the new MP to do for them, once he or she is voted into office.

The kids said they want the next MP to remove the water from the area and make good drainage systems.

They also want the MP to ensure that garbage in the area is removed.

Majory Kafuni: Zambia’s Upcoming Tennis Player

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At the age of thirteen, she has already won four under 14 competitions. Majory Kafuni is set to be Zambia’s next Tennis Champion

We spoke to Majory to find out just what her secret to success is.

“I love playing Tennis, and some of my favourite players are the Serena sisters (Serena and Venus),” she said.

She added that training hard and listening to what the coaches tell her are some of the other things that have made her become a good Tennis player.

Majory noted that even though Tennis is becoming popular, there are still very few girls playing the game.

“I would like to encourage more girls to join Tennis because it is a good and clean game,” she said.

Majory also asked the government and companies in Zambia to give more support to Tennis.

Cricket Under-15 Prepares for Four Nations Cup

Next month, Zambia is set for some Cricket action when she hosts the Four Nations Cricket competition. Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe are expected to come for the competition.

We spoke to some of the players and their coach to find out how the preparations for the competition are going.

Team coach Widon Lambe said a team of 23 players have been selected and they have already started training.

“We will pick the final team from this group of 23,” the coach said.

The young players also said they will be ready by the time the competition starts.

While the under 15 are training hard, another group of younger player is also busy training.

The kids are preparing themselves to be great Cricket players.

Three grade eleven pupils of Mpika high school have been arrested for allegedly murdering a fellow pupil.

The pupils who were recently appointed as prefects are reported to have murdered a grade ten pupil, Davis Musonda, after he failed to do a punishment that they had given him.

Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso explains to muvi tv today.

Quiet sad there and we hope that all you guys out there who have been selected as prefects or monitors will not be violent towards your fellow pupils.

Being in leadership does not give you the right to beat up people.

17th June 2007

There was excitement in Chawama when kids cheered as political parties filed in names of candidates to take part in the John Howard ward 2 by-elections.

The Elections are expected to take place on November 8.

The MMD has nominated Bishop Joseph Mutambo while the PF has nominated Robert Chikwelete as candidates for the John Howard local government by elections.

For those of you that may not know, a by-election is a special election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between general elections.
Usually this happens when the person that was in the position of leadership like an MP or a Councilor has died, resigned, or becomes so sick that they cannot continue with the job.

17th June 2007

Today Zambia’s representatives at the just ended Special Olympics Games held in Shanghai – China back home,

The Zambian team that participated in this year’s Special Olympics held in Shanghai-China is back.

We went over to Sport in Action to find out exactly how the team faired at the games.
 Great to see that the team had a great time and learnt quiet a lot at the Olympic games. We just hope that the team will be ready for more competitions.

20th june

click here to view Video

From January this year to date the Zambian Government has succesfully managed to remove over 346 children from the streets, this job is being dane by the ministry of child development and social servives Cathrine Namugala who is the Ministrer incharge of the ministry cornfirmed to say the children who were at the Manda Hill foot bridge have now been taken awy to dropping centres in Lusaka she explained that giving money top the kids in the streets is bad because the kids used the money to buy drugs and other harmful substances.

There are so many ways of teaching kids school is not the only place where you can find information on many things that are affect us. sport is one great way of teaching, not only the youth but also the kids as well. that is why some basket ball trainer from the United States of America have come to Zambia to share what they know to the Zambian children.The kids had alot to learn from the american trainers

02 August

While president of Zambia Levy Patric Mwanawasa and president of Botswana Festace Muhawe were getting set to open the show, Zkids news @ 5 had there first visitors at the muvi TV stand. Alice, Lucy, Nicolous and Christine went round the muvi TV stand. they meet Mabvuto Phiri the news Editor, Patricia Mapiki the reportor, Metrix the Cameraman and video Editor. Else whele with in the show grounds kids had lots to sayu about this years comecial and agriculture show

Just from the first day one was able to know that it was going to be a very interesting show

Click here to view video

03 August

APTER is an organisation that help the diabled children with both physical execises and mental upliftment. it is a charity for the children with diability. it has been descovered that even the children with disability have talents therefor Kenneth Habalu is aging all parents with disabled children never to hide there children in there home as being disabled is not the end of the world. Mr Kennedy Habalu is also calling on any one whos got any thing to offer to the disabled children to come forth in this fight.

Gender equality Artist

click here to view video clips

Isaac Kalwiji a young artiest cries whose art painting is forcast on gender equality for financial help saying paint is very expensive to buy hence he ends up just doing most of his art worts on either pain papers or canvas with a pancil and differently coloured ball pionts. He also aged the gornment to incourage most of the school to produce more art students and pupils so that atleast those people who are not in formal employment can find some ways and means of making two ends meet because he believes that art is in every thing and is found every where.

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Former Miss Zambia To Help Street Children

Former Miss Zambia Cynthia Kanema has formed an organization that will help remove children from the streets.
It is believed that 1.5 million children in Zambia are living on the streets. They spend their time begging for money and food.

The government through the ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development has taken some children off the streets.
The government is taking these children to Zambia National Service Camps around the country.
At these camps children are taught different things that will help them to be better people in life.
Cynthia Kanema’s organization has been formed to help government with this programme.
‘We as Zambians must work together to ensure that there are no children living on the streets,’ Cynthia said.

How long do you think a journey by car from a town called Cairo in Egypt to another town called Cape Town in South Africa would take? Quiet a long time, right? Now imagine making that same trip by… bicycle. How long would that take?
One month? Two months? One year? Two years?

It's Cairo To Cape Town By Bicycle!

Well, a group of cyclists from around the world are making this trip and they say it will take them more than five months.

We caught up withy the team in Lusaka were they were taking a break from the journey.
The leader of the group, Allan said itw as an exciting trip that gives them an opportunity to see the different cultures of the countries that they pass through.

Another cyclist, 71 year old man from Australia complained of being tired but he said he enjoyed the rising because it was good exercise for him.

The group is expected to rest again in Botswana before making the final trip to Cape Town in South Africa.

Kids Having Fun With Sports

Zambia’s former 400 Metres hurdles, Champion Samuel Matete has formed what is called a sports academy or a school for sports.
With this sports academy children are being given a chance to learn different games. But this is not just about sports; the children are also gaining something else.
With each competition, the winners of the games are given books, school bags and pencils to use at school.
‘We want the children to get something else apart from sport and we want the parents to encourage these children to join sports,’ Matete said.
Samuel Matete is remembered for winning a gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles.

CHINA TO OPEN A COPPER MINE IN ZAMBIA

On Saturday the 3rd of February, the president of China, Mr. Hu Jintao visited Zambia to hold meetings with president Levy Mwanawasa.
China and Zambia have worked together for the good of their people for a long time now.

Mr. Hu Jintao agreed with president Mwanawasa to open copper mine in Zambia.
The mine will offer jobs to many Zambians.
The two leaders also talked about what else china and Zambia can do together for the development of both countries.

From the meetings that were held between China and Zambia, it is believed that more companies will be opened by the Chinese people.

Mr. Hu left for Namibia on Monday to hold some more meetings with the president of Namibia.

MPS VISITED BY PUPILS AT PARLIAMENT

A group of pupils from Saint Francis School paid members of parliament a visit right at the parliament building.

The visit was not just a friendly visit, they went to ask the Members of Parliament or Mps what they are doing for the people in their constituencies, more especially the children.

The children also learnt what exactly MPs do when they are at Parliament.
One of the MPs Given Lubinda talked to the children about many things that will help them to be great people.
Lubinda advised the girls to report anyone who touches them on the breasts. He said this was wrong and is called sexual abuse.
Lubinda also advised them to stay away from beer and smoking.
An MP is a person who speaks on behalf of the people in his or her constituency.
A constituency is a group of people from whom an individual or organization hopes to get support. It can also be described as a group of people, a place or area that an elected person like an MP, speaks on behalf of in parliament or anywhere else.

UTH CHILDREN’S WARD RECIEVES 300 CHAIRS

The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) children’s ward was not the most comfortable ward at the hospital because there were no chairs to sit on.

But now people should not worry anymore because MTN has donated chairs to the children’s ward.

Three hundred chairs for children and other people to sit on were donated to the hospital. Some other chairs and tables were given to the doctors and other workers at the hospital to use.

With the donation of the chairs children, parents, and doctors will have somewhere to sit when they go to the hospital.
Doctor Mukuka, who works at the children’s section of UTH thanked MTN for giving them the chairs.
She advised other companies and organisations to follow MTN’s example and give help to the hospital.

More companies are advised to follow MTN’s example and help organisations like hospitals which are very important to all of us.
MTN is one of the companies that provide telephone services to people in Zambia.

Using Children as Soldiers Must Be Stopped

A minister in the government of France Philippe Douste-Blazy has advised that using children as soldiers must be stopped.
Speaking at a meeting discussing what must be done to stop the use of children as soldiers, the French foreign minister warned that the use of child soldiers is bad for the growth and development of Africa and other countries.
Mr. Douste-Blazy told the meeting which is being held in Paris, the capital city of France, that child soldiers were:
"Lost children, lost for peace and lost for the development of their countries."
It is believed that about 250,000 child soldiers are now fighting in wars, mostly in Africa.
People attending the meeting heard a former child soldier tell of his experiences during the war in Sierra Leone.
Ishmael Beah, who fought for almost two years, talked about the bad things he did during the war.
The former child soldier, now 26, was only 13 years old when he was forced to become a soldier and fight in the war in Sierra Leone.
The conference, hosted by the United Nations children's Agency and the French government, will seek to get countries to sign up to a new plan known as the Paris Principles.
The plan will be used to make countries work harder to release children from wars and take them back to normal life.

Kids Not Happy with Increased Bus Fares

The Price of Petrol and diesel has been increased. This has led to an increase in the price of many other things like mealie-meal.
But mealie meal is not the only thing that has been increased. Bus fares have also been increased.
First it was the big buses that travel to other towns which increased their bus fares. Now even the small buses that take us from one place to another within Lusaka have also increased their prices.
On Monday this week, the bus drivers increased bus fares by 500 kwacha. If you used to pay 500 kwacha when going to school it means you are now going to be paying 1000 kwacha. That is K500 more.
We talked to some kids over the fuel prices and they said it was not fare that the bus fares were increased.

“They must just increase for the adults because they have money. But us, we are children. They should allow us to just pay K500,” said Michael Zulu, a pupil at Lusaka High School.

Under 2O Lose to Congo Brazzaville

Congo Brazzaville has beaten Zambia by 1 goal to 0. This means Zambia will not play in the finals of the African Youth Championship.

Congo Brazzaville will for the first time play in a final against Nigeria on Saturday.Nigeria has won this competition five times.

Harris Tchilimbou, a player from Congo Brazzaville scored the only goal in the game against Zambia.

Zambia was a better team but missed many goals.
And one of the Zambian players, Clifford Mulenga was shown a Red Card for punching another player from Congo.
When a player is shown a Red Card by the referee, he is removed from the game.

Congo Brazzaville will play against Nigeria in the final. Whoever wins this game, will be the champions.

For Zambia, it means they will be in position number three or four depending on whether they win or lose they game against Gambia.

Minister Checks UNZA Foot Bridge

It’s not everyday that you get to be pushed on a wheel chair by a minister.
But for University of Zambia student, Georgina Mumba it was an exciting day when the minister of Works and Supply Kapambwe Simbao helped her go up the UNZA footbridge.

But the Minister and Georgina were not at the foot-bridge to help each other up and down the bridge.
They were here to check if the foot-bridge is strong and if it can be used by people like Georgina who have disabilities.
“So far I have used the bridge and it is fine but we have to wait until it is finished,” Georgina said.

For some children, the building of the bridge is a good thing.
“This bridge will help us avoid accidents and we will be able to cross the road safely,” said 14 year old Geoffrey Chinete.
But for James Mwale all he could say is that the bridge is beautiful.
After checking the bridge, Mr. Simbao was happy because so much good work had been done on the bridge. He however was not happy with some other work that has been done on the bridge.

He told the builders of the bridge to make sure that it is safe and strong.

With the building of the Foot-bridge, we hope there will be fewer accidents on the Great East Road.

PE Back in Schools

The Ministry of Education in Luanshya has brought back physical education, P.E in schools as instructed by the president, Levy Mwanawasa. Speaking at a one day meeting for all teachers in Luanshya, Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Zacharia Mwila said the ministry in the area was just doing what the president instructed.
Mr. Mwila told the Physical Education teachers in schools to put P.E on the time table and be treated like any subject in school.
He was sad that P.E had in the past been ignored when it was a subject which helped a lot of people make money to look after their families.
He said that some pupils were not good in subjects like Maths, therefore it was good to educate pupils in P.E because they can use it to become big sports stars in life.

Zambian Children Still Involved in Child Labour

Many children in Zambia are still doing difficult jobs like selling in the streets and crushing stones.
Just take a walk to Kalingalinga or to Kafue road and you will find them. While so much has been said about stopping children from doing these kinds of jobs, the children are still out there doing these jobs.
When children get involved in these difficult jobs it is called child labour. Why are these children getting involved in child labour and what does the government have to say about it? The Z-Kids News@5 team went out to find out the answers to these questions and this is what we found out:

Some children do these difficult jobs because they don’t have parents to help them pay for school.

Others do it because their parents have no jobs or there get paid very little money.

So if the government provides jobs where people can get paid good money, some children can stop doing these jobs and be in school.

And of course we also have to find ways of helping the children go to school.

The minster in charge of Labour said in an interview that parents or other people looking after children must not allow them to crush stones.

We hope that something will be done to stop children from getting involved in child labour.

Zambia 3 Cameroon 2

Finally it is celebration time for the young Zambia National team. The team beat Cameroon by 3 goals to 2.
Like he promised Zambia National Under-20 Soccer team player, Fwayo Tembo’s goal has given Zambia hope of reaching the finals of the African Youth Championship.
The boys played well although Cameroon almost won when they scored a goal towards the end of the game. This is when Fwayo Tembo scored a goal in the last minute to make Zambia win.
In a game played on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, the other two goals were scored by Simon Lupiya, and Clifford Mulenga.
Zambia's plays its next game against Egypt on Saturday January 27, 2007.
Meanwhile Egypt drew One all with Nigeria in another group match also played on Wednesday.
This means that Zambia now is on number two on the table with 3 points following joint group leaders EGYPT and Nigeria who both have 4 points, while Cameroon are below with no point.
Some kids that we talked to in Lusaka were so happy and the only thing they could say was: “We are happy that Zambia won!”

“It’s great!”
The other great news is that Zambia now has a chance of making it to the finals of the African Youth Championship which is being held in Congo Brazzaville.

“We Need More Play Parks” - Children Tell Lusaka Mayor

When Lusaka Mayor Susan Nakazwe heard a knock on her door and said “Come in!” she did not expect to see children from South End School.
Well, Tuesday, January 23, 2007, was a completely different day for her because some children went to her office not to just visit but to ask her some questions and give her some advice.

Well, many of us know that Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia, which makes it a very big city with many people.

These people who live in Lusaka need many things like water, houses, good roads, schools and so on.

Now, the Lusaka city council is in charge of providing all these things. And the Mayor is the one in charge of the council.

And that is why some children from South end school in Lusaka decided to pay the Mayor Mrs. Susan Nakazwe a visit to find out what the council is doing for children in Lusaka this year.

The children asked the mayor to build more play parks for them and to build homes where children who live on the streets can go.

“The mayor should also make sure that the rubbish is removed from the city,” one of the children said.

Another child added that there must be clean water taken to all houses in Lusaka.

The mayor was happy to have the children visit her and she promised to look into some of the things that were suggested.

National Budget Out on 9th February

Just like we all plan how to use our money at home so does the government. On Friday, February 9th 2007, the Minister of Finance Ng’andu Magande will announce to parliament and to the country how Zambia will spend its money and how it will raise money this year. This is called the National Budget.
In the national budget, the minister of finance explains how the country will spend its money.

He also explains how the country will raise money to use for improving the lives of people in Zambia.
For example, in the budget the minister will say how much money will be spent on education, how much money will be spent on buying medicine for the hospitals and so on.
On how to raise money, the minister will for example say people have to pay more tax.
Now, tax is money that all the people in Zambia pay to the government.

For some of those who work they pay this tax by paying a certain amount of money off their salaries to the government. This tax is called Income Tax and in this year’s budget we will find out how much this tax will be.
Z-kids spoke to some children from Lake Road School in Lusaka about the budget and they seemed to know quite a lot about it.
A grade 7 pupil Kaunda Chiwele explained that he too makes a budget from the money he is given for school.
On the national budget Kaunda hoped that more money will be spent on education so that more children can go to school.

Another child Felistus explained that with many people still suffering and living in bad places that have no water and proper toilets, more money must be used to help them.

“When I go to compounds and see people suffering I feel bad,” she said.
It is hoped that this year more money will be given to help the poor and build more schools for children.

So what do we know about the budget and what do we want the government to spend the money on?

UNZA Receives Help

We all want to be great people in life. And the best way to do this is through education. The highest level of education is University. First you go to pre-school or nursery, primary and secondary school and then we go to college or University where we learn to be doctors, lawyers, engineers, nurses, and so on.

The University Of Zambia is the biggest university in Zambia.
Lately it has had many problems but there is something being done to solve these problems.

These problems are:
Þ No clean water
Þ Few rooms for students to sleep in
Þ And students getting involved in accidents on the Great East Road.
But now something is being done to solve these problems.

A walk over bridge is being made over the Great East Road to the University. This will reduce on the number of accidents.

Bole holes have been sunk at the university so that clean water is supplied to the students.

The president of Zambia Levy Mwanawasa recently laid a foundation stone where new rooms for students to sleep in are expected to be built.

These are some of the good things that are being done at the university.

This is good because it means when we finish school and want to go to the university there will not be as many problems as there are now.

Peace and Quiet for Some Kids in Mtendere

Some children in Mtendere will now have some quiet time to study and clean water to drink after a tavern near their homes was closed by the council.

The Member of Parliament for Munali, Mumbi Phiri also participated in the closing down of this tavern.

The tavern was adults go to drink beer was making noise for the children because loud music was played there.

The other problem is that the toilets for the tavern were built on top of water pipes.

This made the drinking water very dirty for the people living near the tavern.

This is what made the council and the Member of Parliament for Munali to close the tavern

Now clean water can flow to this area and the school children can have some quiet time to study.

Fuel Prices Go Up

Some drivers may have to park their cars because the price for petrol and diesel has been increased. And for those of us who use Paraffin to light our fires, no more big fires because the price of Paraffin has also been increased.

The price for one litre of petrol has been increased from K5, 397 to K6, 095. For a litre of Diesel the price is now K5, 377 from K4, 342 while Paraffin has increased from K3, 919 to K4, 342 per litre.

This was announced by the Energy Regulation Board. This is an organization that makes sure that all those who sell fuel in Zambia sell it at the same price.

Now with this increase some school going children are worried that the price of transport may also be increased.

We spoke to some of them and this is what they said:
“Our parents only give us K1000 every day. So we use K500 for transport and K500 for food.
So if the price of transport is increased, some of us will start walking to school.” One of the kids talked to, said.

“If they increase, they should just increase for the older people because they have more money. We, don’t have lots of money.” Another child said.

The increase in fuel has also made the price of mealie meal to be increased.

This has happened because to make mealie – meal fuel like petrol and diesel are used to make machines work.

Fuel is very important because it is used to make machines that make the cars move and other machines that help in making other things, work.

So when the price of fuel goes up, the price of other things may also go up. We hope that the price of fuel will be reduced soon.

It’s Zambia Vs Nigeria!

Forget the big football stars of Africa like Drogba, Eto’o and Christopher Katongo.

This Sunday, January 21, the African Youth Championship begins in Congo Brazzaville.

At this competition, only young players who are 20 years old and younger are allowed to play.

The Zambia Under – 20 National Football team will be playing at the tournament and their first game will be against Nigeria.

The team has been training for the tournament for the past one month.

The team also trained in South Africa for 12 days. During this training they beat big teams there like Moroka Swallows.

Zambia is in Group B with teams like Nigeria, Cameroon and Egypt. This means Zambia will have to play with these teams and winning before moving on to the second round.

With players like Fwayo Tembo and Yorum Mwila Jr., it is hoped that the Zambian team will win this competition.

Five Schools to be Closed in Lusaka

The Lusaka City Council says it will close five schools in Lusaka because of Cholera.

Cholera is a disease that makes people have diarrhea and makes them vomit a lot. The disease is caused by living in dirty surroundings and drinking dirty water.

The germ that causes Cholera can also be spread by flies which sit on dirty things and then sit on our food.
News that Cholera has not stopped in Lusaka is worrying because it means people are still not keeping their surroundings clean. This has made the Ministry of Health, The Council, The Red Cross, and other organizations to work together to try and stop Cholera.

The council has decided to close the five schools of George Compound so that children can stay home and not get Cholera.

The ministry of health and the Red Cross are going to many houses to give free Chlorine.
Chlorine is a liquid added to water. It kills the Cholera germ but is not harmful to people.

ZESCO and the council are also busy removing heaps of rubbish from the many places in Lusaka.

The Cholera treatment centre in Matero has also increased the number of beds for Cholera patients from 20 to 100.

All this is good work because it will help to stop Cholera.

But the people of Lusaka and the other towns in Zambia must make sure that they wash their hands after using the toilet, wash their fruits, eat hot food, boil their drinking water, or add Chlorine to it and most of all make sure they keep their surroundings clean.

Street Vendors in Danger

Street Vendors selling their goods under Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) pylons are in danger.

Zesco pylons are poles that hold electricity wires high up in the sky.
Some street vendors in Lusaka are selling in a place where there are many Zesco pylons.

Street vendors are those people that sell their goods on the streets or in places away from the markets.
Yes, markets like City market have been built for people to sell in.
But many people still sell on the streets or anywhere away from the markets.
Selling under Zesco pylons is very dangerous and the minister of Local government and housing has advised street vendors to move to a new place.
The street vendors have however refused and the new market is still empty.
The street vendors say they don’t want to sell from the new market because people don’t go there to buy things.

We spoke to some people who went to the new market and they said everything is fine there.

They advised their friends selling in the streets to go there where it is safe.

Constitution for Children

The Human Rights Commission has advised the government of Zambia to write a simple constitution that children can understand.

Human Rights Commission Director Enoch Mulembe said this in an interview with Z-Kids News@5.

Mr. Mulembe also explained that a constitution is a book that gives the people of a countries rules and duties.

Just like a school has rules like “No Late Coming to School or No Noise Making in Class, a country has its own rules as well.

It is in the constitution that the duties of the government are written.

One other thing that Mr. Mulembe mentioned is that a constitution is written by the people of Zambia.

Last year the government of Zambia put together a team of people to come up with a new constitution. This team was called the Constitution Review Commission.

They have come up with a new constitution and what remains now is for Zambia to stop using the old constitution and start using the new one.

New Mine to be Opened in Mazabuka

There are many mines in Zambia.
It is at mines where minerals like copper are dug out from under ground.
Copper is used to make wires like the ones used to transport electricity into our homes.
Now, a new mine will be opened in Mazabuka next year in March.
At this mine another mineral and not copper will be mined.
The new mine will be called Munali Underground Project.
At this mine minerals called Platinum and Nickel will be mined.

Now Mining is a big job that involves lots of digging on very big land.

So some people near the new mine have had their homes destroyed.

But not to worry because the owners of the new mine have already started building new houses, a school and a clinic for the people in the area.

Countries like Zambia make lots and lots of money from selling minerals like copper and platinum to other countries.

New Grade Ones Report To School

Monday January 8, 2007 was a special day for many kids out there. It was there first day in Primary school. Hundreds of grade Ones reported to school and we at Zed kids went out to find out how their first day at school, was.

We also spoke to their parents and they explained to us just how important school is.
One of the mothers who was interviewed by Z-Kids News@5 said she decided to send her child to school because with school the child will have a bright future.
She said she did not want her child to suffer like her.
“I am poor because I did not go to school, that’s why I want my child to go to school so that he can be better than me. I also want to encourage others to send their children to school. School is good,” the parent said.
And the children themselves were so happy to have gone to primary school for the first time.
Some of them were looking forward to learning new and interesting things.

Cholera Hits Lusaka

There is an outbreak of Cholera in some parts of Lusaka. This week cases of Cholera were reported in George Compound. Earlier in the week 16 people were sick because of Cholera.

They were getting treatment at George Compound Clinic. Some of them are better now and the number of those who are sick of cholera has reduced.
An officer from the Ministry of Health Doctor Canisius Banda said the government is doing something to make sure that Cholera does not spread to other parts of Lusaka and the country.

Dr. Banda said the Ministry is working with UNICEF to make sure that water in wells and the dirty surroundings are cleaned.
He said this will be done by putting a substance called Lime in the wells, pit latrines and around rubbish heaps.

Dr. Banda also advised parents and children to make sure that there homes are clean, that they boil all the drinking water, cover all the food, wash hands after using the toilet and eat warm food.

Cholera is a disease that makes one to vomit and have diarrhoea.
It is one of the most dangerous diseases in Zambia and Africa.

Bethel Orphans Receive Mosquito Nets

Over 60 orphans at Bethel Orphanage in Kafue Town were on Saturday January 6, presented with food and gifts.
This was part of New Year Parties that are being organized by a Cellular Phone Company called Celtel.

The Children at Bethel were so happy as they were presented with Mosquito nets and many other gifts like books and pencils.
The party was also attended by Kafue Member of Parliament, Bradford Machila.
Mr. Machila said there was need for orphans to be supported by sending them to school.
He said they too were part of the future of Zambia.
And Celtel officer and organizer of the New Year party Bridget Kambobe said the party in Kafue was just the beginning of many more new parties for this year.
She said Celtel will go out to 72 more places in the country to hold parties and give out gifts to children.
The children at Bethel were so happy and they said the gifts encouraged them to do even better at school.

David Beckam to Quit Real?

David Beckham has said he will leave Real Madrid to play for a United States of America football team called LA Galaxy.
According to BBC World's News Round, David Beckam, who is also former England Captain said he had decided to join LA Galaxy and he will be playing in the USA starting August this year.

Beckam said Real Madrid wanted him to play for them for another two years but after discussing it with his family he decided to move to the USA.

It is reported that he could be getting paid as much as 128 Million British Pounds. Now that is a lot of money!

David Beckam is one of the most famous football players in the world. He has played for Manchester United and Real Madrid of Spain. He was also captain of the England National Football team.

David thanked Real Madrid's fans for their support and said it had been a difficult decision to make.

Leaving School for Charcoal Burning

Children of school going age in Hamwiimbu Village, Magoy area in chief Hanjalika have stopped going to school because they want to do charcoal burning.
The children are said to have left school because they spend most of their time burning charcoal which they sell in Mazabuka town.
Hamwiimbu Basic School Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) chairman Richard Chimbuma talked about this sad story on Radio Chikuni.
Mr. Chimbuma said children aged between 11 and 14 years have stopped school because of they make lots of money from selling the charcoal in Mazabuka town. He added that the children take the charcoal Mazabuka by bicycle.

The PTA chairman has since asked parents from villages surrounding the school to encourage their children to go back to school so that they can have a bright future.

U.S. to help 8 more African countries fight malaria

The United States of America will help eight more African countries fight the disease of malaria, U.S. President George W. Bush has said.
The countries he's reaching out to are Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali and Zambia.
"Last year, about a million Africans died of malaria," Bush said. "The vast majority were children under five, their lives ended by nothing more than a mosquito bite."
The countries will benefit from a $1.2-billion programme Bush started in June 2005 to help countries with high cases of malaria fight the disease and reduce the deaths caused by Malaria to half.
It is reported that nearly a million African children die of malaria each year.
Bush, whose initiative already supports 15 countries, announced the new additions at a White House meeting on malaria.
The meeting was held to come up with ideas that will make people know about malaria and how to prevent it.
Some of the people that attended the meeting which was held in Washington, include African leaders, charity workers, big businessmen and Canadian MP Belinda Stronach. The host is Bush's wife, Laura Bush.
The president said the summit should send the world a message.
"By bringing together such a wide variety of people, the summit is sending a clear message that we are determined to defeat malaria." Bush Said.

The World Health Organization says 3,000 African children die each day from malaria.

Under - 20 Moves to South Africa

The Zambia Under 20 National Team has now moved to South Africa to prepare for next month's African Youth Championship. The Championship will be held in Congo Brazzaville.

The good news is that the team beat a South African football club by 2 goals to 0 during a friendly game.

The team they beat is called Moroka Swallows and the game was played at Jameston Grounds in Johannesburg.

The Under - 20 team has great players like Fwayo Tembo and Yorum Mwila Jr.

It is reported that the goals were scored by Simon Lupiya and Peter Malama. To score the first goal Simon was helped by Yorum Mwila Jr.

In an interview during a training session in Lusaka, the players promised nothing but the best during the Congo Brazzaville competition.

Zambia is in Group B, together with Cameroon, Nigeria and Egypt. The team will play their first game with Nigeria on January 21, 2007.

Children Worried About Garbage

It seems like flowers are not growing anymore in Lusaka's Garden Compound.

With the coming of the rains one expects to see beautiful flowers in a garden but for Garden Compound what you see are heaps of rubbish.

Big heaps of rubbish are found near places like markets, pit latrines, houses, and wells. This is not right because it can lead to people getting diseases like Cholera.

The other sad thing about this is that children play around the rubbish heaps even without shoes. The children of Garden Compound are worried about this and have asked the older people of Garden Compound to throw the rubbish in pits and garbage bins.

Some of the children blamed the older people for the heaps of rubbish in the compound.

"The problem with the older people here is that they are stubborn. When we tell them to stop throwing rubbish here they scream at us and tell us that we do not know anything," one of the boys of Garden compound said.

Another child advised people to stop throwing rubbish anyhow if diseases like Cholera are to be avoided. But the older people of Garden Compound said they did not know who threw the rubbish around the compound because they do it at night when no one is watching.

They asked the council and other people to help them remove the garbage.

BOMA hosts 500 kids for Xmas

Four days before Christmas, 500 children had the time of their life at Boma African Restaurant.

Coming from an organsation called Shanty Community Development Orphanage in Ngwerere Compound, in Lusaka, the children were given a big Christmas present.

The children had fun swimming playing games and at the end od the day they had a big lunch party.

One of the children present, Carol Bwalya expressed happiness for being invited to the party.

"I am happy to be here. We are having games and there is plenty of food," she said.

The director of Shanty Community Development orphanage explained that his orga
nisation keeps a total of 1000 orphans. These are children who have lost one or both parents.

He said the children are in need of support.

He thanked BOMA African Restuarant for supporting the children through the Christmas fun day and party.

And director of BOMA, Shermaine Byrne said the restaurant plans to have the Christmas party for children every year.

141,160 Grade 7s Pass to Grade 8g

One way of crossing a river is to walk over it on a bridge but the only way to get to grade 8 is to write Grade 7 exams and of course passing them with flying colours.
Well for all those that wrote Grade 7 examinations in Zambia, the time to cross over to Grade 8 has come because the results are out.
The minister of Education Prof. Geoffrey Lungwangwa announced this on Wednesday December 27, 2006.
He said that a total of two hundred ninety three thousand five hundred and eighty three (293,583) grade 7s wrote their exams this year.
Out of this number, One hundred forty-one thousand one hundred and sixty-one thousand (141,161) passed to grade 8.

The minister said the number of pupils who have passed this year has increased.

This is a good thing because it means more children have a chance to go to high school.

The minister however expressed sadness at the fact that many children were absent during the examinations.

These children who were absent did not write the grade 7 examination and so will not have a chance to be in high school.

The minister promised to do something about this problem so that more grade 7s write there exams in 2007.

Yoram Mwila Joins Under 20 National Team

Yoram Mwila, a member of the Under 17 Zambia national Football Team has finally joined the Under 20 national team.

Yoram who was called to join the Under 20 team two weeks ago was unable to do so because of an injury.

He joins the team which is preparing to go for the Africa Youth Champion to be held in Congo Brazzaville, next month.

The coach of the team, George Lwandamina said yesterday in an interview that Yoram joined the team after doctors checked the injury on his ankle.

“Our doctors have examined him and we now want to also check on him during the training,” he said.

Yoram Mwila and two other players from the Under 17 national team joined the Under 20 national team after showing excellent skills of

It’s Xmas Time – But Don’t Forget To Study!

It’s holiday time again. Schools have closed until January next year.
Exams are over and some of the kids in Zambia have now finished High school and wait to go to college or university.
Others have moved a step further into higher grades.
Come January next year, thousands of children will go to primary school for the first time as grade ones.
But before the schools closed and the kids went for holidays, there were lots of exciting activities that were held.
The different activities included Xmas parties, graduation and awards ceremonies.

Some children went home for holidays with awards, prizes and presents. All these things were given to them because they did well during end of term tests.
We spoke to some of the kids and they shared with us what plans they have for the holidays.

One of the girls we spoke to Bwalya Mungulube said during the holidays she will catch up with sleep and watch movies.
Others said they would play, go to visit relatives but above all they would not forget to study!

“We must play but we must not forget to study and catch up with our school work.”

Kasalu Village Gets Children’s Sports Hall

A news sports hall for children has been opened in Kasalu Village.
The sports hall was opened by Deputy Finance Minister and MP for Katuba - Mr. Jonas Shakafuswa – on Monday December 18, 2006.

The new facility was funded by the international NGO, Right to Play.
Right to Play works in Zambia to train and support local volunteer coaches to run sport and play programmes for poor children and youths.kk

Their events talk about healthy, child growth and messages about talent.

Kasalu Village is located in Chikumbi, 30km outside Lusaka area where Right to Play activities have already started.
Right to Play reports that its activities have led to a reduction in early pregnancies and bad behaviour amongst children.
Activities include football, netball and volleyball alongside traditional Zambian games and HIV/AIDS lessons.

Priscilla Nyendwa, aged 14 of Kasalu Village said, “The sports hall will make a big difference to us. I’m a member of the children’s drama group and now we have somewhere we can rehearse.”

Her friend, Masautso Phiri, also 14, added:
“Now we can also learn more about HIV/AIDS in a safe, private area and children will be able to participate more easily.”

You Educate A Woman, You Educate The Nation

The recently released United Nations Children Emergency Fund-UNCIEF-report for the state of world’s children 2007 indicts that a woman empowerment within a home is a direct way of empowering children.
This means that when you allow a woman to be free and equally do things like the man, then you have given children a chance to be educated and live well.

The report also encourages men, as leaders in homes, to work together with women in order to develop the country.

In the report, it is also said that women and girls don’t know enough about health needs.
It is reported that men are the ones who control when women should go to the clinic and which clinic they will go to.
It is said that men also choose which hospital a baby or child should be taken to hospital.

Presenting the report in Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday, 20th December, 2006, UNCIEF Representative, Lotta Sylwander says men still decided what things to buy in the house.

Sylwander said this kind of situation was not good for children, especially the girls.

Kids’ Go For VCT

Today there are medicines that people who are HIV positive can use so that they can be healthy and not get sick. These medicines are called Anti Reto-virals (ARVs).
But for one to be given ARVs, they have to know if they are HIV positive or in other words if they have the germ or virus that causes AIDS in their blood.
This is done by going for a blood test or Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT).
For some time now when we talk about VCT, we usually think about adults. Thanks to Gospel Outreach Fellowship ministries, even children can now go for VCT.
A VCT centre has now been opened right at the church. This will give children an opportunity to also know if they have the germ or virus that causes AIDS in their blood.
Some children have already started going for VCT at the newly opened centre.
One of them Yaome Nkhata said although she was scared at first, she decided to go for VCT so as to know whether she is HIV positive or not.
She added that more children should go for VCT because it is good to know your status so that so can know whether you have to start taking ARVs or not.

Mandona is Little Miss Zambia

Mandona Chinika has scooped first prize in the first ever Little Miss Zambia contest.
She has promised to do so many things like calling for equal chances for both boys and girls at home and School.
She will be doing this in line with the recently released United Nations report which says that girls are still not able to make decisions of their own.
“I want to work with young people. Just to help them, especially the orphans. I want to help them so that they can be better people in society,” she said in an interview with Z-Kids News@5.
On Thursday, December 21, 2006, Mandona was part of the people that officially launched the United Nations Children’s Report.
Mandona will help girls have the same chances as boys.
The Little Miss Zambia contest was held in Lusaka on Sunday December 17, 2006.

It’s Xmas Time – But Don’t Forget To Study!

It’s holiday time again. Schools have closed until January next year.
Exams are over and some of the kids in Zambia have now finished High school and wait to go to college or university.
Others have moved a step further into higher grades.
Come January next year, thousands of children will go to primary school for the first time as grade ones.
But before the schools closed and the kids went for holidays, there were lots of exciting activities that were held.
The different activities included Xmas parties, graduation and awards ceremonies.

Some children went home for holidays with awards, prizes and presents. All these things were given to them because they did well during end of term tests.
We spoke to some of the kids and they shared with us what plans they have for the holidays.

One of the girls we spoke to Bwalya Mungulube said during the holidays she will catch up with sleep and watch movies.
Others said they would play, go to visit relatives but above all they would not forget to study!

“We must play but we must not forget to study and catch up with our school work.”

Hospital For Disabled Children Opens

Many children are born with disabilities. This means they may have problems with body parts like legs or hands.
These problems are caused by different reasons.
For a long time now, there has been no hospital to help children with disabilities.
But now a hospital for disabled children has been opened in Lusaka.The Hospital will have 50 beds and three operating theatres.
The hospital was officially opened by Zambia's first lady Maureen Mwanawasa on tuesday december 12, 2006.

Vimbuza Boys Shines at Ngoma Awards

There was lots of excitement Friday December 8, 2006, at the 10th Ngoma awards ceremony.
Zambian artistes were awarded for performing well in the different things that they do.
Some of those that won Ngoma awards include musicians like K'Millian, Mampi, Marsha Moyo, General Ozzy and Green Labels band.
Stars from the Oscar award winning South African film Tsotsi were also present.
They too were given Ngoma awards.
But that was not the only exciting thing about the ceremony.
A young boy, all the way from a town called Chipata in the Eastern Province of Zambia, was the darling of the show.

He put up an exciting dance called Vimbuza.
His dance was so exciting that people joined him on stage and showered him with money.
The Boy, Timothy Ngoma was so excited and said he enjoyed dancing.
He was dancing with his father who is his dance teacher.
The Ngoma awards ceremony is held every year.
This year it was Ngoma award ceremony number 10.

Three Under 17 Players Join Under 20 Team

Three Zambia Under 17 players have joined the Under 20 team that will participate in the Africa Youth Championships in Congo Brazzaville next month.
The three are Yoram Mwila Jr., Chisamba Lungu and Hichani Himoonde.

One of the boys, Yoram Mwila Jr. who was the Under 17 team captain, was happy to join the Under 20 team.

He explained in an interview that he dreams of palying in a big team.

He said he would like to be a big star like Rolnadinio, Wayne Rooney and Drogba.

Kids Take Over TV and Radio

This Sunday, December 10, 2006, it will be the children’s turn to shine.
That’s right, children will be given an opportunity to read news and present programmes.
The day gives children an opportunity to show their talent and talk about things happening around them.
The theme for this year is Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS.
This means kids will be talking about the disease, AIDS, which has killed many people, especially in Africa.
Kids will share what they know about preventing the disease.
This will be a very exciting day for children.

Libraries for Street Kids

It’s big, has big shelves, and has lots and lots of books? What is it?
A library of course!
The Lubuto Library project has started building libraries for street kids in Zambia.
The libraries will be built in drop-in-centres.
These libraries will give an opportunity to street kids to read and learn new things.
Lubuto Library Project director Jane Meyers said reading is very important.
“The street kids will have a chance to be away from the streets and come to the library to learn how to read,” she said.
The Lubuto Libraries will be built like village houses and will have lots of books.
The books will be given by children from the United States of America.

Living With an HIV Positive Father

Her name is Lubano Sakala. She is only 10 years old.
Her father, Akim Sakala is HIV positive.
Many people are HIV positive.
This means they have the germ or virus that causes the disease called AIDS.
Many of us are scared to live or play with someone who is HIV positive.
But the truth is that people who are HIV positive are just like anyone of us.
Lubano told Z-Kids newss@5 that everything at home is okay.
She is able to play and even eat with her father.
She added that she too was scared at first. Now she is not scared because nothing has changed about her father.
Lubano said she was happy because her father is now teaching others on how to protect themselves from AIDS.

Baby Collins Reunites with His Parents

A nine month old baby, Collins Phiri has been re united with his parents.
Collins was taken away from his parents because they went to prison after committing an offence.
At first Collins' mother, Tina Phiri went with him to prison but the place was not okay for the baby.

Even the kind of food in the prison was not okay.
So some people from an organization called Jesus Cares Ministries took Collins and kept him in a nice and clean place until his parents came out of prison.

Jesus Cares Ministries looked after Collins until the 15th of November this year when the parents came out of prison. He was then given back or reunited with them.
His mother was so happy that she even cried tears of joy.
It was a happy day for Collins and his parents.

Collins' mother, Tina thanked Jesus Cares Ministeries for looking after Collins while she and her husband were in prison.

Zambian Children Celebrate World Aids Day

Today is a special day. It’s World Aids Day. There are very few times when the whole world comes together to do one thing. Today is such a day. Every year, the first day of December is special. It is the day when people from all over the world come together to fight HIV/AIDS.
Some children in Lusaka explained that although AIDS is a deadly disease it is possible to prevent it.
They also called upon other children and adults to take care and love all people that have the disease.
A number of activities including, walks, games and musical concerts have been planned for this day.

Child Labour Exposed

A businessman of Lusaka West has been accused of employing young boys to dig out and break stones for sale.
When doing this work, the children were not even wearing special clothes that could protect them.
The children said in an interview that they were made to work for only K80, 000. They said they had to do the work because they had to make money to buy food at home.

But making children under the age of 15 to dig out and break stones or doing any other job for big people is not allowed in Zambia.

For example, making children carry heavy things is not allowed in Zambia. So the Zambian government has come in to stop the children from doing the work.

All this was discovered when an officer from the Ministry of Labour, Chola Chabala visited the place where the children used to work.

Day of Play and Sport a Hit

Learning and playing are often done at separate times but what if you had to do them at the same time?
That is exactly what over 200 children from different schools did when they attended the Right To Play day of sports and learning.
The children learnt a lot about plants, animals and of course traditional games.
The other important thing they learnt was about hoe to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.
Right to Play coach Matthews Phiri said the day was meant to share games and knowledge with the children.
The activities were held at Munda Wanga zoo and gardens in Chilanga.

Bare Feet Festival Opens in Lusaka

Children gathered at Lusaka Playhouse for the Bare Feet Festiva on friday november 24,2006l.
Although it is called the Bare Feet festival it is not all about feet.
The festival is all about art, drama, music and dancing.
The performances are done by children who have lived in the streets before but are now in drop-in-centres and orphanages.
These children use music and drama to tell their friends to stop begging in the streets.
We spoke to one talented young boy by the name of Patrick Kazadi.
He used to live on the streets but is now at Chisomo centre.
He shared with children and he encouraged them to live the streets and go to drop in centres.
He said at drop in centres children are given food, a home and school. The Bare Feet Festival will show for the whole month of december in different townships in lusaka Zambia.

Kids Celebrate Xmas in November

We all know that Christmas is celebrated on December 25, each year.
But for Lumuno school pupils it was Christmas in November for them.
The kids held a Christmas party, were they sang Christmas songs and performed a Christmas play.
Z-Kids news@5 went there and spoke to a few of the children.
The children advised people not to misbehave during Christmas by drinking beer and fighting.
The kids said Christmas was a time to be happy and share presents with people in need.

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Lumuno School pupils in a Christmas play shown at the Lusaka Playhouse during the Christmas Party.

Kids Show off Science Projects

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This week, Zambia celebrated the National Science and Technology week.
During this time pupils from different schools in Lusaka showed off what they know about science.
One pupil, from Roma Girls High school, did something great.
Musiwa Wamulume who is only 13 years is able to make medicine, soap and lotion from the Aloe plant.
She explained as a lotion Aloe was good for removing rushes and pimples.
She noted that even people suffering from AIDS could take the Aloe drug and it could make them feel better.

KKanza Wins Karate Competition

The Italian school recently held a Karate competition.
The competition attracted a good number of young Karatekas from Lusaka. Kanza Kamwanga and Paulina Ngulube were the winners.
And unlike what many of us think, Karate is not all about fighting.
The young Karatekas explained that karate was all about self defence and keeping fit.
“I like Karate because it gives me self defence and defence of others and it gives me character,” said Kateta Nkonde.
Winner of the tournament, Kanza was happy to have won.
He said Karate teaches many things like respecting other people.
And Karate teacher, Moodlee Chola explained that the game was full of fun for the kids.
“We try as much as possible to bring in games so that the kids can enjoy,” he said.

Chawama Lions in Need of Playground

The young Lions, a football team of Chawama Township have called on government, and the Football Association of Zambia to help them find a new football ground.
Based in Chawama township, in Lusaka, the Young Lions play very well and have won many games.
However, they do not have their own football ground.
They need a good ground to play and train from.
Right now the ground they are using has stones in it, a hill and a rail line running through it.
Some of the players in the team like Andrew Makulu said they would be happy to have a new playground.
“If the stones are removed or a new ground is found for us, it would be of great help,” he said.
And coach of the team Jane Sii Sii added that football helped to keep the children away from bad things.

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The Children are Safe - Zambia Police

The Zambia Police Service has said that children are safe in times of violence.

Police spokesman, Chrispine Kapela said this in an interview with Z-Kids News@5 recently.

Kapela said this after cases of violence or fighting and throwing of stones were reported.

Some of the cases of violence happened during the tripartite elections in Zambia.

Kapela said the Police are still there to make sure that people do not break things or throw stones at innocent people.

Kapela also warned the children to stay away from violent activities.

He said children who involve themselves in violent activities will grow up to be bad adults.

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What i’s for Independence?

With the Independence Day celebrations just a few days away, many children are interested to know why this day is so special.

Some of them went out to the museum to learn more about Zambia’s independence.

Other children, at Baobab School, celebrated independence earlier with dances, poems and plays.

Now here are a few things that you need to know about Zambia’s independence.

Zambia got its independence on October 24, 1964, from the British Government.

This was after a struggle or a fight with the British.

The first president of Zambia was Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, shown below.

The second president was Dr. Frederick Chiluba.

The current president is Levy Mwanawasa.

Voting Day in Zambia

(Septmber 28, 2006)

Zambians today will decide whether to keep the current president or vote for a new one.

After many months of campaigning, it is now up to the people to decide who they want to lead them.

The elections are tripartite, meaning Zambian voters have to vote for a president, Members of Parliament and Councilors.

Those competing for the presidency are Levy Mwanawasa, Hakainde Hichilema, Ken Ngondo, Michael Sata and Godfrey Miyanda.

These candidates are from different political parties namely Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), United Democratic Alliance (UDA), All People’s Congress (APC), Patriotic Front (PF) and Heritage Party (HP).

Counting of the votes is expected to start tomorrow(september ,29 ,2006)

Star Search Winner Composes Song for Kids

(September 28, 2006)

Star Search winner, Theo, has composed a song for all Zambian children.

The song which has no title yet, encourages all children never to give up their dreams.

If you want to be an astronaut, a superstar or drive a fancy car. Go on and do it. It doesn’t matter who you are. Never give up,” Theo sings in his song.

Theo also encouraged children to go to school adding that education was the key to success.

Theo said this in an interview with Zed Kids News@5 reporter Lulu.

After three months of stiff competition, with musicians from other towns of Zambia, Theo was voted number one.

Star Search was a competition meant to discover new talented musicians.

Kapuka, a rapper and Viola, a singer were voted number two and number three, respectively.

All the top three winners of Star Search will each record one album at top studios in South Africa and America.

Nyamphande Dormitories Painted
(September 27 , 2006)

Nyamphande Orphanage and community school had a wonderful time this week when they had their rooms painted.

Nyamphande is an orphanage and community school in Chongwe rural. This is in the eaten part of Lusaka.

The school offers education to children who have lost one or both parents.

Thirteen year old Elizabeth Sakala who is in grade 5 at the school was happy about the new development.

“We are happy that our rooms have been painted,” she said.

Thomas Akar who was in charge of the painting exercise explained to the children the importance of education.

A Zambian Star is Born

(September 25 , 2006)

After weeks of stiff competition in the Star Search, a winner was finally picked on Sunday September 24, 2006.

Lusaka based musician Theo was the lucky number one. He won himself a car and a one album recording deal.

In second and third positions was Viola and Kapuka. The two also won themselves one album recording deals. This was coupled with cash prizes of 5 million Kwacha for Viola and 10 million Kwacha for Kapuka.

During auditions the competition had attracted thousands of people from across the country but at the end of the day only 120 were picked.

It was from these 120 that the people's favourites like Theo, Fines, Viola, Kapuka, Titus and Nomsa were picked as the final six.

Popular Zambian musician Jane Osbourne, Radio DJ Chishala Chitoshi and music producer TK were the judges.

Star Search was a popular TV show for many Zambian children. It encouraged those who wish to be musicians.

Zambia's Election Day Gets Closer

( September 25 , 2006)

With only three days remaining before the

Zambian Children Demand for Free Education

Thursday September 28, 2006 has been set as the day for voting in Zambia.

During the elections people will vote for a President, Members of Parliament and Councilors.

Zambian children have demanded for many things from whoever will become president.

Some of the things they demanded for were free education and creation of jobs.

“If our parents have jobs then they will have enough money to send us to school,” said Mike Kayombo.

Mike is a member of a children’s organization called Children’s Press Bureau.

The Bureau is based in Lusaka and also collects news for Zambian children.

Water Flows to Nyamphande Orphanage and Community School

Nyampande Orphanage and Community is set to have more water pumps.

This will be made possible because the Danish Embassy gave K100 million to the school.

Kids at the school were very happy to hear this.

They said it was a good thing because they will no longer walk long distances to fetch water.

A grade 6 pupil at the school, Reuben Banda, said the money given will help the school have enough water supply.

The money will also be used to build toilets for the boys and girls.

The school is located a long distance away from Lusaka City in a place called Chongwe.

Zambian Children Get a Chance to Learn

Many Zambian children now have a chance to learn.

This is being done anywhere where the children can come together with a teacher.

The good thing about it is that it can be done outside, in a shade or even under a tree. This learning is being done through the use of radios.

Children come together with a teacher and listen to a programme called Learning at Taonga Market.

Education Broadcasting Services are the people making the programme.

In Lusaka, in a township called Chawama, children also learn through this programme.

The schools are called Taonga Radio Schools and they are in all the provinces of Zambia.

The programme is good for children in grade one up to seven.

Subjects like Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science are taught.

Tripartite Elections, Zambia is set to elect leaders.

Since it is a Tripartite Election, it means the elections will be divided into three parts.

People will be voting for a President, Members of Parliament and Councilors.

Thursday, September 28, which has been declared a public holiday will be full of activity as voters cast their votes.

Z-Kids News@5 reporters will go out to write stories about what will happen on this day.

Five political parties are participating in these elections. These are:

The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), All People's Congress (APC), Heritage Party (HP), United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and Patriotic Front (PF).

Zambia's current president Levy Mwanawasa is from MMD, Michael Sata (PF), Ken Ngondo (APC), Godfrey Miyanda (HP) and Hakainde Hichilema (UDA).

Will Zambia have a new president after Thursday or will the current president, Mr. Mwanawasa continue?

This question will only be answered after the election results are announced.

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