Education Zambia Project #63762

Survival package for retrenched workers of Tiko

by Tikondane Community Centre

Project Report | Jul 25, 2025
Report No. 4 - Final Report

By Elke Kroeger-Radcliffe | Voluntary Director

One of the retrenched crew members

We are pleased to announce that eleven retrenched members have happily accepted the survival package, save one due to finding employment.

They have vegetable rings and a balanced diet. They cook their meals on mud stoves, using small firewood as renewable energy. They no longer suffer from eye and chest infections thanks to their outdoor kitchens. They have pigeons as a “piggy bank” because these animals multiply overtime without needing to be fed and can be sold in case of emergency.

Some of them had difficulty in making the organic fertiliser and asked for more training and we believe that they will continue to grow their own balanced diet, having improved health and being closer to self-sustainability. This achievement will empower them to sustain themselves. We commend their dedication and resilience throughout this process and look forward to seeing their continued success.

Despite the challenges people face here, currently twenty-two new groups nearby as well as from far away villages, more than half of them with young people, have requested a demonstration setup of the Survival Package.

The project has faced added stress due to reduced funding and increased interest from the crew in starting or continuing the Tiko Survival Training. Therefore Tiko will need to close down the current project, having overspent its budget by approximately €500.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable support. The retrenchment process, coupled with the Tiko Survival Package, has proven to be a manageable transition.

More veggie rings

Compost

pigeon crawl

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Mar 28, 2025
Report No. 3 - on the way to success

By Elke Kroeger-Radcliffe | Voluntary Director

pigeons are one part of the survial package

The Survival Package project continues to progress well, despite some interruptions as beneficiaries have needed to attend to their fields due to recent good rains. Many have been busy with manual weeding, but overall, the initiative remains on track.

Project Progress and Impact
Initially, the project included 22 retrenched workers, but over time, 11 of those classified as ‘working when needed’ have reintegrated into the Tiko workforce. This leaves 11 families in the truly retrenched category. So far, we have spent approximately a quarter of the total estimated budget, which aligns with the generous donations received to date.

Eight out of the eleven retrenched families now have vegetable rings, providing them with a sustainable food source. The remaining three have acquired one or two key ingredients necessary for producing Tiko Organic Fertiliser (TOF), specifically HOT 18-day Berkeley compost and HUMUS from worms. Encouragingly, many participants have already used TOF in their maize fields and are reporting positive results.

Additionally, all eleven families have clay stoves and outdoor kitchens, ensuring their mud stoves are protected from the rain. Four families have started raising pigeons, and one has begun breeding rabbits. Interest in these small livestock options is growing, with more families eager to adopt them.

Next Steps and Challenges
The next phase of the project involves constructing proper kraals for pigeons and more costly rabbit warrens for all families. A significant challenge is the impending dry season, during which vegetable gardens will be vulnerable to predators, particularly chickens. While most village farmers rely on bamboo fencing, those living closer to Tiko may require metal fencing, which is as expensive as all the other individual project components combined.

Community Engagement and Sustainability
Providing this survival package has eased the retrenchment process by ensuring that affected workers are not left without support. The success of the vegetable rings has been so inspiring that even active Tiko crew members are adopting the same practices. To date, Tiko has held seven seminars, with enthusiastic participation. Many attendees have shown an immediate willingness to implement these sustainable farming techniques.

In the long run, we aim to have all participants producing surplus TOF for sale at Tikondane creating a self-sustaining cycle that benefits both individual households and the broader community.

Call for Continued Support
The success of this initiative would not be possible without the generosity of our donors. We humbly ask for your continued support to ensure the sustainability of these households and our collective efforts. Your contributions are making a tangible difference, and we are deeply grateful for your ongoing commitment to this cause.

Thank you for standing with us.

rabbits are another part of the survial package

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Nov 28, 2024
Report No. 2 - positive news

By Elke Kroeger-Radcliffe | Voluntary Director

Vegetable rings became more and more common

Retrenching workers is one of the most challenging tasks, especially when it involves subsistence farmers who rely on minimal cash allowances and support for food security, hunger relief, shelter, medical and funeral assistance, and education. The lack of government support services exacerbates the situation, making it even more difficult. The recent loss of two harvests has further compounded the hardships faced by these workers.

Retrenchment and Piece Workers

We had to retrench eleven members, providing them with an allowance for three months post-retrenchment. Additionally, we categorized eleven individuals as piece workers, who would be called in when there was work available. Despite the difficult circumstances, the remaining 45 crew members, who continued to receive Tiko's hunger help of a bag of maize per month, generously shared their maize with those less fortunate. This act of solidarity highlights the remarkable community spirit among the Tiko workers.

Distribution and Support

The needs and aspirations of both retrenched workers and piece workers are similar. Over three-quarters of both groups have established vegetable gardens and worm farms in their yards. Almost all of them require assistance with various components of the Survival Package that they do not yet possess. Currently, Tiko maintenance is focused on providing kitchens or at least roofs for kitchens. These kitchens, equipped with clay stoves that use small pieces of firewood, save significant cooking costs and treat firewood as a renewable resource. However, the clay stoves need protection from rain, and outdoor kitchens pose health risks due to smoke exposure.

Project Success and Future Needs

The project has been a resounding success so far. The donations received have covered the expenses incurred to date. However, more expensive components, such as the rabbit warren, are taking longer to complete and are more costly, as rabbits can escape from anything but solid concrete enclosures. We deeply appreciate the support received and urgently request further assistance to complete the Survival Package for all Tiko family members, whether retrenched or working as piece workers. The community's faith and resilience are encapsulated in their saying, "GOD IS GREAT," and we echo their gratitude with a heartfelt "zikomo."

Conclusion

The Survival Package for Retrenched Workers of Tiko has made significant strides in supporting the community through challenging times. Continued support from donors worldwide is crucial to ensure the completion and sustainability of this vital project. Your contributions make a tangible difference in the lives of these resilient individuals, and we implore you to help us further in this noble endeavor.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Labelled vegetable rings fulli planted

Vermi liquid production as bio fertiliser

The worms' liquid is gathered below the buckets

Clay stoves without any roof are 'doomed' in rain

Tiko helps with building roofs as outdoor kitchen

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