The World Bank estimates that the economic crisis will increase poverty in 2009 by 46 million people.
Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank published reports on the rippling effects of the economic crisis throughout the developing world. To find these reports online go to: Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Sub-Saharan […]

In order to ensure that KnowledgeBeat is making the most effective impact in Itezhi Tezhi District, we recently surveyed seven schools in order to get a sense for the state of education in the area we serve. The data reveals a broken system. Yet amidst such a desperate situation we also found light – communities […]

Returning to the village is always something I enjoy. One left turn and the city of Lusaka fades away quickly, metal junkyards give way to shifting shades of green. Driving into the bush is like heading out to sea and I have to remind myself that the beautiful surroundings can turn dangerous in an […]

On my way to the Lusaka airport today, December 10th, a group of children run up to my car as we roll up to a red light. They are hungry and they are lifting their torn shirts to show me their distended little bellies. They make gestures bringing their hands to their mouths asking for […]

“Nicali booba, nicali cibotu.” Mrs. Mungenisa jumped to her feet and
sang these words again and again while she danced in her small family
room. In English, the words translate to, “If it was always like
this, it would be nice everywhere.” She was singing a traditional
prayer song used for celebrations and she had much […]

KnowledgeBeat sponsored a weekend fieldtrip for the Science Fair
winners from each group. We took 13 students and 2 teachers to
Lusaka. The primary objective was to extend environmental education
with a trip to Munda Wanga, a wildlife conservation park with an
extensive environmental education center. Even though they live in a
National Park, many of the […]

KnowledgeBeat’s first annual Environmental Science Fair took place on
November 11th. The day was a complete success with a broad range of
influential judges and visitors, a strong turnout from the Ngoma
community and most importantly an excellent showing of student
projects. This year’s theme for the Fair was ‘Unite to Protect the
Environment’. The teachers and students […]

Another part of the Girls’ Advancement Program is the KnowledgeBeat
Scholarship for secondary school. Applications are currently in the
review process and we will be announcing at least one scholarship next
week. This is a huge milestone for KnowledgeBeat as well as the Ngoma
School and Community. Yesterday I met with Mr. Hazemba, who manages
the DEBs […]

As part of the Girls’ Advancement Program, KnowledgeBeat runs a
Mentorship Project for 7th, 8th and 9th grade girls. Professional
women from local towns come to the school to talk about their work,
daily-life and how they’ve achieved their goals. The program
culminated last week with student-mentor visits.
All of the girls applied to visit various mentors and […]

A big part of KnowledgeBeat’s Environmental Education program includes
collaboration with other Zambian organizations that introduce new
projects and resources to our schools and communities. In October,
KnowledgBeat hosted Peace Corps volunteer, Joe Guglielmetti, who
currently manages the Environmental Education center at Wildlife
Conservation Park Munda Wanga. Joe led a fuel-efficient stove
building class for one of the weekly […]