Kantolomba Community Profile

Kantolomba village has a population of approximately 10,500 people. The community is located in the western part of Ndola, it is 10km from the city centre. Nb. Kantolomba is a settlement which is in the process of being legalised.

Kantolomba  has an extremely low socio economic status, with average incomes of less than $1US per day.  75% of the population are female and 75% of the population are unemployed. Income for the families is earned through various activities such as small scale farming.

There are three community based organisations carrying out similar programs of feeding and community schools as well as a skills training centre. A government school in the area operates classes from grades 1 -9. However, many of the poorer families cannot afford to send children to school.

The community also has a market and the water treatment plant for the whole town.  They have running water which is sold at 50 kwacha (1-2 cents) per 20 litre container.  There is also a community centre which hosts most of the community meetings.  Kantolomba also has a Literacy School which started in 2006 and most elderly community members are enrolled.

Kantolomba has no community health clinic so individuals have to travel to other communities of Lubuto and Twapia for treatment.  As a result there is a very high death rate.  However, Kantolomba does have two birth attendants who are trained by the Ministry of health.  The community also now has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS and malnutrition in the district.  The belief is held by those in the community that the high rate of HIV/AIDS is largely due to the sale of illicit local beer.  There is also a lack of proper nutritional food to both adults and children, increasing the health risks.