Okodwela Home Project

We build homes, create employment, and provide support for families in the surrounding rural areas of Livingstone, Zambia.

Upon completion of a family assessment, homes are built by pairing Okodwela resources with local labor and materials. Each home is built on it’s own plot of land, will have two rooms, and will be equipped with a toilet, individual water purifier bottles per family member, mattresses, pillows, and a title/deed for lifetime ownership. A two-room home will give each family the option to live in one room, while renting out the second to help generate a sustainable income.

Okodwela works with a local builder and his team to design and oversee construction. We provide resources to purchase local materials and hire workers to complete construction. Okodwela also conducts individual family need assessments to meet basic medical, educational, and household needs.

Our Progress

Okodwela Home Project

12

Homes Built

Okodwela has constructed 12 new homes since February 2019.

51

People Housed

Okodwela has provided secure housing for 44 people in the surrounding rural areas of Livingstone, Zambia.

26

Construction Workers Hired

Okodwela has hired 26 construction workers to assist in the building of homes in the Linda Compound, and the Meloni, Mulala, and Kabila Villages.

4

Communities

Okodwela has impacted 4 different communities in the surrounding rural areas of Livingstone, Zambia. We have homes in the Linda Compound and the Meloni, Mulala, and Kabila Villages.

Okodwela Welcomes You to Zambia!

Part 1 Okodwela Fills Happy Homes!

Part 3 Okodwela Changes Lives, Brick by Brick!

Part 5 Okodwela Supports Local Zambian Community!

Part 2 Okodwela Provides Support to

Enhance Education!

Part 4 Okodwela Creates Business Opportunities!

Part 6

Zambian Team

ANDREW MUTEMA

Builder – Construction Manager

Andrew is a local contract builder from the Mulala Village in Livingstone, Zambia. For the last 14 years, Andrew has specialized in a variety of construction skills that include building homes, roofing, plastering, ceiling, painting, skimming, and building a water tower to serve up to 15 families at a time. Andrew and his team will oversee the design and construction for the Okodwela Home Project.

CATHERINE CHILAMBE

Okodwela Zambia Chairperson

An international charity partner, well-known local philanthropist, and principal, Catherine has dedicated her life to serving the families of Livingstone, Zambia. Catherine will serve as the first point of contact within the community to complete family assessments, due to both her extensive knowledge of Livingstone’s vulnerabilities and experience with partner charities.

AMANDA FRANKEL

Project Manager

Amanda has worked with domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking survivors for the last 10 years, holds a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, and has traveled to 20+ countries. Amanda has always had an interest in providing assistance to enhance human welfare and most recently discovered additional happiness in taking it to a global level. She is committed to working with local community members, partners of the project, and those who support Okodwela’s mission to provide the components of a happy home! As Project Manager she will oversee the family selection process, ensure completion of each home, and manage various projects to support the mission.

Okodwela Homes

HOME 1 | COMPLETED

Irene, John, Celia, and Harrison

Meloni Village, Livingstone, Zambia

December 9, 2018

After learning that 7-year-old daughter Celia had a heart condition, Irene had to stop working to stay home and care for Celia and her one year old son, Harrison. This caused financial strain and resulted in Irene’s 9-year-old son, John, missing school to provide for his family. By supporting the construction of a two-room home in the Meloni Village, Irene now has the opportunity to generate income by renting one room to another family. This lets Irene care for her own children and allows John to attend school again.

HOME 2 | COMPLETED

Beauty, Patrick, Cecilia, Titus, and Victoria

Mulala Village, Livingstone, Zambia

December 20, 2018

Beauty, Patrick and their children, Cecilia, age 7, Titus, age 5, and Victoria 14 months, lived in a home in the Meloni Village that was built using mud and tree branches. The house was caving in due to rain and was in danger of collapsing. It also sat along a river which was home to dangerous animals such as hippos and crocodiles. Beauty, who suffers from a medical illness, and Titus who suffers from a hernia, spend a significant amount of time at the local clinic. Supporting the construction of a two-room brick home in the Mulala Village has given them a new sense of security with more time to attend to their health concerns.

HOME 3 | COMPLETED

Linda Community School

Linda Compound, Livingstone, Zambia

August 12, 2019

The Linda Community School, located in the Linda Compound in Livingstone, Zambia served 460 orphaned and vulnerable children. The new home on the school grounds will house a family in need of shelter, as well as serve as a home for the security guard for the school. In doing so, this will allow the family member to be able to financially provide for the family and also provides 24/7 security for the school. This connection to the future family who fills this home will create a unique kind of Happy that serves a growing families needs while enhancing the school community.

HOME 4 | COMPLETED

Febby, Emanuel, Peason, Godfrey, and Davis

Kabila Village, Livingstone, Zambia

August 19, 2019

Febby is the primary parent for both her children, Davis and Godfrey, ages 12 and 27, as well as her nephews, Emanuel and Peason, ages 11 and 12. Their current home in the Kablia village is built from iron sheets and blankets secured by large rocks. The risk of this home collapsing at any minute is extremely high. Febby has been caring for her nephew for the last 7 years and travels to Zimbabwe daily to sell good, as this is her only source of income. Only Emanuel is able to attend the local school due to lack of space in the classrooms. Supporting the construction of a two-room home will provide the family with additional security and protection from the elements.

HOME 5 | COMPLETED

Janet, Namata, Oliver, Susan, Ninus, and Joshua

Meloni Village, Livingstone, Zambia

January 13, 2020

Janet, along with her three children, and two grandchildren, lived in a 1 room home in the Meloni Village. In 2011, Janet's first husband passed away and just three years later, her second husband was murdered while on duty as a security guard. Janet has been a single mother to all the children in the home since. In providing a new, secure 2-room home for the growing family, Janet can focus on building her business, the children can focus on their education, and together they can have adequate space to continuing thriving in their community.

HOME 6 | COMPLETED

Vicknes, Joseph, and Favor

Mulala Village, Livingstone, Zambia

January 29, 2020

Vicknes and her twin boys, Joseph and Favor, who are both in Grade 4 at the Linda Community School, lived in a home in the Mulala village built from mud and sticks. The back wall of the home was in poor condition, to the point of near collapsing. Mother Vicknes suffers from a medical illness that forces her to be at the hospital on a weekly basis, leaving the children in an unsecured home. With the construction of a new home, the boys and Vicknes can now feel safe and secure while continuing to enhance their education and focus on their health.

HOME 7 | COMPLETED

Ettambuya, Slyvester, Ettambuya, and Mwaka

Kabila Village, Livingstone, Zambia

March 13, 2020

Great Aunt Ettambuya moved to Livingstone, Zambia from the Western Province after the parent's to 11-year-old, Ettamybuya, and sister, Mwaka, age 2, tragically passed away in a canoe accident. She also took in dependent, Slyvester, age 7, and together, the family lived in a one room mud-style house in the Meloni Village. Without giving it a second thought, Ettambuya quickly uprooted her life in western Zambia and without knowing anyone in Livingstone, she began to provide the best life she could for the children. With the construction of a new, secure home in the Kabila Village, Ettambuya can continue to focus on providing for her new immediate family through employment opportunities, while worrying less about stable housing. With ownership of the new home in the children's names, they will never have to worry about their future living arrangements and can focus on their education.

HOME 8 | COMPLETED

Fridah, Vanessa, Jonathan, Fridah, and Brian

Kabila Village, Livingstone, Zambia

June 2, 2020

Fridah, a single mother to Vanessa, 24yo, Jonathan, 18yo, and twins Fridah and Brian, 3 yo, lived in a one-room home built from mud and sticks in the Meloni Village. Fridah is a highly active member in the community, volunteering her time at the local clinic assisting with HIV testing and also serving on the Parent School Committee at the Linda Community School. Fridah helps with the feeding program for over 500 students at the school. Having adequate space for Fridah and her family will allow them to come home each day after all their hard work in the community to a safe, comfortable space. With ownership of the new home in the children's names, they will never have to worry about their future living arrangements and can focus on their education.

HOME 9 | COMPLETED

Eugene and Edward

Kabila Village, Livingstone, Zambia

July 25, 2020

Eugene, a single father to 13 year old, son Edward, are from the Meloni village in Livingstone, Zambia. After the passing of Edward's mother in 2010, Eugene has raised his son Edward along with the support of the community. Eugene is a carpenter and welder by profession and often teaches Edward skills when he is not studying. Their home in the Meloni village was built of mud and sticks and was at risk of collapsing. Now, with this new secure home and ownership in Edward's name, the father and son will never have to worry about their living arrangements and can focus on their happiness.

HOME 10 | COMPLETED

Venia, Cynthia, and Mike

Kabila Village, Livingstone, Zambia

October 24, 2020

Moving from the Southern Province of Zambia to the Western Province with little support, Venia has been raising her 2 children, Mike 15yo and Cynthia 11yo, alone since they were born. She found herself back in Livingstone looking for work to provide for her family, although with no place to live. She continued finding small work around town to support her family. Providing safety and shelter for her family was always a priority. Okodwela is honored to welcome such a strong, resilient, and motivated mother into our family.

HOME 11 | COMPLETED

Veronica, Peter, Chiza, Gertude, Mirrian, Melody, and Sikula

Kabila Village, Livingstone, Zambia

July 9, 2021

Veronica, a single mother to 5 children ages 3 to 22 and a 2 year old grandson, has been the head of the household since her late husband passed over 10 years ago. She works as a vendor selling local vegetables in the market in the village to earn money. Her and her family lived in an unsecure home in which the roofing was leaking and would often fill with water. This caused them to move numerous looking for secure housing but was unsuccessful. Now, with this new secure home and ownership in Gertrude's name, the family can focus on building for their future while resting their heads in a space place at night.