Building on our commitment to business growth as a route to development, we aim to put this idea into practice by mobilising capital to invest in social enterprise (also with a view to attracting impact investment). 

 

“Katonte” is a village in north central Zambia close to the border with the DRC (between the towns of Ndola and Kapiri Mposhi). In the local language the word means a homely gathering. (See “Why Katonte”.) Katonte Healthcare Programme was set up in 2014 by Theresa Foot, Simon’s late wife, and it established accommodation allowing posting of staff to the government health clinic in Katonte village, which as a result could begin operating.

 

The long-term aim at the time was to expand assistance to this quite remote community by developing social enterprise through an innovative aquaculture system outlined in a business plan , with the use of by-products fertilising market gardening and providing stored water for cattle for the expansion of local livelihoods. This plan was put on hold after Simon’s wife passed away. Similarly, Bev Jones through Port Meadow Consulting used her networks in Rwanda to support an Ethiopian Tigrayan organisation run by woman to start helpfull active listening circles for women who had been targets of systemic and militarised sexual violence. 

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Katonte Development Perspectives, should it become profitable, aims to make its own investments in this kind of venture. It need not be in Katonte, nor indeed in Zambia – though this country currently provides quite a peaceful and growth-oriented environment. It could be anywhere that we identify through our work on the ground.