Fibwanse Women's Center

The word "Fibwanse" is translated to "A place where women gather" in the tribal language of Bemba.

Fibwanse Women's Center was founded in 1989 from a group of Muchinshi women all from different tribes and backgrounds. The Spanish Catholic Church had donated a building with electricity, next to a Rural Health Center in the previous year. The women took the opportunity to utilize these donated resources and formed an official club. They met at the new center, and developed project ideas around community development. There are currently 120 members and an organized executive committee and frequent meetings. Fibwanse works on a majority vote system in place, and continue to make new decisions to improve their club and the society around them by maximizing and saving profits from their projects.

Currently Fibwanse's projects are as follows:

Fibwanse Preschool

The Fibwanse women have opened a preschool in the building, for young, local children can come four to five days a week to socialize and begin to learn basic english, alphabet, arts and crafts, etc. The preschool children are between the ages of two and six years old and the preschool is taught by a dedicated teacher who recieves a very modest salary. This is the only preschool in the area.

Fibwanse Bakery

Fibwanse first started baking bread in handmade brick ovens. Soon after, they were donated an industrial sized electric oven and opened their official bakery. The women take turns baking each day and sell their breads and scones in the local markets.