We Succeeded in the UNDP Challenge Fund Again

We have incredible news that we just have to share with you! After months of preparation and anxious waiting since submitting our application last year, we received official confirmation: our project has once again been selected for support from the prestigious UNDP Challenge Fund.

Today, we completed our introductory briefing call with the UNDP home office in Istanbul. We were welcomed by Kateřina Linhartová, who represents the projects supported by this fund. Together, we reviewed the detailed timeline and implementation plan for the upcoming year. We are absolutely thrilled that our vision for sustainable development in Zambia has gained such a strong partner.

Why Kashitu? Addressing the Real Needs of Local People

Our project focuses on the rural area of Kashitu. The people here depend entirely on agriculture for their livelihoods, growing fruits, vegetables, and grains on their own or community fields. However, they currently face two critical barriers:

• High Cost: The only fertilizers available on the market are industrial chemical ones, which are financially out of reach for many families.

• Soil Degradation: Long-term use of chemicals threatens soil quality, which is quite literally the foundation of survival for the locals.

A Revolution in the Form of Composting Toilets

Our solution is the implementation of urine-diverting composting toilets on the local school campus and its immediate surroundings. This is not just about sanitation; it is about creating a closed-loop nutrient cycle. We will be producing two types of organic fertilizer:

• Safety First: Many people have concerns about organic fertilizer made from human waste, but our technology guarantees nearly 99% elimination of harmful pathogens, including E. coli bacteria.
• Solid Fertilizer (Compost): Rich in organic matter, which improves soil structure and its water-retention capacity.

• Liquid Fertilizer: A highly effective source of nitrogen and minerals for immediate plant nutrition

How are the bacteria destroyed?

The key lies in the process of thermophilic composting and safe storage. Inside the compost, natural biological heating occurs, reaching temperatures exceeding 55–60°C. This temperature, combined with specific pH levels and time (a maturation period of at least 6–12 months), reliably destroys pathogens, viruses, and parasite eggs. The result is a safe, sanitized material that smells like forest soil.

Together with the Community

We do not believe in projects "about them, without them." In Kashitu, we are currently preparing all plans and concepts directly with local leaders and families. We are conducting technology acceptance surveys to ensure that the toilets will be used correctly and that the community truly adopts them as their own.

Weeks of intense meetings and planning lie ahead, but we are heading toward a clear goal: to be 100% ready for the launch of field implementation in June.

Thank you to the UNDP for their trust, and to all of you for following us on this journey. This is going to be a big year for Kashitu!