First love is never forgotten. This is what happened to Mariangela Tarasco. Civilian service volunteering with CELIM in Zambia was a first step in the world of development cooperation. After different experiences in the private sector and in non-governmental organisations, she returned to CELIM, where she is now the new country representative in Lusaka. We had a chat with her to take stock of our NGO’s commitment in Zambia. In recent days, the ‘Second Chance’ project came to an end. What balance can be drawn for this intervention? Overall, it went very well. It was a very important project because in Zambia few NGOs deal with prisons and, above all, because the concept of rehabilitation and reintegration into society is not yet very widespread. Spurred by Gianclaudio Bizzotto, who preceded me as Country representative, CELIM played an important cultural role, as it destroyed the idea of prisoners as ‘rejects of society’ to build a path that would allow prisoners to become ‘resources for society’. There was strong commitment to breaking down the social stigma surrounding the world of prisons. Our organization played a practical role in promoting vocational training for prisoners who were serving sentences and in guiding them, once released from prison, so that they could find a job. In the meantime, the ‘Street Children’ project was launched, which is theoretically linked to the project for prisoners… The focus is no longer on prisoners, but on vulnerable minors and, among them, also those who have experienced young offenders’ institutions. As part of this project, we work on rescuing young people, helping them to re-establish a relationship with their families. Above all, we take them away from the street where they are exposed to petty crime and the use of drugs. Hello Gianclaudio and thank you After a collaboration of more than twenty years, Gianclaudio Bizzotto has left CELIM. His valuable contribution helped our NGO grow in Zambia. In thanking him, CELIM’s staff offers him the warmest wishes for his new experiences. In Mongu, the project ‘Low Impact Agriculture’ is ongoing, what is it about? The project aims to promote sustainable agriculture. First of all, by offering farmers alternative sources of income and foods that enrich their diet (horticulture, drying of fruits and vegetables, cultivation of moringa). And secondly, by safeguarding the environment. By promoting the production of pellets using waste material for example we fight deforestation. This reduces the use of wood and charcoal and safeguards the delicate natural balance of large areas of Zambia. On 1st February, a new project called ‘Edu-Care’ was launched, which aims to protect children with disabilities in Zambia. Here too, in addition to fieldwork aimed at eliminating architectural barriers, we will be working to break down the social stigma that characterises this issue. We will work to train teachers on inclusion. We will help children grow through school and find job opportunities so that they can find their place in society. I also like to mention that this project is a collaboration of three Italian non-governmental organizations: CELIM, Associazione Papa Giovanni XXIII and Africa Call.