SAMMAKKO Engages in Development Cooperation in Zambia

SAMK’s student union SAMMAKKO has entered into development cooperation with TUO, student union of Turku University of Applied Sciences. The development project is called Green Village (Vihreä kylä) and it was originally started in 2008.  The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has now extended its funding for this project for three more years (2011-2013).

Green Village is a cooperation project with Green Living Movement (GLM), an non-governmental  organisation (NGO) functioning in Zambia.  The project aims at supporting the living in some Zambian rural villages, contributing to sustainable farming and using of natural resources as well as encouraging local people in improving their living conditions. Through this project, students can also get trainee placements in both Zambia and Finland.

The development project can be observed in various ways at SAMK. Photo exhibition by Terhi Hytönen is on display in Pori 2.3.-15.3. and in Rauma 16.3.-31.3. The kick-off event will be held in Pori on March 2 starting at noon, with presentations of the project and photo exhibition and latest news from the Zambian villages.  Fresh fair-trade coffee and drum music spice the event.  Green Village clubs are part of raising funds for the project. During 2011, several club evenings will be arranged in Pori, Rauma and Huittinen.  The entrance fees will be directed straight to the project account. The traditional SAMMAKKO anniversary will host an auction and at the end of the year a Green Village gala evening will be arranged.  

“Unless you enter the den, you can not get the cubs. Go into the community, live humbly with the people, plan with them, start with what they know and build on what they have.” Guiding principle of GLM by Dr James Yen