The FinZamCH project has successfully completed its second 10-day intensive program in Zambia, hosted by Cavendish University. This program brought together four students from SAMK and eight students from CUZ, who finalized the mini projects they initiated during the first intensive program held in Finland last May.
Guided by the project teams from SAMK and CUZ, the students worked in groups to develop innovative solutions aimed at improving child health in Zambia. These included:
- Customized baby boxes designed to support Zambian children during their first six months of life.
- A mobile application prototype to assist mothers and nurses in enhancing maternal and child health.
- Nutrition information packages tailored for children of different age groups in Zambia.
The mobile application will operate in local languages, enabling mothers to communicate with healthcare professionals and access childcare-related information easily.
During the final seminar, Prof. Oscar, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Cavendish University, praised the initiative for blending theoretical learning with practical projects that address real-world challenges. He confirmed that CUZ’s School of Information Technology will support the transformation of the mobile app prototype into a fully functional application.
Aura Mwiinga, representing the Finnish Embassy in Zambia, emphasized that these innovations could significantly contribute to reducing child mortality if implemented effectively.
CUZ Executive Director Dr. Reany commended the participants, calling them “world champions” for tackling such a critical issue. He stressed the importance of stakeholder collaboration to ensure these products are adopted and used widely in Zambia.
Looking ahead, the project team will focus on strategies to implement these solutions within the Zambian population. Both CUZ and SAMK remain committed to ensuring that the outcomes of the two intensive programs are fully realized.
FinZamCH is a TFK-funded project implemented by SAMK and CUZ.
Text: Senior Lecturer Amos Mulu
Photos: Amos Mulu and Johanna Sandberg