Page 37 - 80 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER IMPACT WITH FAO

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Melody Chali

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE

In the rural heartland of Namwala, in southern Zambia, UN Volunteer
“The future is bright for women if only they are motivated to Melody Chali challenged long-held traditions as she opened new paths
for women to lead. As a single mother with an unshakable belief in
do what they like. Indeed, equality can be attained through
gender equality, Melody knew one thing for certain: there can’t be
volunteering, knowledge and skills.” progress when women are held back.

From 2019 to 2023, she served as a Research Assistant with the SCALA
project (Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture
through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation
Plans), a joint initiative by UNDP and FAO supporting over twenty 33
countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Most days found her out in the fields, shoulder to shoulder with farmers,
training women, men and youth to build sustainable, climate-smart
livelihoods. Melody advocated for a minimum of 60 percent female
participation in all project activities. There was tangible impact: women
in 15 rural camps across the region are now making their own farm drip
lines and running agri-businesses, taking on roles once reserved for men.

“Volunteerism has taught me to be resilient and work for the change I
want to see,” Melody reflected. In the sun-drenched fields of Namwala,
that change is already taking root.

Melody Chali (left), UN Volunteer Research Assistant at
UNDP Zambia, during one of her field visits to meet farmers
of Namwala district, Zambia. [UNV, 2022]