
Zain Zambia has donated 200 bunk beds,mattresses,blankets and pillows to Lukalanya High School in Mongu, and in addition is providing glazed windows and refurbishment of the schools water bore-hole.
Donating the materials, Zain Zambia Managing Director David Holiday said the items valued at nearly K100 million were donated as part of the company’s Build Our Nation initiative.
He said the initiative was started in 2005 to improve education standards in Zambia.
“Today, I can humbly state that through the Build Our Nation initiative we have been to all the 72 districts in Zambia and helped uplift education standards in 126 schools. In this endeavor we have spent over K6 billion and am pleased to inform you that this is an on going programme as we are now in the second phase, going back into the districts we have already been”, Holiday went on to say “We at Zain are proud to be making a very real difference to this school in Mongu. We at Zain want to see these children have a positive impression of schooling from the outset and this means a more conducive and safe environment.What we are providing are proper comfortable beds and bedding, window glazing to keep out the elements and a reliable water supply.These are things which any parent and teacher wants as not a privilege, but a right for children – this is something we at Zain work tirelessly at and have done so now for a number of years.We will continue investing and playing our part in this for many years to come. This is a program that is close to our hearts in Zain” Mr. Holiday said.
And Mr. Holiday has revealed that his company has set aside over three-quarters of a billion (K750,000,000) to benefit 10 schools in Zambia. He said the money will be used for infrastructure renovation, purchase of literacy materials, desks and other materials to needy schools.
He stated that the commitment underscores Zain’s dedication to supporting education in Zambia…
Meanwhile Mr. Holiday has called for the empowerment of youths through education adding that there are many challenges being faced by youths in communities.
“We have noted that there are many issues affecting today’s youth that can potentially lead them into various vices or ill-advised activities. At Zain we believe that there is need to redirect attention and focus on youth empowerment through education”, said Mr. Holiday.
He commended the Zambian government for providing free basic education to all children which is responsive to girls, rural children, children with special educational needs, orphans, and other vulnerable groups.He added that the challenge is retaining enrolled pupils in school to complete their courses.