MC-Zambia has provided educational programs and services for the Chanyanya community of the Kafue District of Zambia for the last ten years.
Making strides towards its mission to achieve greater levels of education, MC-Zambia started this year with efforts and activities addressing some of the community’s most essential and pressing needs in education and its accessibility.
On February 23, at the MC-Zambia Community Center in Chanyanya, 80 children who completed MC-Zambia’s Literacy and Numeracy classes were integrated into two formal government schools in the fishing village of Chanyanya.
On this occasion, the MC-Zambia team gave away school uniforms, bags, shoes, and other school supplies such as books and pencils. While simultaneously instilling a sense of discipline, pride, and belonging to these kids, for whom education would otherwise be more challenging due to socio-economic obstacles typically faced in fishing villages.
The event brought together students, parents, teachers, and other school officials, whose collective presence underscored the importance of embracing everyone in the community and fostering a positive school culture.
This ceremony served as a celebration of a significant milestone.
“MC-Zambia Literacy and Numeracy classes teach basic reading and writing skills and promote critical thinking, comprehension, and communication abilities. They empower young people to engage with various forms of literature, understand complex ideas, and contribute meaningfully to their communities,.” says Ndita Mulimbeni, Program Officer, MC-Zambia.
She highlights that they [the MC-Zambia team] remain hopeful that this literacy education will provide the tools necessary for lifelong learning and allow students to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Further, on March 22, MC-Zambia hosted another activity that falls into the education component, where its team distributed computers to primary schools.
Specifically, MC-Zambia handed over 35 desktop computers, five education tablets, and 171 computers to seven schools in Kafue, also a fishing community with high dropout rates and similar hardships.
Pupils, parents, teachers, school administrators, and people of Kafue who witnessed this activity encouraged community spirit and unity towards attaining high levels of education for those in need.
In her opening remarks, Muule Moonga, the new MC-Zambia Country Manager, highlighted the importance of such events.
“Schools need to utilize computer and technology resources, advance sustainability plans, and appeal to learners to work hard in academic journeys. Education is the best equalizer and weapon to change the livelihoods, especially with the free education the government offers.”
This event marks significant progress in supplementing government efforts to promote computer literacy in schools. It helps to address computer equipment shortages and lack of computer studies books in these schools and enhance the effective delivery of quality and affordable education.
In addition to donating these computers, MC-Zambia will train 20 teachers in computer studies, leadership, and facilitation skills to form computer clubs in all target schools to help create a free and better atmosphere for learners. This will allow young people to familiarize themselves with ICT subjects and utilize them for their needs.
MC-Zambia team remains committed to promoting literacy in schools, ensuring that young people enjoy a positive environment with the tools and support they need in their education journeys.
