Five schools in Kafue District receive a donation of Gifts-In-Kind school furniture

Through Gifts-In-Kind (GIK), World Vision Zambia, under the Chipapa Area Programme, has donated school furniture comprising single-seater desks, tables, and chairs to schools worth over 1.6 million Kwacha ($66,300 United States Dollars) to five schools in the Kafue district.

The donation aims to ensure that children in Zambia receive a quality education, which will enable them to acquire the skills they need to follow their dreams and support themselves and their families in the future. 

Speaking during the donation of the school furniture, Kafue District Commissioner, Mr Morris Hikapalwe, said the donation came at the right time because most schools in the district have been facing challenges with sitting facilities.

He said the gesture is in line with the president’s desire to ensure that by the end of 2024, all children in schools will not sit on the floor.

‘World Vision has a passion for the Zambian child, and this gesture resonates well with the president’s vision,’ he said. This move has excited the district as it will reduce the desk shortage in some schools, enabling children to learn comfortably.'

Mr. Hikapalwe urged other organisations to come on board and supplement the government’s efforts to improve and provide quality education for all children in the country.

At the same event, World Vision Zambia Chipapa Area Programme Manager Ms. Barbara Sampa said the donation of the  214 desks, 269 chairs and 13 office tables to be distributed to five schools in Chipapa Area programme would contribute to the wellbeing of children and will provide a conducive learning environment for the learners.

Ms. Sampa added that World Vision has been working closely and collaboratively with the Ministry of Education to build teachers' capacity in literacy skills.

“We have also been working to build the capacity of local education leaders to provide quality education, monitoring, and support using the measuring evidence of quality achieved tool,” she said.

She said World Vision has also trained parents and caregivers on how to support their children’s literacy development.

Mapalo, a pupil, expressed gratitude to World Vision for the donation of the school furniture. A lack of furniture in classrooms affected learners' education, resulting in most children sitting on the floor while learning.

“We are grateful that the government and partners like World Vision have not ignored our needs,” he said. I am sure we will now write and concentrate better during lessons.”

He urged his fellow learners to take care of the tables and chairs so that the upcoming learners would have an opportunity to use them.

“The acquired school furniture, including desks, chairs, and bookshelves, will substantially impact the school's infrastructure and the daily lives of the learners,” Mapalo said.

GIK is a program that helps to create opportunities for a better future for vulnerable children with the help of donors and partners

This donation highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring that every child in Zambia receives a quality education, setting them on a path toward a brighter future.