CFAO Mobility Zambia and Paratus,in partnership with World Vision Zambia, have handed over key educational infrastructure to the Ministry of Education at Mphande Primary School in Chipapa Community, valued at approximately K4 million.
The infrastructure, which includes two 1×3 classroom blocks, one refurbished classroom block, two teachers’ houses, an ablution facility, 25 computers and a 1-year paid-up internet package, gives close to 500 children a safer, more conducive environment for learning.
The additional classroom space eases overcrowding, the teachers’ houses support recruitment and retention of qualified staff within the Chipapa Community, and the ablution facility improves sanitation conditions for learners, particularly girls.
World Vision Zambia National Director, Marc Nosbach said the handover at Mphande Primary School reflects the organization’s continued commitment to working alongside partners and government to close gaps children face in accessing quality education.
“Education builds the foundation on which every child shapes a future,” he said. “A safe classroom, a home for a teacher and proper sanitation together form the foundation a child needs to learn and grow.”
He stated that World Vision Zambia and CFAO have built a development relationship spanning 10 years, supporting communities across education, water, sanitation and child well-being.
And CFAO Mobility Chief Executive Officer Dino Bianchi thanked World Vision Zambia for the partnership.
“As AB CFAO, we are proud to have our implementation partner World Vision Zambia on this meaningful project,” Mr. Bianchi stated. “It is World Vision Zambia that identified Mpande School and supervised the construction phase of this project. I believe this is our 8th Project with World Vision Zambia – Thank you, Marc & World Vision Zambia Team.”
He also expressed gratitude to Paratus Zambia for coming on board and supporting with a 1year paid-up internet package to support the learning at Mpande School.
Mr. Bianchi stated that these initiatives represent a significant step forward which goes a long way to help address longstanding challenges in rural education, including limited teaching resources and shortages of specialized teachers. “On-site teacher accommodation will realize improved teacher retention and a reduction in fatigue,” he said.
He reiterated that educated children will help to reduce child marriages, uplift the community and thus build a stronger and more sustainable future for Zambia. “Through digital connectivity, learners are no longer confined by geography. They can access high-quality lessons, benefit from diverse learning resources, and develop essential digital skills for the future,” Mr. Bianchi added.
And Paratus Zambia Country Manager, Neill Nortje, said connectivity is no longer a convenience in education, but that it is a basic requirement. “Mphande Primary School sits well beyond the reach of fibre or mobile broadband, which made satellite the only realistic way to get reliable internet onto this campus,” he said.
He noted that the Starlink donation gives the school the connectivity it needs to function, access to digital learning content, broadcast lessons and examination resources that were previously out of reach simply because of geography.
“As Zambia’s quality network and an authorized Starlink reseller, we understand better than most how much of a difference reliable connectivity makes once it reaches a community that has never had it. We are proud to stand alongside CFAO Mobility and World Vision Zambia in giving the children of Mphande that opportunity,” Nortje added.
