In 2020, with generous support from our corporate partner BGL Group, we completed our build project at Naluyanda Community School on the northern outskirts of Lusaka.
On 7 April 2021 we held a virtual event to mark the official opening of the new facilities.
Each year 15 members of staff from BGL, affectionally nicknamed the ZamFam, are chosen to go to Zambia to visit the latest project the organisation has supported.
Sadly the COVID-19 pandemic meant that this year’s ZamFam were unable to make the trip. So instead, we brought Zambia to them as our Chief Executive, Andrew Jowett explains:
“As travel to Zambia is not possible at the moment, the community at Naluyanda School wanted to find another way to show their appreciation to the ZamFam2020 and everyone at BGL.
The answer was an exciting live broadcast – a Build It first! There was a tour of the school, children singing and sharing games, story reading and more. We were thrilled to give a glimpse into the life of the school, and show what a huge difference the project is making to over 800 children.”
Celebrations started with the singing of the national anthem
Beauty Daka, Headteacher at Naluyanda Primary School shared a few words:
“On behalf of the school, I would like to pass my heartfelt gratitude to BGL and Build It International. With your support we now have a strong room, where examination papers are stored for final examination classes.
Because the school now has a strong room, it has been upgraded by Ministry of Education to an examination centre. This has made a big improvement – our pupils now do not have to walk long distances to write their exams. Thank you.”
Following the investment in the school, Naluyanda Community School has been upgraded to Naluyanda Primary School. Pupil enrolment numbers have dramatically increased from 300 children to over 800 children. There has also been an increase in teachers, from four when our work started at the school, to 14 teachers.
Songs and games from the new classrooms
Emily Taylor, CSR Specialist at BGL Group said:
“BGL has a long-standing relationship with Build It. Colleagues from across the Group have impacted the lives of so many children in the communities we have supported over the years. It’s disappointing the ZamFam were unable to visit in person, but I hope the virtual activities were able to bring them that little bit closer to the Naluyanda community and see first-hand the difference this project has made.”
A special thank you to members of the ZamFam
A guided tour by Build It’s Senior Community Development Officer Jones Samwenda
Thank you for your support, together we are #BuildingBrighterFutures in Zambia.
