Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia – CCBZ has reiterated its commitment to building economic inclusion and sustainability solutions that benefit its stakeholders, particularly, the communities in which it operates in.
Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia (CCBZ) has handed over 10, 000 books to the Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) which will support several rural community schools with over 2000 learners expected to benefit.
Speaking during the official handover of 10, 000 books to the Zambia Open Community Schools – ZOCS, attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, CCBZ Public Affairs Communication and Sustainability Director, Fronscen Haloba-Chisanga, said the donation is in line with CCBZ’s commitment to building economic inclusion and sustainability solutions that benefit the stakeholders, particularly, the communities in which CCBZ is invested.
Chisanga said the A4 hardcover exercise books will help the students in community schools manage their schoolwork and support the community schools.
“At CCBZ, we use our industry leadership to be part of the solution for positive change on the African continent. We aim to create greater shared opportunities for the business and the communities we serve across the value chain.”
Chisanga said CCBZ understands that the business can only thrive when the communities they serve thrive too.
CCBZ reaffirmed that it will continue to focus on creating a better-shared future and enhancing livelihoods, resulting in increased economic value and capability for communities and the business system.
Meanwhile, ZOCS sincerely thanked its all-weather partner Coca-Cola Zambia for choosing to invest in education and address the educational gaps the country is currently facing.
Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) was established in 1992 and has since gained its status as a flagship local organization that empowers communities to provide quality basic education to learners across the country in all 10 provinces.
Speaking when he received the 10, 000 books donated by CCBZ at Lusaka West Plant, ZOCS Executive Director, Cleopatra Chona represented by Arizona Kakole Educational Adviser, said the partnership with Coca-Cola Zambia will support several rural community schools with donated books and is set to benefit over 2000 learners.
He noted that in 2022/23, the partnership between Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) and Coca-Cola Zambia resulted in significant donations of 10,000 exercise books to 10 community schools (Sianzala, Mayuwa, Konkola Lower, Kalama, Ngwezi, Chifumbi, Mabanga, Nziba, Mabanze and Nanjiili) in Mazabuka district, Southern Province. “These donations benefited 2475 learners. The impact of these donations was positive, addressing challenges in meeting school requisites.”
“This year, the partnership will contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG – 4) on education by providing school requisites that contribute to the transformative effect of quality education for all children.”
He added that “by providing these community schools books, the following is expected to be achieved: Foster a love for learning – this will encourage a positive attitude toward education by demonstrating the value of school supplies and their impact on learning outcomes. Retain children in school- this will ensure that children have the necessary supplies to pursue education effectively.”
“We sincerely thank our all-weather partner Coca-Cola Zambia for choosing to invest in education and address the educational gaps in the country. We believe that this success can be scaled up to more schools across the country.” He said.
