Handover Ceremony of Solwezi Academy Learning Centre to Congregation of the Immaculate Conception Zambia

　 　

On 19th September 2016, H.E. Mr. Kiyoshi Koinuma, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, handed over Solwezi Academy Learning Centre for Visually and Hearing Impaired Special Needs Children to Congregation of the Immaculate Conception Zambia (CIC). This project was implemented through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project with the grant amounting to 100,029 US Dollars. Dignitaries present at this event included H.E. Mr. Kiyoshi Koinuma, Right Reverend Charles Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi, Mr. Mateo Ephraim, Permanent Secretary - North Western Province, Mr. Chishiko Steven, Provincial Education Officer and Sister Nirmara Savarimuthu, CIC Mission Superior.
 
CIC started their social contribution work in Zambia in 1994, focusing on education, social and medical services. Now, it operates an orphanage in Lusaka, a girls’ high school in Mazabuka, and the Business and Secretarial College in Kasiya. Also, since 1999, CIC has been providing special education for hearing- impaired children in Ikelenge, North Western Province.
 
The demand for special schools for Children with Special Educational Needs is high, and with CIC operating special education units in North Western Province, the residents as well as Government have requested for an expansion of their project. Therefore, the Government of Japan assisted the project to construct the new learning centre through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project.
 
The new learning centre consists of three classrooms and other necessary facilities for children living with disabilities. It is expected that more children living with disabilities will be able to access appropriate education and will grow up to be independent individuals in future.

　To read the speech made by H.E. Mr. Kiyoshi Koinuma, Ambassador of Japan to Zambia at this ceremony, please click here.