ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH) has donated a total of 670 mosquito nets worth K150,000 to Rufunsa Girls Technical Secondary School pupils. The donation arises from the school’s request for the nets in order to alleviate malaria cases at the school. Rufunsa District currently records one of the highest rates of malaria in Lusaka Province. According to the District’s Health Office, Rufunsa has 400 cases per 1,000 people, making it the highest rate of malaria incidences in Lusaka Province.

The donation was undertaken during the commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day celebrations. Speaking during the event, ZCCM-IH Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer, Ms. Betty Meleki flanked by female employees of ZCCM-IH said the goodwill gesture was undertaken to commemorate the event.   

School Headteacher, Ms Bridget Nambwele expressed her gratitude stating that the intervention was timely and that it will go a long way in malaria prevention amongst pupils at the school. Ms Nambwele further underscored the importance of innovation and technology for gender equality stating that the school uses an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), preparing the girls for critical thinking, problem solving and jobs of the future. She stated that the school has brilliant girls who are passionate about STEM and have won various prizes in inter-school competitions.

Rufunsa is one of the areas of interest where ZCCM-IH is actively undertaking gold exploration activities in Chieftainess Mphanshya area.