Gemfields Foundation equips Chapula Secondary School with 20 computers

Gemfields Foundation, the charitable arm of Kagem’s majority owner and operator Gemfields, has provided Chapula Secondary School, in Lufwanyama, with 20 computers in its effort to enhance digital literacy and information and communications technology related skills among pupils and future professionals. Additionally, Kagem has funded and arranged the provision of internet access. 
The Raspberry Pi computers are known for their user-friendly operating system and ability to enable users, of all ages, to explore computing and programming which is especially useful in a school setting.  
This provision forms part of Kagem and Gemfields’ commitment to help raise ICT standards in the Lufwanyama community and aid local people’s access to the digital world.  
“Lufwanyama is facing many challenges, among them, low levels of digital literacy. In an increasingly technological world, it is important that people from rural areas are well-versed in modern technologies and understand how to use them to make their lives easier,” explained Kagem’s Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs, Wesley Chibamba. 
Chapula Secondary School’s ICT teacher Aaron Sikwese added that the new computers would allow the school to expand its computer studies curriculum and successfully execute the new ICT policy that had been implemented across the country: “I am thrilled that we are now able to get started on our computer programming classes, which I believe will give the students access to a fast-paced creative world that holds vast opportunities and possibilities,” he said. 
“Upon completion of their studies, a variety of careers in ICT fields will be open to graduates. They might work as coders, run internet cafes or do computer maintenance,” added Aaaron Sikwese. 
Mr Sikwese further informed of the school’s newly introduced ICT club which would be able to train members more efficiently and prepare them to participate in inter-school ICT competitions and fairs.  
Chapula Secondary School was constructed with funding provided by Kagem in 2017, and the school continues to receive support from the mine to maintain its academic capacity and provide students with necessary resources.

Kagem has also supported the construction of buildings at Chapula Primary School, Kapila Primary School and Masasa Primary School. 
This is the second project of computers funded by Gemfields Foundation, as it follows the inauguration of a computer lab at Montepuez Secondary School in Mozambique, last November.