NAPSA SUPPORTS HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS

It is generally accepted that a healthy nation is a healthy one and that education is a great equalizer that gives people from different backgrounds an equal opportunity in life. It is for this reason that the National Pension Scheme Authority attaches great importance to education and health, supporting these and other areas as part of the Authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Authority has invested significant amounts of money supporting various health and educational institutions across the country. Recently, the Authority donated K440,000 to St. Mary’s Secondary School in Kawambwa and Chalabesa Rural Health Center in Kanchibaya district. The school received K240,000 and the health center, through the Little Servants of Mary Immaculate recieved K200,000. For St. Mary’s secondary school, the money was for reconstructing the wall fence around the school which fell due to extreme weather conditions in 2021. The school has since completed the construction works. For Chabelesa Rural Health Centre, the donation was made toward the refurbishment of the maternity wing, the pharmacy, and other areas to give the centre a fresh look. Most of the works have since been completed with just minor ones remaining.

Speaking recently when NAPSA Regional Manager- North and CSR committee member Mr. Mushoke Namiluko visited the two institutions, St. Mary’s School Headmaster, Sister Florence Musawa, expressed her delight and gratitude to NAPSA for the support and gesture of goodwill.  “The school is one of the oldest in the province having opened in 1964. It has served the country and produced hundreds of graduates. However, in 2021 it was faced with a natural disaster that led to the collapse of the wall fence. We are therefore very thankful to NAPSA for this timely intervention. This will give the girls a sense of safety and security thereby creating a conducive learning environment”, she said.  Kawambwa District Commissioner, Mr. Fredrick Chilambwa also commended NAPSA and urged the Authority to uphold its patriotism and commitment to the local communities in providing social protection even through CSR.  “This gesture in itself is social protection because it gives the girls physical protection at school,” he said.

Meanwhile, the sister in charge at Chabalesa Rural Health Center, Sister Nakaponda thanked the Authority for the donation which she said would go a long way in uplifting the standards of healthcare at the facility.  “It is very encouraging for us to provide our services to the people in a clean environment. This will motivate the staff and urge them to do their best. As for our clients, they can now deliver and be attended to in a very conducive environment,” said Sister Nakaponda.

The Regional Manager – North reiterated the Authority’s commitment to uplifting the standards of living of the people in communities by supporting various causes that benefit the community.  “We recognize that health and education are key elements to economic development, and we pay particular attention to these aspects in our CSR program which encompasses other aspects such as environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, community welfare and sports, arts and culture”, said Mr. Namiluko.