A group of corporate partners from the haulage industry recently funded their visit to witness Transaid’s initiatives in Zambia. Their journey emphasised the significant regional impacts of two critical projects focused on health and road safety.
- The visit comprised an extensive 500-mile route across rural districts, enabling participants to directly engage with local partners while observing outstanding works in maternal health and malaria prevention.
- During their itinerary, they participated in a strategic meeting with the Minister of Science and Technology, Felix Mutati, fostering international collaboration and dialogue.
- Professional development sessions at Lusaka’s Industrial Training Centre were part of the agenda, supporting Transaid’s longstanding commitment to driver training.
- Key business leaders delivered tailored training and shared their expertise, significantly contributing to strengthening local capacities and partnerships.
In a self-funded visit to Zambia, a dozen corporate partners associated with Transaid embarked on a profound journey into the country’s rural areas, particularly the Serenje and Chitambo Districts. This trip was a crucial opportunity to meet with local stakeholders and witness first-hand the life-altering impacts of Transaid’s health and road safety projects. By traversing a challenging 500-mile round trip, the participants could evaluate the effectiveness of maternal health and malaria projects in rural communities.
In Lusaka, the group attended an insightful meeting with Felix Mutati, the Minister of Science and Technology. This encounter provided a platform for exchange, allowing the visitors to grasp the overarching initiatives supported by Transaid. Here, high-level discussions were central to exploring further collaborations and reinforcing international partnerships that could yield beneficial outcomes for Zambia.
The Industrial Training Centre (ITC) in Lusaka played a pivotal role during the visit. For 16 years, Transaid has been a proponent of professional driver training, and this visit underscored their ongoing efforts. Some delegates participated in delivering training themselves. Notably, Matthew Kibble shared expertise through lectures, mirroring his previous experience in Tanzania. This knowledge exchange was invaluable for enhancing local training capabilities and fortifying educational frameworks.
Financial capacities and administrative efficiencies were also a focus during the visit. Chris Slater, RHA finance director, collaborated closely with the ITC’s finance team. His engagement aimed at refining financial processes within the institution, thereby ensuring sustainable and well-managed growth.
Participant experiences reflected a spectrum of professional insights and personal reflections. As articulated by Jim Haldane of the Malcolm Group, the visit was emotionally resonant and eye-opening. Such experiences underline the necessity of on-ground understanding and advocacy in promoting impactful support avenues.
The representation from various industry partners, including Wincanton, Brigade Electronics, and Michelin, highlighted the broad spectrum of support and expertise converging under Transaid’s mission. Each participant played a part in fostering stronger connections and exploring joint initiatives that could drive positive change.
The visit to Zambia successfully highlighted Transaid’s vital and transformative contributions to health and professional development.
