•Young boys in class during the Camp ELITE at Trident College in Solwezi recently.

THE commitment by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) to true tenets of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in areas they operate is a blessing to the people of North-Western Province.
It is good to note that more people in the province, are benefitting from FQM’s benevolence because the mining company has gone beyond its catchment area in rolling out social investment activities; in some cases roping in beneficiaries from far-flung areas of the mineral-rich region. In demonstrating such commitment to the local people, FQM has proved to be an invaluable corporate citizen. MARTIN MUSUNKA reports…
FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) recently partnered with the United States Peace Corps to bring together schoolboys and their teachers from most parts of North-Western Province for a five-day camp called Empowering Leaders in Training and Equality (ELITE).
Drawn from Solwezi, Ikeleng’i, Mwinilunga, Kasempa, and Mufumbwe Districts, the 75 young men and 15 teachers were at Trident College in Solwezi from August 19-24, for the 2014 ELITE Camp, designed for young boys to be enlightened on issues of HIV/AIDS, gender equality, leadership and goal-setting.
Camp ELITE is structured in a unique manner, enabling participants to partake in their preferred sports disciplines, while being educated about challenging life topics. Using the sports platform, Camp ELITE organisers have a purpose to help groom a new generation of male leaders.
The objective is often achieved because combining a football camp with a camp designed to educate peer leaders on issues of HIV/AIDS and gender equality, the lecturers and mentors teach male youths on difficult topics in a comfortable and accessible atmosphere.
For these activities to take root, Camp ELITE officials need to find a committed partner who would ease the burden of hosting the participants. The FQM Health Team came in handy, laid the ground work and facilitated the major components of the 2014 Camp ELITE.
This helped fulfill the group’s vision of camping talented male youths from surrounding areas who would in turn influence their respective villages.
During the Zambian version of Camp ELITE in Solwezi, local facilitators along with American Peace Corps volunteers facilitated the five-day long camp to foster an atmosphere of teamwork and learning.
To avoid rigidity in the camp and learning processes, Zambia’s Chipolopolo defender, Jimmy Chisenga was on hand to take up the responsibility on the football pitch.
The idea of using football was to exemplify the qualities that make a successful man.
Attendees were, after all was said and done, equipped with the tools to return to their communities as leaders and educators.
NETWORK
The assets of the Camp ELITE include a network of Peace Corps volunteers with unique talents, talented and devoted facilitators, strong football culture, organised community leadership, connections with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other organisations and community understanding.
At the end of the camp week, the goal to have successfully trained young males on issues regarding life skills, HIV/AIDS, and gender equality was achieved.
“These skills will be taken home to their communities and taught in a similar style to locals.
Along with educating pupils, teachers and football coaches were trained on how to incorporate life skills, HIV/AIDS, and gender equality into their standard football practices.
The attendees also left with increased football skills, self-esteem, and motivation,” according to Camp ELITE Coordinator Benjamin Joslin.
The whole venture did not just end there: the United States Peace Corps recognised the support that FQM rendered to the 2014 Camp ELITE to yield success.
In his letter dated August 27, Joslin says his organisation was thankful to FQM for the support, hard work and generosity in preparing for and running the 2014 Camp ELITE.
Joslin is confident that the lessons learnt from Camp ELITE regarding HIV/AIDS, gender equality, leadership, and goal-setting would be passed on to other young men in their villages.
“Holding the 2014 Camp ELITE at the Solwezi Trident College brought this programme to a higher level and provided a greater experience for all of those who attended.
Your support in funding housing and meals gave these young men an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“Coming from the most rural villages, I am sure they were shocked to sleep in real beds, bathe in hot showers, and eat delicious meals three times a day! Thanks to our partnership, the campers had the opportunity to learn in state of the art classrooms, utilise all facilities for their studies, and practice on a pristine football pitch,” Mr Joslin says in his Thank You letter to FQM.
“The most memorable part of Camp ELITE 2014 was FQM’s sponsorship of a Zambian National Football Team’s defender at the camp. Jimmy Chisenga, the number two defender for the Chipolopolo, is one of the team’s youngest and smallest players. Still, his skill on the field and difficult upbringing made him the perfect candidate to inspire the campers,” he explained.
He singled out a member of the FQM Health Team, Marcus Chisanga, to whom he extended special recognition for being instrumental in the planning and implantation of transport, lodging, meals, facilitating for the special guest, and ordering T-shirts.
Mr Chisanga, who was humbled on being singled out for his hard work in putting together the 2014 Camp ELITE, said the FQM Health Department collectively deserved kudos because all positive results are accomplished through team-work, which was the foundation of his section’s success in all activities.
He, however, said he was particularly elated with the positive response from the invited participants and teachers throughout the camp period.
He said participants were attentive during the week-long programme and expected the lessons to be rolled out to others who did not attend.- Feature courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.