BGL embarks on major charity project in Zambia

The Peterborough-based BGL Group has announced a major new phase in its £3 million charity commitment. BGL has set itself a £160,000 fundraising target to build a school for children in rural Zambia, in partnership with Build It International.

The new Kabaka Community School will replace makeshift facilities with three classrooms, giving generations of youngsters a safe and permanent place to learn.

Community leaders in Kabaka have welcomed the BGL project, which also gives unskilled adults the chance to learn. During the build, local people will work towards a construction qualification, thereby improving their future employment prospects.

In May 2014, the top 20 fundraisers from the BGL Group will fly to Zambia and spend three days interacting with students at the new school and meeting the wider community.

Peter Winslow, Executive Chairman of the BGL Group, said, ‘One of BGL’s charitable priorities is to provide new infrastructure vital to the health and wellbeing of people in developing countries. Following the great success of our 2013 charity milestone – to build pre-schools and care centres in Guatemala – we have high hopes for this second major international project.

‘BGL employees have a track record of offering tremendous support to worthwhile causes at home and abroad. I’m in no doubt that their determination will raise the funds needed to help improve children’s prospects in rural Zambia.’

Andrew Jowett, Chief Executive of Build It International, said: ‘Thanks to the backing of companies like the BGL Group, our team is making real progress towards tackling the chronic need for basic infrastructure and jobs in sub-Saharan Africa. BGL fundraisers will help to build a new era for children in this Zambian community, providing a school with a fresh water pump, teachers’ accommodation and purpose-built latrines. Building a functional school is the first step in giving children the education they need to escape a life of poverty.’