In collaboration with Bicycle Relief and other partners, World Vision Zambia hosted the second edition of the Corporate Fundraising Sports Day under the Strong Girls Strong Zambia Campaign. The event held at the Athletico Sports Complex in Lusaka aimed to raise resources for purchasing 200 bicycles for vulnerable girls in rural areas.

Companies and organizations rallied behind this noble cause, signing up eagerly to participate. Among the contenders were Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Toyota Zambia, both committed to supporting girls’ empowerment. In an intense men's football final between the two, Liquid Intelligent Technologies emerged victorious.

The event was characterized by various sports activities including Chief Executive Officers Race, men's and women's Football, and children's egg race.

During the closing ceremony, Mark Townsend, Managing Director of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to something greater than themselves.

“This sports day symbolized a commitment to empowering vulnerable girls through the gift of bicycles. I am very excited about the opportunity provided by World Vision Zambia for us to contribute to this cause because collectively, we are giving girls an opportunity to get educated and later transform their communities,” said Mr. Townsend.

CFAO Motors, Nissan Zambia, Madison General Insurance Zambia Limited, NATSAVE, Continuum, VisionFund Zambia, and World Bicycle Relief notably supported the event.

On behalf of National Director John Hasse, World Vision Zambia People and Culture Director Ngoza Kabaso expressed appreciation to the partners.

“We are joyous this afternoon because we see the light and hope for the vulnerable whose chance to get an education was curtailed by the long distance to school,” said Ms Ngoza. "We truly appreciate the commitment and desire to contribute to the well-being of over 2000 girls through this initiative under the Strong Girls, Strong Zambia campaign.”

She further said World Vision believed in the power of education to break the cycle of poverty.

“At World Vision Zambia, we believe that with an education, any individual has an opportunity to break free of poverty. With these bicycles, we are making education more accessible to girls in rural areas. This initiative will help them stay in school, achieve better academic results, and eventually pursue their dreams,” she said.

Meanwhile, World Bicycle Relief Country Manager Brian Moonga, a key partner in the bicycle fundraiser, stressed the importance of partnerships in shaping Zambia’s future.

“Our partnership with World Vision Zambia is about more than just providing bicycles. It's about giving these girls the tools they need to succeed. With reliable transportation, they can attend school regularly, participate fully in their education, and have the opportunity to excel," said Mr Moonga.

World Vision Zambia launched the Strong Girls, Strong Zambia campaign in 2022 to offer educational support to 15,000 girls retrieved from child marriage or at risk so that they could live fuller, healthier, and safer lives.

The campaign will provide practical and sustainable solutions by supporting the education of vulnerable girls in different parts of Zambia. Several partners joined World Vision Zambia in the past year to raise funds to support the campaign by providing school requirements, constructing classroom space, dormitories, and ablution blocks, and empowering vulnerable girls’ households.

Under the same campaign, the organization launched the bicycle fundraiser in December 2023 to raise resources to procure 2,000 bicycles for vulnerable children in rural parts of Zambia.