By Isaac Kambwiri, contributor:
Alliance One Tobacco, in collaboration with Pyxus Agriculture Limited, has increased the sponsorship package for the Chess School Project from K28 million to K34 million.
The project is being implemented by Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) in some primary schools.
The number of participating schools, which are based in the Central and Northern regions, has also been increased from 21 to 34.
Chessam, in collaboration with the two companies, launched the project some four years ago, when it was pegged at K2.1 million, as a pilot initiative in two primary schools in Dowa District.
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Speaking during this year’s financial sponsorship signing agreement in Lilongwe on Friday, Alliance One Tobacco Malawi Corporate Affairs Director Febbie Chikungwa said the chess sponsorship was one of her company’s flagship projects.
“In promoting education, we complement several of our other initiatives that aim to eliminate child labour. Since the project’s inception in 2021, we have seen students developing self-confidence, analytical, social and emotional skills. As we expand the project to reach more primary schools, our focus is on sustainability. We have, therefore, invested in training home-ground trainers and coaches who are based in all the 34 schools,” Chikungwa said.
Chikungwa said most of the learners who have benefitted from the chess programme have been performing well in local and international chess tournaments.
“We have committed ourselves to continue supporting Chessam because our aim is to eradicate the probability of children getting involved in issues of child labour in tobacco-growing areas, especially after school hours,” Chikungwa said.
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In his remarks, Chessam Vice President Francis Kudzula said increasing the package would allow his association to continue drilling more learners and sports matrons.
“Let me commend management of the two companies for their commitment to continue sponsoring this programme,” Kudzula said.
Some of the rural-based primary schools where the project is being implemented include Chafisi in Mzimba District as well as Chiundila and Chunzu in Dowa.
