By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwita has commended an initiative by a Zambian in Germany to market Zambia’s tourism among her kindergarten students.
Mr Mukwita has commended Pastor Roselyn Kiwala, a Kindergarten school teacher of Be Smart Academy in Berlin for incorporating Zambia’s tourism endowments in the material that she uses as teaching aides.
He said the initiative by Pastor Kiwala underscores the importance of the diaspora policy launched last year by government which recognizes the role played by Zambians living abroad in national development.
Mr Mukwita said the policy seeks among other things to systematically tap into the expertise of the diaspora for purposes of enhancing government development efforts.
He said the government of Zambia has prioritized tourism in its development agenda and recognizes the strategic role that the diaspora could play in realizing government set goals.
Mr Mukwita on Monday assigned First Secretary – Tourism, Naomi Keck to visit Pastor Kiwala’s school to deliver tourism promotional material to the Kindergarten school and interact with students and teachers.
Ms Keck shared the material with the children which included magazines and brochures depicting the diversity of Zambia’s tourism ranging from wildlife, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and historical sites.
“From my experience, children tend to make connections based on what is familiar to them. So, story and presentations about Zambia will help children influence their parents to visit Zambia.
“Noting that the class consisted of children from different parts of the world representing different countries, cultures and traditions, the Tourism Secretary told the children that they were in essence citizens of the world and needed to see one another as one, “ she said.
Pastor Kiwala, a Zambian married to a German husband, has taught her kindergarten students a number of Zambian traditions that include how Zambian mothers carry their babies, the games and songs Zambian children play among many others.
With 17 children under her care, Pastor Kiwala has been at the school for ten years. “I have literally raised some of these children as they were brought here when they were very little and I would bear them on my back as Zambian women do their own babies”, Pastor Kiwala said.
There are 585 Zambians in Germany involved in a variety of fields that range from education, IT, aviation, and commerce, among others.
This is contained in a statement issued in Berlin by first secretary for press and Public Relations Kellys Kaunda.
