By JOHN SAKALA
Christmas has come early for Chingola Teachers who were in surprise Presidential Empowerment Fund (PEF) bonanza yesterday.
The teachers had asked Chingola Member of Parliament Mathew Nkhuwa to lobby for them for the PEF so that they can start various business ventures as cooperatives.
As per guideline, the 10-Teacher Copperatives got registered and layed in wait to benefit from the hand of the President.
And yesteday, President Edgar Lungu dispatched Mr Nkhuwa to deliver the money on his behalf.
The President said the money should be used meticulously by the Teachers to improve their living standards.
He said most of the teachers in Zambia have taken the path of borrowing from money lending institutions and shylocks, the situation he said has affected them both at home and at work.
“This is seed money, meaning it is never too little. Let us sow it so that we can harvest hundred folds. Money is never little but ideas can be.
“Venture into your area of business and grow so that out of the over 500 of you, the beneficiaries chain trickles down to many. Money cannot be enough and others may be complaining that they haven’t benefited but you who have, must never break the chain. We can not empower everyone at once but we shall continue empowering our people in all sectors,” he said.
And in receiving the money on behalf of the 10-Teacher Copperatives, Chabanyama combined School Teacher Chamoto Sakala thanked the head of state through Mr Nkhuwa.
In a vote of thanks Muleya Teachers Cooperative Vice Chairperson Alice Mutema assured the President that the money will be sown.
Ms Mutema said the 10 cooperatives will be involved in various business ventures according to their plan.
She said some will be involved in stationary while others will go into poultry farming.
