By Abigail Chaponda in London, United Kingdom
The Zambia Diplomatic Spouses Group (ZDSG) at the Zambia High Commission in London yesterday donated six Sewing Machines to the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust.
Zambia’s First Lady Esther Lungu received the donation on behalf of the Trust. She expressed her gratitude and described the gesture as noble.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde’s wife, Musonda handed over the Sewing Machines to Mrs. Lungu in her capacity as Chairperson of the ZDSG.
“I am really humbled by what you have done. You went out of your way to donate the sewing machines. A lot of women are going to benefit from this. Thank you very much, may God bless you for this gesture,” said the First Lady.
“We are inspired by your work and thought of making a humble contribution the Ester Lungu Foundation Trust. May God continue blessing you and the Foundation,” replied Mrs Chikonde.
The First Lady was in the United Kingdom to attend the SheTrades Global 2018 where she delivered a keynote speech in her capacity as African Woman Entrepreneurs Program (AWEP) Chairperson. This is in recognition for her commitment towards strong advocacy for women empowerment.
The First Lady is the Founder of the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust. Since assuming her tenure as First Lady in 2015, Mrs. Lungu has utilized her distinguished position to reinforce her passion for uplifting the wellbeing of humanity, which work she has been doing for more than 23 years.
Mrs Lungu has levered her position to focus on the economic empowerment of women living in rural and hard to reach areas. She advocates for the empowerment of women and girls; maternal and child health; and for persons with disabilities.
The First Lady has joined global leaders to press for the elimination gender based violence, child marriages and discrimination against persons with disabilities.
Through her Foundation, Mrs. Lungu is co-financing food processing equipment for women in agriculture; low cost boarding houses for girls education; drilling of boreholes for clean drinking water and assistive devices for children with disabilities.
Mrs. Lungu is a member of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV and AIDS, she is also a member of the Stop Cervical and Breast Cancer First Ladies Forum, a patron of the Lafarge Foundation in Zambia and also the patron for SOS Children Villages in Zambia.
