A Southern Vectis vehicle, donated to help provide vital driving training and mechanical maintenance skills to people in Zambia, has arrived safely in its adopted country.
The Go-Ahead Group owned Isle of Wight bus operator gave the coach to the Industrial Training Centre (ITC) in Lusaka as part of its partnership with transport charity Transaid.
Transaid works with partners and governments to solve transport challenges in economically developing countries across the world. In doing so, it enriches lives, ensuring the futures of generations to come – by providing support and training to professional drivers.
Andrew Wickham, Managing Director of Southern Vectis, says:
“Our partner charity, Transaid, backs the ITC by donating skills, funding, and equipment to help the centre deliver its curriculum.
“The ITC is a Zambian government-backed vocational college, providing training on all forms of road transport, but principally lorries, buses and coaches.
“We know that coaches are a vital mode of transport in Zambia because they link very isolated communities via an extensive network of routes. Sadly road traffic accidents are relatively common, and it is important to put that right by helping to improve infrastructure and education. I’m pleased Southern Vectis has been able to play a part in this by donating a vehicle to be used in training.”
The Southern Vectis coach has replaced a 30-year-old obsolete one, and will be put to good use as a training tool. It was joined in Lusaka recently by another donated vehicle, and both were unveiled at an official launch earlier this month.
Caroline Barber, chief executive of Transaid:
“We are incredibly grateful to the Go-Ahead Group for its generous donation to our partner organisation in Zambia. The vehicle will even further enhance standards of training at the ITC, and make a significant impact on the ground.”
Lloyd Mbasela, ITC director, added:
“We are delighted to have received the vehicle. The coach is in excellent condition and a delight to see. Our driving instructors, the rest of the ITC staff and students look forward to achieving the very best with it. Thank you all for your effort and contributions towards this achievement.”
