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First Lady Mutinta Hichilema has launched the National Centre for Autism in Kabwe, a landmark project under the Stay in School Initiative, designed to provide world-class educational facilities for children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Speaking at the launch and handover ceremony on Thursday, Hichilema hailed the completion of the Mutinta Hichilema Autism and Special Needs Centre, describing it as a testament to broad stakeholder collaboration aimed at improving access to education for children with Autism.
“The journey began with passion and a vision: to create a space where children with Autism and other special needs would feel valued, respected, and capable. Today, with this facility, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering every child, regardless of their condition,” she said.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.
Individuals with ASD often face challenges with social communication, interaction, and repetitive behaviors, while exhibiting unique learning and attention styles.
In Zambia, suitable schools for autistic children remain scarce, often forcing integration with other children facing a variety of special needs.
The First Lady was reportedly inspired to address this gap in September 2022, initiating the development of the autism-focused centre in Kabwe.
The Centre was said to have been made possible through a K600,000 investment by Stanbic Bank Zambia in 2023 as part of its Corporate Social Initiative (CSI) pillars of Community Upliftment and Education.
Additional partners included the Indian Ladies Association, Zhonghui Mining Industry, Lafarge, Trade Kings, and Indo-Zambia Bank, among others.
Handing over the facility to the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Hichilema expressed gratitude to all contributors, saying, “This Centre stands as a symbol of hope and inclusiveness, reaffirming our commitment to providing education for all, especially the marginalised.”
Stanbic Bank Chief Executive, Mwindwa Siakalima, praised the First Lady for her dedication to addressing community challenges, expressing confidence in the Centre’s potential to transform the lives of children with Autism and special needs.
“This Centre is a triumph for all who believe in the transformative power of education—not only for the children in Central Province but nationally and regionally,” Siakalima said.
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