"EXPERIENCE ZAMBIA"

^{To all ZAMCAN members:}

^{On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you all for expressing confidence in electing me to the Board as the new ZAMCAN President. I am deeply indebted to you all, to Mr. Sichilima, the outgoing president, and to the old and the new Board. Serving in the ZAMCAN Board has always been a pleasure for me and my colleagues. However, it comes with a price for the sacrifices we make in terms of time, transport costs, energy and event management. In this regard, it is important for me, from the outset, to ask you in advance to bear with us where we may not perform to your satisfaction. With a little help and support from you, this journey may prove to be both exciting and adventurous for all of us.}

^{"Experience Zambia"}

^{During these two years of our tenure, I am proposing to run with the theme: "Experience Zambia!" Immediately on the table we have the meeting with the Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Kabinga Pande, on May 13th, 2010; the Potluck/BBQ in July; the Independence Party celebrations in October; and the Children’s Christmas Party in December. Coupled with these, will be our usual improvements to our website, and the expansion of our Internet presence through Facebook.}

^{"Zambia Day"}

^{And for the first time again, we would like to hold what shall be called the ZAMBIA DAY, where we may come together and have a feast exclusive on Zambian dishes prepared by our lady-folk while our men narrate some Zambian folklore to the relaxing rhythms of Zambian music. We would like to host this event at a community hall where everyone may have a chance to participate. This may take place somewhere between November and December, 2010.}

^Targets

^{This year, we have three main targets. First, constitutional adoption: The new ZAMCAN Constitution was presented at the AGM held on April 24th, 2010, and was in principle adopted pending a 30-day period of final revision. In the following days we will send out a copy of the constitution for your review. After 30 days, from the day it will be circulated, the constitution will be adopted. We will need this new Corporations Act compliant constitution to register ZAMCAN as a federal Charity.}

^{Second, registration of ZAMCAN as a federal Charity: as mentioned above, we will need the constitution to register ZAMCAN as a federal Charity. This project was undertaken by the previous Board. As a Charity, ZAMCAN will acquire several benefits including the issuance of receipts to donors for tax-return purposes, and eligibility to receive gifts from other registered Charities. Moreover, it will help us in our skills centre creation.}

^{Third, launch of a building fund: consequent to number two above, this year, we intend to take the first step towards the building of the Zambia Skills Centre. This was agreed upon by the Board as a long term strategy under the ZAMCAN Strategic Plan: Eye to the Future. The centre would provide "skills development, youth empowerment, immigration services, and language translation services." Specifically, we shall set up a separate savings account called Building Fund. Deposits shall be made regularly to this account following fundraising ventures, donations and building fund solicitations, and so on, from time to time. Subsequent Boards will build upon this momentum and eventually leading to the realization of this noble dream.}

^{Meanwhile, the Foundation will be exploring the possibility of getting funding from the government for activities catering to the changing demands of the community. We appeal to all who may know of government awards, grants or contracts that further community interests to generously put them forward to the Board.}

^{Youth Participation}

^{Following the Potluck/BBQ, we would like to meet with the ZAMCAN youth for the first time and chat the way forward. This may take place sometimes in August, 2010.}

^{The young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow. From any culture and in any language this statement is taken as fact. For us, however, its importance lies in the fact that we have a history of mobility. We have both an origination and a destination. We have made a choice to live in Canada, a land we have adopted as our own. We have also an originating home, Zambia, where the bulk of our relatives live. In this regard, we have a dual duty, to develop and build capacity here, and to contribute to the well-being of our people there.}

^{But we have an even bigger role. We must not lose our precious customs, cultures, and important traditions which make us distinct as Zambians, Zambian Canadians, and Zambians living, working or studying in Canada. Under the theme of "Experience Zambia," we are NOT advocating living in Canada as though we are in Zambia. We are, rather, insisting that we live in Canada happily while at the same time appreciating the vitality of our originating nation and its values. Our youth are our asset. Involving them in the administration of ZAMCAN and in the activities of the Foundation will cause them to appreciate their roots, and those of their parents. It will also act as a bridge to the future - the future in which they will be the leaders of ZAMCAN!}

^{In furtherance of the youth agenda, the Foundation has had a rare opportunity to receive an offer of a scholarship ($500 - $1000) from the Masomo Foundation. The modalities of how this scholarship is awarded to a deserving youth or youths will be communicated to the community in due course.}

^{Making ZAMCAN More Representative}

^{On March 28th, 2010, His Excellency the Zambian High Commissioner to Canada, Dr. Nevers Mumba, addressed the Zambian community across this vast country of Canada. Prior to this address, on March 21st, 2010, various leaders of Zambian associations across Canada had an Internet radio discussion. One of the hot issues discussed was the creation of one mother body representing all the fragment associations across the country. This was reiterated at a cross-table meeting between the Board and the High Commissioner on March 26th, 2010.}

^{The ZAMCAN Board recognizes the importance of having such a body. This issue was brainstormed further at the April 24th, 2010, AGM. At the AGM, and also during his four-minute address to the Zambian associations on Internet radio on March 21st, 2010, Dr. Sikaneta, the ZAMCAN patron, recapped the spirit under which  ZAMCAN was initiated ten years ago. ZAMCAN was formed with the whole community of Zambians in mind. However, as the Zambian community has expanded and many more associations have been established in various provinces across Canada, it is befitting that such a body be created. Immediately upon my election to the ZAMCAN presidency, I asked Dr. Sikaneta to look into this issue. Following his discussion with other concerned Zambian association leaders, in particular with Dr. Mutambo from British Columbia, the following four points have been presented to the new Board pending further debate:}

^{1.  Making Zambians outside Ontario feel included in the governance structure (constitution) of the ZAMCAN Foundation;}

^{2.  Setting up a functional/operational model which will ensure timely and effective implementation of actions to deal with local community and sometimes urgent issues;}

^{3.  Developing a funding structure which is fair and appropriate for the running of the ZAMCAN Foundation while providing adequately for local needs; and}

^{4.  Establishing a clear delineation of responsibilities for the national body and what local communities, including Ontario, will do for themselves.}

^{At an appropriate time, the Board will discuss these four points promptly and come up with a proposal. The proposal will be made available to both the High Commissioner and to all Zambian associations across Canada for their consideration. The proposal of the Board will provide the basis for further discussion. It is our hope that after this exercise, we shall come up with a unified resolution on the best way to transform ZAMCAN into a Foundation representative of all Zambian associations in Canada.}

^{Zambia’s 46th Independence Anniversary Celebrations}

^{This year’s Independence Party celebration is special. It is also ZAMCAN’S 10th Anniversary. Among the activities we propose to include in this year’s celebrations are: A Zambian Independence Play performed by the youth; a MISS ZAMCAN BEAUTY PEAGENT; and a presentation of medals to previous ZAMCAN presidents (or chairpersons as they used to be called). This year’s presentation of medals will be only the first. Next year, we shall honour all Zambians who served in other capacities in the Board, and those who are making a difference in our community in terms of leadership, business, entrepreneurial or professional and other achievements.}

^{With your support and enthusiastic participation, many, if not all, of these proposals may be achieved. On behalf of the Board, I thank you.}

^{Charles Mwewa}

^{ZAMCAN President}