In the footsteps of Jan Wyżykowski - KGHM volunteers with an educational programme for pre-school and school children in the Copper Belt

Volunteers from KGHM are teaching the youngest inhabitants of the Copper Belt about the history and recalling the figure of the eminent engineer and discoverer of copper deposits - Jan Wyżykowski. Thanks to funds from the copper giant, an original educational programme implemented in kindergartens and schools in the region was financed.

The occasion for the inauguration of the project is the upcoming biggest celebration of all miners, the Barbórka holiday.

- Bringing primary school pupils closer to the character of Jan Wyżykowski is the primary objective of KGHM's new volunteer programme. Special classes have been planned primarily at institutions under the patronage of this eminent scientist, thanks to whom the Copper Belt and KGHM are unique places on the map of Poland and the world - said Sylwia Jurgiel, spokesperson for KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

One of the first lessons with KGHM volunteers took place in mid-November at a primary school in Siedlce. Another one at School No. 8 in Lubin, which was named after Jan Wyżykowski 20 years ago. It was the first facility in the Copper Belt to be named after him. The ceremony was then attended by Kazimiera Wyżykowska, the discoverer's wife, and his close associate Andrzej Rydzewski. In total, as many as 1,500 kindergarten and grade 3-8 pupils from Copper Belt schools will take part in the activities.

During the meetings, children learn about Jan Wyżykowski's biography, told in an interesting form by volunteers. One of the highlights is the opportunity to see the original school certificate of a prominent geologist. It will probably come as no surprise to anyone that Jan Wyżykowski received very good grades.

- I have been involved with KGHM for almost 40 years and I know very well how great an impact the discovery of deposits has had on our region. I decided to share my knowledge with the youngest and, in the form of a game, give them as much content as possible about the discovery of copper and the current activities of KGHM. It is a pictorial way of providing the youngest with a compendium of knowledge about Jan Wyżykowski's activities - says Jan Demczak, initiator of the programme and KGHM volunteer.

The story of the Copper Belt and the changes that occurred after the discovery of the copper deposits also forms the backdrop to the classes. To draw the children into the story, trees are 'planted' in the room. Then, with the help of drill rigs made by volunteers, symbolic test drillings take place and the children are given directions on which direction they should look for the deposit. After more attempts, the children find copper ore. Here, a tower of blocks is built and the children go to stations where they don aprons, similar to those worn by Jan Wyżykowski, and are given accessories - strainers, magnifying glasses and test tubes to sift through the excavated material.

During the workshop, KGHM volunteers highlight the company's commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection. Children are planting trees around the fictional shaft, beehives are being erected and filters are being put on chimneys. This links the past with the present and makes students aware of the importance of Jan Wyżykowski's discovery, as well as pointing out KGHM's pro-environmental activities.