Donata School for the Disabled is the only school for 100 miles to provide specialist education for children with disabilities. In Zambia families tend to focus their limited resources on their able-bodied children, and with limited educational facilities disabled children have few opportunities. The school is currently attended by over 35 children with meals provided for all children, but demand is much higher.

The school was established in 2004 to provide specialist pre-school and primary education support for children with a wide range of mental and physical disabilities, and is run by the inspirational Donata Kalanga, who is physically disabled herself. In 2010 Donata asked Build IT for help with a new building as the school is being forced to move out of its current rented premises. It is hard to say no to Donata, so we got to work, involving the children, teachers and local community in the design workshops.

The new building incorporates design features such as wider doors, ramps, hand-rails, quiet space and good acoustics. Critically, a permanent facility will trigger Government support, including trained specialist teachers, from the Ministry of Education.

Learn more about the school by visiting their website.